Car Auction 3/5/2010

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #401
Auction: MARCH 5, 2010 11:00AM
Previews: MARCH 5, 2010 8:00AM-11:00AM
301 S. Sullivan St, Seattle WA 98108
#	Year/Model	License/ID	Code	Description
1	94 MITSUBISHI MONTERO	028REV	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
2	92 MAZDA NAVAJO	451RHN	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
3	98 DODGE DURANGO	155MIF (AR)	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
4	89 CHEVROLET S10	B27394H	PLI-AB	GLASS, FT END DAMAGE
5	87 FORD RANGER	B22478H	PLI-UNAUTH	RUST, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
6	91 FORD ECONOLINE	A85031P	PLI-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
7	86 FORD RANGER	A19436H	PLI-AB	RUST, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
8	98 FORD EXPEDITION	251PVU	PLI-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
9	95 FORD F150	B84230C	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
10	85 CADILLAC LIMO	711EWZ (OK)	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
11	79 DODGE VAN/TRUCK	A59400N	POS-G-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
12	91 MERCURY COUGAR	146RQS	KCS-VUCSA	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
13	93 CHEVROLET S-10	A13424Z	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
14	93 GMC VANDURA 3500	A28899T	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
15	94 ISUZU TROOPER	A13804V	KCS-VUCSA	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
16	00 NISSAN QUEST	638VZQ	KCS-ACC	FT END DAMAGE
17	89 TOYOTA CELICA	116RLI	KCS-WARRANT	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
18	97 NISSAN MAXIMA	228VQT	WSP-ACC	FT END DAMAGE
19	83 PONTIAC FIREBIRD	964DPY	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
20	98 MERCURY SABLE	581WJK	KCS-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
21	86 VW JETTA	WVWGB0165GW082309	PLI-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
22	82 DATSUN 280ZX	358PTO	KCS-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
23	98 CHRYSLER CONCORDE	725ZHS	KCS-ARREST	FT END DAMAGE
24	91 FORD TAURUS	945NSG	PLI-UNAUTH	WINDSHEILD BROKEN
25	93 FORD ESCORT	470RHQ	WSP-AB	FT END DAMAGE
26	00 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE	900YTM	PLI-UNAUTH	FT END DAMAGE
27	95 ACURA INTEGRA	981YEK	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
28	91 CHEVROLET CORSICA	306XTZ	PLI-UNAUTH	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
29	91 CHEVROLET CAPRICE	909SKR	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
30	95 FORD CONTOUR	138SHG	KCS-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
31	87 MERCEDES 420SEL	660YKL	PLI-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
32	93 AUDI 90	857YWY	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
33	00 PONTIAC GRAND AM	858XXW	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
34	88 SUBARU GL	101DBG (OR)	POS-G-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
35	91 FORD TAURUS	279PGS	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
36	85 MERCEDES 380SE	E6 979705 (TEMP)	PLI-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
37	87 FORD LTD	152RMK	KCS-DWLS	REAR END DAMAGE
38	99 FORD ESCORT	094VUG	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
39	87 MAZDA 323	178YKY	PLI-AB	PASS SIDE DAMAGE
40	01 DODGE INTREPID	663YOO	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
41	04 CHEVROLET AVEO	836TEJ	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
42	93 SUZUKI GSX750	735066	PLI-AB	DINGS, SCRATCHES
43	95 HONDA PRELUDE	379VWM	KCS-AB	NO WHEELS

Auction list subject to change. For more information including directions and rules, visit our auction page.

How a Tow Truck is Born

Miller Industries, Inc. is the nation’s largest manufacturer of tow trucks and towing equipment. This month, some of us from Airport Towing had the opportunity to tour the factory 2,600 miles away from our Seattle area office in Ooltewah, Tennessee. The Miller facility is just outside the city of Chattanooga, where the first tow truck was invented in 1916 by Ernest Holmes. Today, Holmes is a division of Miller Industries. Miller also produces Century, Vulcan, Chevron, Challenger, Champion, Eagle, SP Series, Boniface, and Jige towing and recovery units.

Inside the Tennessee plant, tow trucks emerge from pieces of raw metal right before our eyes. Millers’ 100,000 square foot warehouse is their primary manufacturing facility where thousands of tow trucks are manufactured each year. Our personal factory tour led us through the plant to follow the production of units from initial parts order to final completion. Employees we encountered during the tour were informative and helpful, teaching us the true meaning of “southern hospitality”.

