Car Auction 12/2/2011

 

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #422
Auction: December 2, 2011 11:00AM
Previews: December 2, 2011 8:00AM-11:00AM
801 S 176th St. Burien, WA 98148
#	Year	Make	Model	License	Code	VIN	Misc.
1)	2011	HYUNDAI	TUCSON	AEL3353	POS-G-AB	KM8JT3AB2BU145772
2)	1997	DODGE	RAM		KCS-AB	2B7HB21X4VK535469
3)	1980	TOYOTA	PICKUP	B54358R	POS-G-AB	BN42103185
4)	1994	CHEVROLET	2500	FJW645	KCS-AB	2GCFK29K5R1310134
5)	1992	NISSAN	P/U	B92144N	KCS-AB	1N6SD16Y5NC309045
6)	1990	FORD	RANGER	B53303T	KCS-DWLS/R	1FTCR10T9LUA40495	Key
7)	1983	CADILLAC	DEVILLE	088ZWP	KCS-AB	1G6AD6980D9162719
	1998	MERCURY	GRAND MARQUIS	198ZXA	KCS-DWLS/R	2MEFM75W0WX631232	Key
9)	1991	HONDA	ACCORD	282TGU	WSP-ARREST	JHMCB7662MC020247
10)	1992	BUICK	CENTURY	ACY5934	WSP-ACC	1G4AG54N4N6422307
11)	1990	HONDA	PRELUDE	025TNK	KCS-STOLEN	JHMBA4216LC021584
12)	1992	HONDA	ACCORD	776YEW	KCS-ACC	1HGCB7651NA231656
13)	1993	FORD	E350	A35114T	KCS-AB	1FDKE37H5PHB49065
14)	1999	DODGE	STRATUS	364UBB	POS-ARREST	1B3EJ56H5XN546708	Key
15)	2001	BMW	325i	207UYK	KCS-ACC	WBAAV33441FU89715	Key
16)	1992	SUBARU	LEGACY	ACD1881	POS-G-AB	4S3BJ6330N7913404
17)	2004	FORD	CROWN VICTORIA	648ZIE	PLI-UNAUTH	2FAHP71W14X129923
18)	1998	HONDA	CIVIC	AFT9355	KCS-ARREST	1HGEJ722XWL099154	Key
19)	1995	CHEVROLET	CAMARO	152TTN	PLI-AB	2G1FP32S7S2181372
20)	1996	HONDA	ACCORD	807SEZ	PLI-AB	1HGCD5638TA268004
21)	1980	TOYOTA	COROLLA	453YXW	PLI-AB	TE72502226
22)	1996	SUBARU	IMPREZA		PLI-AB	JF1GF4859TH815765
23)	1999	FORD	TAURUS	755YTO	KCS-DUI	1FAFP53SXXG134506

Click here for driving directions to the auction.

• Auction list subject to change.
• For a complete listing and vehicle photos, visit our current listing page online.
• For auction rules and procedures, visit our auction page.

