Parts & Projects: Arkansas' Reynolds Collection

Down a rarely traveled dead-end gravel road just outside the small town of Centerville, Ark., is what appears to be a shuttered salvage yard overtaken by trees and brush. Appearances can be misleading, and that is the case with this forgotten-looking salvage yard, which has many vintage vehicles and parts available for purchase.

W. L. “Bill” Reynolds started collecting worn-out vehicles when he was a teenager. He loved cars and learned how to work on them and soon opened a garage where customers often brought vehicles for repair. As time went on, the collection of worn-out vehicles increased to the point a salvage yard developed. After Reynolds passed away in early 2022, his wife and their son, Doug, continued to operate the yard on a part-time basis without regular hours. Yard maintenance was put on the back burner except for the access lanes, hence its abandoned appearance.

We found about 200 vehicles in the yard, mostly from the 1950s through the 1970s. There is a row of air-cooled Volkswagen Beetles that would make great parts cars, and there may even be a project or two in the bunch. We found at least two dozen Chevy LUV and early S-10 pickup trucks, including several with four-wheel drive and/or diesel engines. There is a row of a half-dozen 1947-’53 Chevy pickups. Other collectible vehicles noted include a Datsun 280Z, a Bronco, two Camaros, Geo Trackers and a pair of Opel Olympia station wagons that are best suited for parts. A couple of ski boats from the 1960s are in the yard, including one that has a Chrysler 45 outboard motor.

We noticed several Falcons in the yard, including this 1965 four-door sedan. There is another ’65 sedan down the row that is white with a red spear. Both have good trim and interior parts

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Doug and his mother have recently decided that they would like to dispose of the vintage vehicles. If a part is needed off certain vehicles, and the buyer has the tools and skill to remove it, removal can be completed by the buyer. Doug does not remove or ship parts or ship vehicles.

The vehicles are located on an overgrown prairie that is flat and does not drain well, so removing and loading vehicles after a prolonged rainy period or during some winter months might be impossible. We visited the premises on a late-spring day and found standing water, so if visiting during a rainy period, wear waterproof boots. Be aware that many of the vehicles are hard to access due to the brush and trees that have grown around them, plus some are parked very close together.

The yard is open by appointment only and is closed to un-escorted browsing. Doug advises that if you are found on the premises without permission, you will be asked to leave in no uncertain terms and will lose the chance to purchase a vehicle or parts. “Keep Out” signs are visible from the gravel road fronting the property to serve as a warning.

Call Doug Reynolds’s number below to plan a visit or to inquire about vehicles.

Reynolds Collection
10404 Community Road
Dardanelle, AR 72834
479-264-4269

Covered with junk is a 1981 Chevy Citation sedan. Citations seem to be seldom seen in salvage yards anymore, even though Chevrolet’s first front-wheel-drive car was the number-one selling automobile in 1980 and awarded Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” in 1980. Reportedly the Citation was plagued with problems and production ceased in 1985, so we’re guessing that most have been sent to the crusher.

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Volkswagen imported Squarebacks from 1966 to 1973. This one is a 1971-’72 model and has good trim and other parts.

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Under the hood of this 1962 Ford Styleside “Unibody” pickup is a six-cylinder engine. The floors are rusty, but it has good interior parts.

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This 1972 Beetle would be a great parts car or could be restored. Inside it has good seats. It was a running and driving vehicle when it entered the yard with shifter problems.

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A J.C. Whitney-style Swan hood ornament adorns the hood of this 1965 C10 Chevrolet pickup. The ornament came with a choice of green, amber, red or blue illuminated plastic wings, but the wings on this one are gone. Doug Reynolds says this was his grandfather’s truck and he remembers the wings, but not their color. This truck has a straight grille and some good trim parts and is for sale, along with the rest of the vehicles.

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The expanded metal guard on the front of this 1977 Jeep pickup has done a great job protecting the grille. Both doors also appear good. The interior has bucket seats and a console.

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In 1982, Chevrolet became number one in truck sales. This Silverado is equipped with an automatic transmission and air conditioning.

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There are a couple of GMC Suburbans in the collection. This one has factory air conditioning and an automatic transmission. It currently serves as storage for a couple of engines.

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Rust worms have eaten their way through the top of the left rear fender of this 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with the 231-cid V-6 engine.

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This International 1510 with a 156-inch wheelbase has a flatbed. The driver door is good, and it also has a good seat and gauges inside.

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This 1960 Ford Galaxie Town Sedan is air conditioned and has interior parts and some good exterior trim available. The engine has been removed.

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If you’re looking for Dodge Omni parts, Reynolds has this pair from which to choose.

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This 1966 Ford pickup has a straight front bumper and a good grille. It has the Custom Cab option with a good seat.

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The hood is rusted through on this Chevy LUV pickup that has been in the yard for decades. It does have a decent grille.

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This Mercury station wagon is rough, but has some good interior and trim parts. The engine and factory air conditioner remain under the hood.

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Anchoring a long row of Chevy LUV pickups is this four-wheel-drive model.

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A Chevy LUV cab and front clip rests on the frame of a 1953 Ford F-500. The 7-inch-diameter elm tree is growing between the frame rails of the truck and up through the engine compartment of the LUV.

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A 1961 Chevrolet Parkwood station wagon is loaded with lumber, but it’s still not a woodie. The Parkwood was part of the Bel Air line and had the same standard equipment as the lower-tiered Biscayne Brookwood, but was upgraded with a Deluxe steering wheel and foam seat cushions and some additional trim.

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The engine and transmission are gone from this 1964 Dodge station wagon. There are still some trim and other parts remaining.

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This down-sized 1978 Monte Carlo has a good grille and other parts. The engine has been removed. There’s a second third-generation Monte Carlo elsewhere in the yard.

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Buick Wildcats in 1966 featured four body styles including a four-door sedan, such as this example The keys are in the ignition of this Wildcat, and it has a good rear bumper along with many other good parts.

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A skilled craftsman has taken a Pinto and made it into a nice-looking Ranchero. Added accessories include a driver-side spotlight and wired coach lamps, plus a sunroof.

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Most of the interior has been removed from this 1964 Ford Galaxie 500. Outside it has a good grille and trim parts.

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The interior has mostly been trashed on this 1963 Rambler station wagon with rusty floors, but there are some good exterior parts. Other AMC products in the yard include a 1972 Hornet SST two-door parked nearby.

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Love looking at salvage yard cars? Here are a few more articles for your reading enjoyment.

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