We began at the first step in the process of building a tow truck, where the appropriate sizes and amounts of raw steel are acquired and stocked. When a tow unit is ordered, Miller employees round up all the necessary materials from their stock within the warehouse to build the sub-frame and transfer the parts to a welding station within the facility. Nearly all of the steel acquired by Miller is American made and forged locally. After the necessary materials are assembled, a skilled welder begins joining the metal to create the structural support of the tow unit. Miller boasts that their low turnover of skilled workers has been a key ingredient in yielding a high quality man-made product for several years.

Once unit is structurally sound, the functional parts are attached. Following the final welding process, the conjoined pieces are bead blasted. Bead blasting is necessary because the welding process can leave rough edges and small debris. The process of bead blasting is defined as removing surface deposits by applying fine glass beads at a low pressure without damaging the surface. Workers move parts requiring blasting into a large enclosed chamber, and seal the doors so they can unleash thousands of tiny reusable beads to blast the fabricated unit.

When all welding and fabrication is complete for a single unit, the unassembled parts go into the painting process.

Miller has the capability of painting tow truck parts on site. Applying primer and paint before the unit is assembled is essential to eliminate duplication of effort and is important for a high quality paint job.

The last step in building a tow truck is final assembly. Anyone purchasing a wrecker body from Miller has the option of ordering the complete tow unit and installing it themselves, or ordering a factory install. The factory has a team of people who are dedicated wrecker body installers and are only required to mount the tow unit to the chassis. Of course, one catch is that anyone who orders a factory install is required to send the truck’s cab and chassis to Miller so that it can be married to the tow unit. Most tow truck operators have unique requirements for their trucks and require specific options and accessories. The installers are responsible for all aspects of the install, including mounting the wrecker body, connecting all wiring and hydraulics, and attaching additional parts and accessories, such as dollies, chains, cables, etc.

Many units that Miller produces are built from the ground up inside their Chattanooga factory. In some ways, Miller Industries operates like a classic American factory. The company primarily uses skilled craftsman to produce tow units. Few robotics can be found inside the factory, which are greatly outnumbered by human hands. As a result, Miller employs about 2200 workers, 300 of which are manufacturing tow trucks at their primary facility in Chattanooga. As advertised, Miller Industries is the largest manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment in the world. The company is an impressive consolidation of the greatest names in the towing industry, now working together to produce the most technologically advanced towing equipment available. Miller’s efforts in innovation, quality craftsmanship, and American made products are why we at Airport Towing have been loyal customers since 1988. Our company continues to seek the best products available so that we can better serve our customers and this month we were happy to learn how our equipment is built and what type of care and attention it gets before we put our name on it.

Car Auction 2/5/2010

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #400
Auction: FEBRUARY 5, 2010 11:00AM
Previews: FEBRUARY 5, 2010 8:00AM-11:00AM
301 S. Sullivan St, Seattle WA 98108
#	Year/Model	License/ID	Code	Description
1	99 HONDA CIVIC	866YKV	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
2	93 FORD AEROSTAR	968YMG	PLI-AB	MISSING PARTS, DENTS, DINGS
3	89 ISUZU TROOPER	092STO	PLI-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
4	94 ISUZU RODEO	265AHA (OR)	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
5	93 TOYOTA COROLLA	JT2AE09E7P0024481	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
6	85 FORD F150	B28358L	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
7	92 FORD AEROSTAR	1FMDA11U8NZA84833	PLI-UNAUTH	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
8	93 NISSAN QUEST	203RVE	KCS-ARREST	GLASS, DENTS, DINGS
9	69 FORD F150	B73983G	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
11	93 FORD AEROSTAR	1FMCA11U3PZC79852	KCS-DWLS3RD	GLASS, DENTS, DINGS
12	96 CHEVROLET BLAZER	DWW960 (SC)	POS-G-AB	DRIVER SIDE DAMAGE
13	91 FORD ECONOLINE	691XMI	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
14	99 FORD WINDSTAR	103VFZ	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
15	91 TOYOTA PICKUP	A44481R	PLI- AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
16	97 FORD WINDSTAR	A59741Y	PLI-AB	FT END DAMAGE
17	98 DODGE DURANGO	478TWX	PLI-AB	FT END DAMAGE
18	73 DODGE TRADESMAN	B24431G	KCS-ACC	FT END DAMAGE
19	86 FORD F250	B42376D	KCS-ARREST	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
20	89 TOYOTA TERCEL	700ZDJ	KCS-BURGLARY	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
21	88 FORD TEMPO	785LZB	KCS-AB	GLASS, DENTS, DINGS
22	92 CADILLAC ELDORADO	731RMX	WSP-DWLS	GLASS, DENTS, DINGS
23	99 BUICK CENTURY	2G4WS52M5X1497185	KCS-WARRANT	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
24	93 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM	287RTO	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
25	85 TOYOTA P/U	A06344W	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
26	95 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO	224SLR	KCS-AB	MISSING PARTS, FT DAMAGE
27	04 DODGE STRATUS	913RKZ	POS-G-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
28	98 BMW 528	WBADD6322WBW36743	KCS-DWLS3RD	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, GLASS
29	96 HYUNDAI ELANTRA	120TXG	WSP-ACC	FIRE CAR
30	95 NISSAN MAXIMA	871SLR	POS-G-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
31	91 CADILLAC DEVILLE	274RJP	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
32	95 BMW 325i	560RGF (TN)	POS-G-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
33	92 TOYOTA CAMRY	2TP4226 (ID)	POS-G-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
34	02 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER	808NCJ	PLI-AB	NICE BODY
35	00 CADILLAC STS	G653842 (IL)	POS-G-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
36	65 FORD FAIRLANE	552CZW (CA)	PLI-AB	NOT BAD FOR ITS AGE
37	95 BUICK PARK AVENUE	823XBA	PLI-AB	GLASS, DENTS, DINGS
38	99 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX	236UIX	WSP-AB	GLASS, FT END DAMAGE
39	97 SATURN SC1	207WPQ	PLI-AB	GLASS, MISSING PARTS
40	93 NISSAN 300ZX	075YKL	WSP-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
41	90 HONDA ACCORD	627UKI	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
42	90 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD	009PSV	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
43	03 NISSAN ALTIMA	941VKD (AZ)	POS-G-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
44	91 TOYOTA CAMRY	199WKL	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
45	89 HONDA ACCORD	311YHC	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
46	96 HYUNDAI ACCENT	104TRF	KCS-AB	COLORFUL, FT DAMAGE
47	89 HONDA PRELUDE	152NDK	KCS-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
48	93 HONDA ACCORD	968VBV	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
49	99 NISSAN SENTRA	119VXB	KCS-HIT&RUN	FT END DAMAGE
50	92 HONDA ACCORD	750RXP	PLI-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES

