Car Auction 3/5/2010
March 3, 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.
Tow Truck Driver Chases WSP Shooter
February 15, 2010
Twenty-Five year veteran State Trooper Scott Johnson was shot in the back of the head Saturday morning following a routine DUI stop. While a fellow officer booked the impaired driver into jail, Trooper Johnson processed the vehicle for impound on the side the Highway. Without warning, a man approached Trooper Johnson and fired a gun. The wounded Washington State Patrol officer is now recovering from the gunshot wounds at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.
Emergency services were initially notified of an officer down by a tow truck driver on scene. The flatbed driver of Hill’s Auto Body & Towing was in the process of hooking up to the vehicle that was ordered to be impounded by WSP. It was the tow truck operator that saw a brief exchange of words between the gunman and the State Trooper, then witnessed shots fired.
According to reports, two shots were fired by the mysterious gunman. One of those shots struck the trooper in the head and became lodged in muscle tissue behind his ear, only missing his spinal cord by a few inches. Trooper Johnson immediately turned and returned fire, likely missing his assailant.
As the gunman proceeded to flee the scene, the tow truck driver persued the attacker, but had to retreat after the criminal fired a bullet toward him. The drivers next reaction was to return to the injured trooper and call in for help. Responding officers in the surrounding community of Long Beach, Washington were on scene within minutes.
The tow truck driver was unharmed, but Trooper Johnson required immediate medical attention after the gunshot wound from point blank range. The tow truck operator reported it was the quick reaction of Trooper Johnson, moving aside when the gun was pressed to his head, that saved his life.
Police are still searching for the suspect and are offering a $26,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter. Tips have been pouring in, but have not yet led to an arrest.
The man is described as white male, 35-40 years old with tan skin, approximately 5′10″ and 190lbs. He was wearing a dark insulated shirt and a knit cap.
Washington State Tip Line: 1-800-283-7808
Outside Washington Tip Line: 1-360-405-6650
The ambush follows a string of shootings on law enforcement that have killed six Washington State police officers since this Halloween. None of the attacks are believed to be connected, other than the fact that all of them ocurred in Washington State. Now the fight is on for emergency responders to protect each other on the streets in an increasingly dangerous environment.
How a Tow Truck is Born
January 31, 2010
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
January 28, 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.
Towing Drunk Drivers = Saving Lives
January 12, 2010
A new law in Washington State could save countless lives by mandating that all persons arrested for drunk driving have their vehicles impounded and put on hold for 12 hours.
The law would officially be referred to as Hailey’s Law and a similar type of enforcement is already being used in New Jersey. It has been created in honor of Hailey French who was struck and severely injured by a DUI offender who had returned to her vehicle less than 2 hours after being stopped for possible DUI. Following her release by the police, the offender immediately returned to her vehicle and drove away, eventually colliding head on with Hailey’s vehicle while still under the influence of alcohol. The State of Washington was sued and forced to pay $5.5 million as a result.
Currently, law enforcement officers must separate the driver from the car in one of four ways: by impounding the car, by turning the car over to a sober, responsible adult, by turning the driver over to a sober, responsible adult, or by holding the driver in jail until he is sober. This leaves plenty of loopholes for drunk drivers. Even though a vehicle is impounded, it can be released immediately because towing companies have no method of checking a drivers blood alcohol level, nor the legal right to do so.
In September of 2009 3 people were killed in SeaTac shortly after the vehicle’s owner was arrested for DUI. Under the proposed law, the crash would never had occurred because the vehicle would have been impounded and held for 12 hours. Instead, another driver without a license drove the vehicle from where it was parked and picked up the drunk driver after she was released from police custody. The unlicensed driver drove the vehicle at a high rate of speed into the side of a warehouse, killing himself, and the accused DUI driver along with her brother.
House Bill 2565 has now been formally introduced in the 2010 session and could become a law sometime this year. Those sponsoring the bill include Representatives Ericksen, Simpson, Smith, Van De Wege, Sells, Orwall, Goodman, Morrell, and Moeller.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission reported that in 2008 alcohol impaired drivers were responsible for 233 deaths state wide, which is nearly half of all traffic related fatalities. The WTSC also reported that “motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for persons 1 to 34 years of age in the United States.”
Hailey’s Law will prevent many alcohol related deaths if it moves through the House of Representatives as it is expected to. Many other agencies are in support of the life-saving bill, including the Washington State Patrol.
Airport Towing been involved in the recovery of thousands of wrecked vehicles over a period of 21 years, many of which are alcohol related injuries and fatalities. Support of House Bill 2565 is one step closer to reducing the number of lives that are destroyed from impaired driving. It is one more check system that would be in place to prevent tragedy.
Car Auction 1/8/2010
January 5, 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
December 18, 2009
“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
December 10, 2009
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!
December 7, 2009
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.
T
he 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
November 27, 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.





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