Auction list subject to change. For more information including directions and rules, visit our auction page.

Car Auction 1/8/2010

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #399
Auction: JANUARY 8, 2010 11:00AM
Previews: JANUARY 8, 2010 8:00AM-11:00AM
301 S. Sullivan St, Seattle WA 98108
#	Year/Model	License/ID	Code	Description
1	99 CADILLAC SLS	441VQZ	KCS-DWLS	DENTS
2	77 CHEVROLET PICKUP	B74441G	PLI-AB	RUST, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
3	79 CHEVROLET BLAZER	895YWS	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
4	83 NISSAN PICKUP	B76815D	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
5	98 CHEVROLET CAMARO	2G1FP22K3W2123758	PLI-AB	FT END DAMAGE
6	85 FORD BRONCO II	446PFV	PLI-UNAUTH	CLEAN
7	97 CHEVROLET ASTRO	884UKQ	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
8	86 NISSAN 300ZX	921LSS	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
9	99 TOYOTA COROLLA	474WJS	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
10	87 FORD RANGER	B00029K	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
11	93 FORD EXPLORER	136NXG	KCS-ARREST	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
12	99 DODGE DURANGO	291VIA	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
13	92 FORD EXPLORER	975ZFE	POS-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
14	92 DODGE CARAVAN	968PVN	WSP-ACC	REAR DAMAGE
15	95 FORD EXPLORER	648SRH	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
16	98 CHEVROLET PICKUP	A32006Z	KCS-30 DAY	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
17	92 FORD EXPLORER	505RXS	PLI-AB	GLASS, DRIVER SIDE DAMAGE
18	72 DODGE PU	B76194B	KCS-AB	TIRE, RUST, DINGS
19	76 CHEVROLET SP-VAN	504YTJ	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
20	95 DODGE RAM	B22938H	WSP-ACC	FT END DAMAGE
21	94 DODGE DAKOTA	A40079U	WSP-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
22	92 HONDA ACCORD	271WJU	KCS-AB	MISSING PARTS
23	92 BUICK LESABRE	562RGH	WSP-ACC	REAR DAMAGE
24	91 CHEVROLET CAPRICE	821YKJ	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
25	00 FORD FOCUS	392SVE	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
26	92 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE	450VQF	KCS-AB	FT END DAMAGE
27	95 BUICK CENTURY	999WZY	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
28	94 FORD CROWN VICTORIA	418YZN	KCS-AB	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
29	84 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY	274RJQ	KCS-AB	GLASS, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
30	91 CHEVROLET BERETTA	678TOM	KCS-DWLS	GLASS, TIRE
31	89 VOLVO 245DL	059XAM	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
32	02 DODGE NEON	758SKX	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
33	90 HONDA ACCORD	462YNX	KCS-ACC	FT END DAMAGE
34	94 VOLVO 940	895RGH	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
35	95 DODGE INTREPID	1B3HD46T1SF551670	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
36	87 CHEVROLET CAPRICE	657YTW	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
37	88 TOYOTA CAMRY	346ZHP	KCS-AB	FT END DAMAGE
38	91 CHEVROLET CAPRICE	314KRX	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
39	94 HONDA CIVIC	824TLJ	WSP-ACC	FT END DAMAGE
40	03 MITSUBISHI GALANT	182WFX (AZ)	PLI-AB	TIRES
41	85 CADILLAC SEVILLE	42135DP	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
42	88 VOLVO 740	445XXS	PLI-AB	TIRE, GLASS, DINGS
43	01 HONDA CIVIC	317XMJ	WSP-ACC	FT & REAR DAMAGE
44	91 SAAB 900	630SCI	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
45	96 PLYMOUTH NEON	058XJZ	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
46	96 CADILLAC SEVILLE	103TMU	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
47	92 HONDA PRELUDE	528NQL	PLI-AB	FT END DAMAGE
48	83 FORD FAIRMONT	423XGD	KCS-DWLS	BRING A TUG BOAT
49	88 HONDA CIVIC	137YZA	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
50	91 ACURA INTEGRA	801PPT	WSP-STOLEN	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
51	91 LEXUS ES	409WGY	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
52	88 PROWLER LYNX	1099UO	PLI-UNAUTH	OK
53	79 CHEVROLET C60 BOX TRK	B31254L	KCS-ACC	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES

Auction list subject to change. For more information including directions and rules, visit our auction page.

1966 Ford Nearly Restored

“B-Unit” #83 is a tribute to Brian Storer. The lean, mean, Ford racing machine is being restored for one reason: It was Brian Storer’s dream to revive this this truck and make it his own.

Mark Storer, CEO and founder of Airport Towing started collecting antique tow trucks in 1997. Since then he has built up a collection of 13 classic trucks. One of them is a 1966 Ford F-350.

Shortly after purchasing the truck, Mark’s youngest son and employee Brian (driver #83) made known his interest in the truck. He immediately saw the potential, and he loved that the truck would rumble and roar when he stepped on the gas pedal. The truck had custom chrome exhaust stacks (though they were heavily rusted and in desperate need of replacement).

Its frame supported a Holmes 460 wrecker: One of the most celebrated tow units of it’s time; popular for it’s twin boom feature that would allow one side of the truck to anchor to a stable object and the other side to swing out and recover a vehicle. Even today, Holmes is known for producing some of the most unique towing equipment on the planet.

The company’s founder, Ernest Holmes, is famous for his most popular invention: The world’s first tow truck! Holmes originally mounted a chain and pulley to the frame of a 1913 Cadillac and went to work as the first ever tow truck operator in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Nearly 100 years later, Brian Storer found himself inspired by a beat up old Holmes unit. He loved everything about the truck and vowed to restore it. He even collected a few parts along the way. The find he was most proud of was a red bench seat in near perfect condition, brought in to replace the previous upholstery which was torn and tattered. A couple of years went by as the truck sat in Mark’s warehouse awaiting restoration and eventually, the unthinkable happened. Mark and Brian died in a sudden plane crash. One of Brian’s dreams would never come true. He would not get the opportunity to tear the Ford truck to the ground and build it back up again in all the glory of it’s hay-day.

The Storer family has spent the past year-and-a-half recovering from the tremendous loss in their family. As the days continue to go by, family members have come up with ways to pay homage to their loved one’s who have moved on into eternity. The greatest of which was most likely an idea that was produced by Lynette Storer, Brian’s mother and Mark’s wife. Lynette is now the President/CEO of Airport Towing and has been helping run the day-to-day operations of the company for nearly 22 years.

As you may have guessed, her vision was to restore the 66 Ford, exactly as Brian would have wanted it done. Even though it has proven to be an expensive and time consuming project, Lynette has pressed forward with the restoration. Despite a depressed economy, the love she has for her son is far beyond any monetary value. With the help of Lynette’s staff, she is determined to complete this project.

With the help of several employees and antique specialist Rocky Willis, the project has moved forward with great success. The truck was stripped down and sandblasted earlier this year.

Shortly after, individual pieces of the truck were sent to Huddleson’s Auto Color World to be painted red and white. Finally, the cab and chassis were sprayed and returned to be refitted with the original parts. Fresh paint on the old truck in traditional Airport Towing red and white have made it look better than ever. Meanwhile, custom chrome exhaust stacks were special ordered and the motor was removed for steam-cleaning and repainting.

The paint is now dry and piece by piece, the truck is being meticulously reassembled. Nearly every part on the truck needs to be reinstalled; from the hood to the fenders, the bumper, wheels and rims, doors, windshield, seat, motor, exhaust stacks, lugs, lights, mirrors, and much more. One challenge that complicates the project more than the average pickup restoration is the assembly of the Holmes tow unit on the back end. The unit requires technical expertise because it operates off of a power take off system that utilizes the transmission to engage and enable the boom and winch cables to operate. The old gear driven technology has been replaced with hydraulics in more modern equipment. The wrecker must be assembled accurately to maintain structural integrity if it is ever to be used as a working tow truck. To date, each piece has been sanded, painted, and some are awaiting reassembly. Some of the electrical wiring throughout the truck is still being completed.

The headers have been chrome dipped, enhancing the popular “Powered by Ford” slogan stamped into the metal. Afterward, the freshly painted motor was placed back into the truck.

The motor was repainted factory Ford blue and the tips of the fan have been painted red. The cab was also remounted onto the frame.

Much of the detail work is now being finished. The truck has been refitted with its hood, grille, bumper, beacon, marker lights, headlights, and windshield. After several months of work, it is starting to look like a truck again.

Most recently, the Holmes tow unit was reinstalled and there are now wheels under the frame.

Although the project may look as though it is near completion, there is still a great amount of work to be done. The truck is still awaiting doors and several other interior parts along with wiring and other detail work. Custom lettering and final striping will be added after the truck has reacquired all of it’s necessary mechanical parts. Completion of the 1966 Ford F-350 tow truck is most likely Spring of 2010. Work being done on the truck is ongoing though it is not being rushed so mistakes can be minimized. Once the 66 Ford is completed, it will be one of the most popular and definitely the most powerful tow truck in the Storer Antique Tow Truck Collection and no one will be happier to see its final completion than Lynette.

Lakewood Officers Remembered

The recent loss of 4 Lakewood police officers has reminded us how suddenly we can lose people who are most important in our lives. Our own recent experiences with loss have triggered a particularly emotional response as we watched the news develop last week informing the world of a terrible ambush that took place in our own back yard against local law enforcement officers as they prepared for duty.

Our loss occurred last year when Airport Towing CEO Mark Storer and son Brian Storer died in an airplane crash, shocking the towing industry. Local friends and family members gathered to show their support. Neighboring police and fire agencies joined in to provide assistance to those who were suffering the most, along with other towing companies. The family at Airport Towing voiced their appreciation of the support received from public safety officers and others offering assistance.

Now it is our turn to pay back the support given to our family last year by assisting other families who have suffered a similar fate. Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, Greg Richards, and Sgt. Mark Renninger have all left behind children and families, both at home and within the police department. The families have endured terrible suffering as a result of the unexpected void that took them by surprise on a Sunday morning. We have felt a similar pain, and we know there are few, if any, words that will bring comfort to the loved one’s who are grieving.

Airport Towing and local police officers work together on a daily basis. The officers and towers provide a public service, working together at emergency scenes and during non-emergency traffic situations. Our company got it’s first bitter taste of tragedy when King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox was shot and killed in the line of duty in December of 2006. Officer Cox worked with our Burien Towing drivers on a daily basis during his work week. When he was gunned down on a late winter night. Those who knew him and worked with him were heartbroken. It often seems as though the greatest hero’s of our community are those who suffer the most tragic fate. Two years after Deputy Cox died, Airport Towing lost Mark and Brian. Now, the attention has shifted South, to the families of the fallen Lakewood Officers.

A memorial service was held Tuesday at the Tacoma Dome for all four Lakewood police officers. Prior to the service, a procession of nearly 2,000 emergency vehicles led the ceremony from McChord Air Force Base near where the officers were killed in Parkland, past Lakewood Police Department Headquarters, to the memorial site. More than 20,000 people attended the service, including thousands of police officers and firefighters. The emotion filled service lasted more than 3 hours and featured many stories of the lives of the four slain officers. Family members were surrounded by thousands of attendees, including police officers, firefighters, dignitaries, and others. Governor Christine Gregoire was on hand to speak to the crowd, as was House Representative and former King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. More than 700 Canadians mounted police officers attended, as well as hundreds from Chicago, New York, Boston and other places around the world. The scene was awe-inspiring, with an honor guard of multiple agencies leading the way. For the families, the service was just the beginning of a long road ahead.

Several memorial funds have been set up to support the family of the fallen Lakewood officers. You can donate directly through the Lakewood Police Independent Guild here.

2010 Calendars Are Here!

Back for a 5th straight year, the popular tow truck themed calendar has returned for 2010. Several new photos have been added to give the publication a new feel for the new year.

New features that have helped the 2010 product improve from last year include a 13th month layout and small reference calendars indicating days of the week for previous and upcoming months. The newly designed publication also features a new color scheme, additional holidays, and custom fonts to make it one-of-a-kind.

The greatest accomplishment for this year’s calendar is most likely the introduction of several new photos from around the Pacific Northwest. Ron Storer traveled around greater Seattle with Airport Towing to photograph the antique trucks in some of the most beautiful settings around. Featured neighborhoods include Fremont, Wallingford, Seattle waterfront, Belltown, Burien, Sodo, Seatac, Aurora, Boeing Field, Des Moines, and Mt. Rainier National Park. The scenes themselves are magnificently rich in character, ranging from Dick’s Drive-In to Safeco Field and The Fremont Bridge to The Old Spaghetti Factory.

The Airport Towing calendar is as much about character as it is about content. One new photo shows the 3 youngest members of the Airport Towing family playing in antique pedal cars at a local park in Burien. Two of the toy vehicles are tow trucks, one is a vintage aircraft; hence the new addition to Airport Towing’s calendar. “Airport” being one part of the photo and “Towing” obviously portrayed by the small tow truck peddlers.

Having so many rare and beautiful tow trucks displayed in the calendar was only made possible by the actions of Mark Storer, the founder and deceased CEO of Airport Towing. It was his ambition to build a reputable towing company from the ground up, and his passion for everything towing related (especially antiques) that gave him the drive to complete the restoration of a 1925 Ford Model TT tow truck. The completion of this masterpiece, with the help of mechanic Rocky Willis and his crew led to the addition of 12 other classic trucks, countless parts and accessories, and other memorabilia relating to the history of the towing industry. As a direct result of his efforts, we are able to enjoy one of the finest antique tow truck collections every year.

After Mark and his son Brian died last July, a memorial calendar was printed in their honor. It featured short stories and several memories of the two tow truck men. This year, Mark’s collection of classics and antiques are on front stage, but the father and son are both pictured somewhere in the calendar.

Mark can be seen driving with the top down across the Fremont Bridge in his 1928 Ford Model A Roadster and Brian is shown dressed up as Santa Claus in front of a 1935 Chevrolet. Mark always admitted the annual calendar had become one of his favorite new things each year. At Airport Towing, we plan to keep the tradition alive forever. Work has already begun on a new calendar for 2011.

For more information on the 2010 calendar, please visit our Calendar Page, listed in the Museum section of our site. Calendars can be requested directly through the main office at Airport Towing by calling 1-866-227-7770 or online.

Car Auction 12/4/2009

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #398
Auction: DECEMBER 4, 2009 11:00AM
Previews: DECEMBER 4, 2009 8:00AM-11:00AM
301 S. Sullivan St, Seattle WA 98108
#	Year/Model	License/ID	Code	Description
1	96 CHEVROLET BLAZER	047TFZ	PLI-UNAUTH	TIRE, DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
2	91 GMC SAFARI	538SVP	POS-NVOL	BKN GLASS, DENTS
3	96 FORD BRONCO	744LMZ	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
4	85 TOYOTA PREVIA	626MWP	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
5	96 CADILLAC SEVILLE	955TPO	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
6	RELEASED
7	81 MERCURY ZEPHYR	589RPN	PLI-AB	RUST, DENTS
8	94 FORD THUNDERBIRD	510WTZ	WSP-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
9	95 MERCURY VILLAGER	723WDE	KCS-VUCSA	FT DAMAGE
10	95 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN	154LTW	KCS-AB	MISSING PARTS
11	91 DODGE RAM	937TMK	KCS-AB	FT DAMAGE
12	73 FORD RANCHERO	B63077H	KCS-AB	RUST MISSING PARTS
13	97 NISSAN ALTIMA	004ZHR	KCS-ACC	FT DAMAGE
14	94 MITSUBISHI DIAMANTE	969NMS	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
15	88 ACURA LEGEND	832XKW	KCS-ACC	FT DAMAGE
16	91 SUBARU LEGACY	065XHS	WSP-AB	MISSING PARTS, DENTS, DINGS
17	86 HONDA ACCORD	311XEA	KCS-AB	BKN GLASS, DENTS
18	97 MITSUBISHI GALANT	774VNF	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
19	90 HONDA CIVIC	277TVV	WSP-ACC	FT DAMAGE
20	86 HONDA CRX	634YEQ	WSP-AB	FT DAMAGE
21	97 HONDA CIVIC	833TPZ	PLI-AB	MISSING PARTS
22	88 TOYOTA CELICA	790TGM	PLI-AB	REAR DAMAGE
23	97 PONTIAC GRAND AM	051TKD	PLI-AB	GOOD SHAPE
24	91 HONDA ACCORD	418WMB	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
25	86 HONDA ACCORD	883WSB	PLI-AB	FT DAMAGE
26	87 HONDA ACCORD	056RDC	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
27	87 HONDA ACCORD	296XGR	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES,RUST
28	96 SATURN SL1	100TIM	PLI-AB	FLAT TIRE, DENTS
29	98 DODGE NEON	829WYR	KCS-ACC	FT DAMAGE
30	86 KENWORTH CABOVER TRACTOR	76857Z	PLI-AB	BIG

Auction list subject to change. For more information including directions and rules, visit our auction page.

Giving Thanks For What We Have

This month I traveled to India and had a glimpse of other tow truck operators performing the same services we provide on the other side of the world. The differences were clear; their equipment is beaten and battered. The technology is old British equipment. The streets are broken and partially washed out due to insufficient maintenance and extreme weather conditions. The life of a tow truck operator in India is significantly different from the U.S.

The average working wage in India is less than $3 per day (U.S dollars). A driver in the United States will likely make up to 40 times more than a tow truck operator in India. While it is true that some of the operating expenses in India are lower as a result of a lower cost of living, Indians pay almost double the U.S. price for fuel. Currently, their average price for gasoline is $4.63 per gallon.

Thanks to the extremely high price of gas combined with low wages of available jobs, many Indians can not afford to drive vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Most local deliveries of goods and merchandise are still performed by animals. Horses, donkeys, oxen, and elephants are routinely driven down the city streets, sharing the road with cars and trucks. When one of these carts breaks down it is assuredly not a tow truck that will show up to rescue the disabled vehicle.

Although, that does not mean there is a shortage of business for tow trucks. India is a hot country with mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall. That combination is cause for vehicles to be overworked and overheated, in addition to the dangerous driving conditions that can lead to accidents. The need for towing services in these conditions is inevitable.

Indian drivers are unlike any other in the world. To an American, their traffic system appears to be complete chaos. It is a free-for-all. Drivers share the road without regard for lanes, turn signals, traffic lights, or even oncoming traffic. There is virtually no existing traffic enforcement in most parts of the country. Their most used safety feature is their horn. TIME Magazine calls it “India’s Great Wall of Sound”. Whenever a vehicle approaches an intersection, passes a truck, intends to move, merge, accelerate, brake, or just warn someone they lay on their horn. One noticeable advantage of their traffic system is that they are able to move quickly from one point to another very quickly in heavy traffic. The down side is that it is dangerous. Near misses in city traffic are are common, most vehicles coming within inches of each other at every intersection.

Of even greater concern are the poorly secured loads. These types of trucks are the primary means of logistics for goods around the country. The cargo trucks are loaded beyond their maximum capacity and marched down the highway to reach their destination as quickly as possible. Often the load protrudes the cargo area and is loaded unevenly, causing the vehicle to lean to one side. This Tata truck has obviously been overloaded on the drivers side, which would be a guaranteed traffic ticket in the U.S. and could end in disaster.

Those that can not afford to hire a delivery truck will transport their goods by any means available. Since traffic enforcement is not an issue, delivery drivers are free to pack as many goods into their vehicle as they can fit, without any method of securing the load. They also run the risk of operating a slow moving vehicle on a busy highway or in crowded city streets, which does not appear to bother them.

Because of the expense, many vehicle are not well maintained and can cause problems in traffic. Breakdowns are common, and many vehicles are pushed off highways by hand and are repaired while blocking a lane or on the shoulder. Road conditions are no help to the drivers. Many roads are made of dirt and most paved roads are riddled with potholes and cracking. It does not take long for the trucks to start to look like the roads. Trucks can only take a certain amount of abuse before their parts start to fail.

The same is true for tow trucks. A well maintained tow truck is less likely to fail during a critical situation. At Airport Towing, we pride ourselves on our well maintained equipment and do everything possible to prevent any type of mechanical failure on an incident scene. Unfortunately, there are those who will keep pulling with their unit until something finally gives way and breaks. Though some of these operators exist in the U.S., there are many more who are working with substandard equipment in third world countries across the globe.

In any industry, it is easily noticeable when a company takes care of their equipment. A company that displays good public image is easy to see, yet rarely praised for their efforts. One of the benefits of displaying professionalism is the positive image that reflects on the industry as a whole. Operating a clean and professional towing operation in India must be one of the greatest challenges of any profession in the country. Few are up to the task. For those that put forth the effort, we would like to express our gratitude. Indian tow truck operators have to work in dirty conditions and 100+ degree heat almost year round. We are thankful for their efforts and grateful that we have been blessed with a great opportunity to operate a successful towing company in the United States of America. During this season of Thanksgiving, we have a lot to be thankful for.

Car Auction 11/6/2009

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #397
Auction: NOVEMBER 6, 2009 11:00AM
Previews: NOVEMBER 6, 2009 8:00AM-11:00AM
301 S. Sullivan St, Seattle WA 98108
#	Year/Model	License/ID	Code	Description
1	86 CADILLAC DEVILLE	985YQC	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
2	91 FORD ECONOLINE	B99962A	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
3	88 CHEVROLET VAN	586YOV	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
4	85 VW JETTA	661VEH	PLI-AB	FLAT TIRE, DENTS
5	91 HONDA ACCORD	562PVU	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
6	99 CHEVROLET ASTRO	783XBR	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
7	87 NISSAN PATHFINDER	241TWN	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
8	99 DODGE DURANGO	775VKN	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
9	89 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP	A36439L	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
10	88 MAZDA PICKUP	B53649F	PLI-AB	FLAT TIRE, REAR DAMAGE
11	99 CHEVROLET ASTRO	461VMY	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
12	95 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN	1GNGK26N8SJ351282	PLI-AB	FLAT TIRE, BKN GLASS
13	70 WINNEBAGO MOTORHOME	CV82119	WSP-ACC	WIND IN YOUR HAIR
14	93 JAGUAR XJ6	SAJHW1745PC674557	PLI-AB	NO WHEELS
15	89 FORD LTD	519XKK	KCS-AB	BKN GLASS
16	01 LINCOLN TOWNCAR	4UNP578 (CA)	KCS-HIT&RUN	FRT DAMAGE
17	85 CHEVROLET BLAZER	737UVM	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
18	85 GMC S15	LT4587	KCS-AB	RUST, DENTS
19	90 CHEVROLET ASTRO	042TKP	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
20	95 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE	566VQW	KCS-DUI	FLAT TIRE, DENTS
21	87 TOYOTA TERCEL	617SVG	WSP-ACC	DRIVERSIDE DAMAGE
22	91 TOYOTA COROLLA	499UKZ	KCS-ARREST	FRT DAMAGE, REAR DAMAGE
23	02 MITSUBISHI LANCER	216VKC	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
24	00 VOLVO S80	039RBU	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
25	90HONDA ACCORD	015TQJ	KCS-AB	DRIVERSIDE DAMAGE
26	86 FORD ESCORT	461XSB	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
27	79 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS	681TOD	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
28	86 MERCURY COUGAR	988WTW	KCS-AB	FRT DAMAGE
29	96 HONDA ACCORD	944WNL	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
30	95 OLDSMOBILE 88	407SCT	KCS-ACC	FRT DAMAGE
31	78 CHEVROLET EL CAMINO	B72771G	WSP-AB	MISSING PARTS
32	90 TOYOTA COROLLA	913XPF	KCS-AB	FLAT TIRE, DENTS
33	76 CHRYSLER NEWPORT	625SGY	PLI-AB	NICE LAWN
34	90 TOYOTA COROLLA	863TTF	PLI-UNAUTH	FRT DAMAGE
35	95 FORD TAURUS	832WZQ	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
36	90 ACURA LEGEND	691TNH	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
37	94 TOYOTA COROLLA	A073TT (UT)	WSP-ACC	FRT DAMAGE
38	97 TOYOTA CAMRY	061YON	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
39	87 HONDA ACCORD	180SRK	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
40	92 BUICK SKYLARK	128PTN	PLI-AB	BKN GLASS, DRIVE SIDE DAMAGE
41	94 FORD ESCORT	724TBV	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
42	95 OLDSMOBILE AURORA	756WRP	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
43	98 FORD TAURUS	891WVZ	PLI-AB	FLAT TIRE, DENTS
44	88 CADILLAC DEVILLE	099XYV	PLI-AB	BKN GLASS, DRIVE SIDE DAMAGE
45	98 BUICK PARK AVENUE ULTRA	005UVH	PLI-AB	DRIVER SIDE DAMAGE
46	86 TOYOTA CAMRY	636PCA	PLI-AB	FLAT TIRE, DENTS, DINGS
47	91 ACURA LEGEND	477XKF	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
48	80 HONDA CIVIC	877ZDP	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
49	88 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE	702YGR	KCS-DWLS	FRT DAMAGE
50	04 HONDA CIVIC	467VNZ	KCS-DWLS 30	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
51	06 INTERNATIONAL 4300	602680 (IN)	POS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES

Auction list subject to change. For more information including directions and rules, visit our auction page.

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