Car Auction 8/5/2011

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #418
Auction: AUGUST 5, 2011 11:00AM
Previews: AUGUST 5, 2011 8:00AM-11:00AM
801 S 176th St  Burien, WA 98148
#	Year	Make	Model	License	Code	VIN	Misc.
1)	2000	KIA	SPORTAGE	183WLP	WSP-AB	KNDJA6238Y5669305
2)	1996	FORD	EXPLORER	804XDU	PLI-IMPROPER PARKING	1FMDU34X2TUA99444
3)	1981	FORD	F-150	B70598R	WSP-CARFIRE	1FTDF15E1BRA20685
4)	2001	FORD	EXPEDITION	AHX274	PLI-AB	1FMRU16W81LB09539
5)	1996	FORD	ECONOLINE	A74005Y	KCS-AB	1FTHS24H4THA25353
6)	2002	FORD	CROWN VIC	035VBR	KCS-DWLS/R	2FAFP71W72X104920	Key
7)	1990	ACURA	LEGEND	032ZCK	WSP-ACC	JH4KA3261LC016198	Key
	1999	PONTIAC	SUNFIRE	941THA	KCS-ARREST	1G2JB1243X7544860	Key
9)	2002	FORD	FOCUS	AEV0244	KCS-ACC	1FAHP36302W253892	Key
10)	1992	TOYOTA	COROLLA	083RTZ	WSP-AB	1NXAE91A8NZ286273
11)	1991	MERCURY	CAPRI	501ZLJ	WSP-AB	6MPCT01Z6M8631997	Key
12)	1991	TOYOTA	COROLLA	ACN5426	KCS-DWLS	1NXAE97A5MZ262549	Key
13)	1992	ACURA	VIGOR	563WDE	PLI-AB	JH4CC2559NC003181
14)	2007	MAZDA	6	323XHF	WSP-DUI	1YVHP80C975M20936
15)	1969	PROWLER	17 FT  TRAILER	.	KCS-AB	23D9FS0393
16)	2002	KASEA	MOPED	9A0032	KCS-AB	KM4CA13A321304826
17)	2002	HAULMARK	TRAILER	.	PLI-AB	16HCB08122U026557
18)	1989	HONDA	CIVIC	060XXK	KCS-AB	2HGED6359KH539088
19)	1991	FORD	ESCORT	188NTM	PLI-AB	3FAPP1284MR109639
20)	1990	TOYOTA	CAMRY	203WCK	POS-UNAUTH	JT2SV21E7L0349282
21)	1995	FORD	ESCORT	637SCZ	KCS-AB	1FASP11J2SW172098
22)	1989	ACURA	LEGEND	075ZPM	PLI-AB	JH4KA3266KC011092
23)	1997	MERCURY	SABLE	176VXG	PLI-AB	1MELM50U0VG641793
24)	2000	HONDA	CIVIC	646WZH	PLI-AB	1HGEJ6173YL811577
25)	2000	CADILLAC	DEVILLE	079ZLG	PLI-AB	1G6KD54Y8YU288870
26)	1996	PONTIAC	GRAND AM	727TJT	PLI-UNAUTH	1G2NE52M2TC714692
27)	1991	LINCOLN	TOWN CAR	116ZFV	WSP-ARREST	1LNCM81W9MY763527
28)	1996	CHEVROLET	LUMINA	980VEJ	PLI-AB	2G1WL52M4T9121275
29)	1996	FORD	TAURUS	321TJR	KCS-AB	1FALP52UXTG203274
30)	1995	PONTIAC	BONNEVILLE	038SFI	KCS-AB	1G2HX52K3S4228598

Click here for driving directions to the auction.

Auction list subject to change.

For a complete listing and vehicle photos, visit our current listing page online.

For auction rules and procedures, visit our auction page.

Car Auction 6/3/2011

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #416
Auction: JUNE 3, 2011 11:00AM
Previews: JUNE 3, 2011 8:00AM-11:00AM
801 S 176th St  Burien, WA 98148
#	Year	Make	Model	License	Code	VIN	Misc.
1)	1979	BMW	320	252YHF	PLI-AB	5480443
2)	1994	NISSAN	SENTRA	627UIU	WSP-AB	JN1EB31P8RU337277	Key
3)	1994	MITSUBISHI	GALANT	876LRX	PLI-AB	4A3AJ56G5RE083957
4)	1993	TOYOTA	CAMRY	904XQL	PLI-AB	JT2VK12E8P0179230
5)	2002	KIA	SPECTRA	246ZLG	WSP-DUI	KNAFB121X25196869
6)	1994	VW	JETTA	256TTA	PLI-AB	3VWSB81H5RM052561
7)	1989	GEO	METRO	707TBJ	PLI-UNAUTH	JG1MR2162KK763689
	1995	NISSAN	ALTIMA	057WUG	PLI-AB	1N4BU31D7SC254120
9)	1994	TOYOTA	CAMRY	660UVZ	PLI-AB	4T1SK12E9RU849949
10)	1974	DATSUN	P/U	B55514F	KCS-DWLS	PL620367814
11)	1991	CHRYSLER	LEBARON		KCS-DWLS/R	1C3XJ5530MG130793
12)	1996	AUDI	A4	509TEI	KCS-AB	WAUDA88D1TA296193
13)	1994	CHEVORLET	CORSICA	353XTT	KCS-AB	1G1LD55M1RY174676
14)	1994	FORD	ESCORT	ABE8918	KCS-ARREST	3FARP15J0RR136920
15)	1997	DODGE	CARAVAN	130ECS	KCS-AB	2B4GP4437VR293038
16)	1993	FORD	AEROSTAR	619VNI	KCS-AB	1FMCA11U7PZB53980
17)		REMOVED	REMOVED			REMOVED
18)	1980	ROAD M	BOAT TRAILER	0923LI	KCS-AB	CBT758223
19)	1990	CHEVROLET	VAN	B77168K	KCS-AB	1GCGG35K3L7152856
20)	1986	DODGE	RAM P/U	B56032F	KCS-AB	1B7JD24W7GS097148
21)	1996	DODGE	INTREPID	984YAY	KCS-VUCSA	1B3HD56F4TF107815
22)	2002	FORD	EXPLORER	B51937G	KCS-ACC	1FMZU72E12UA19807
23)	1988	NISSAN	PICKUP	B05568K	KCS-ACC	1N6HD16S9JC302342
24)	1995	CHEVROLET	ASTRO	B13355A	PLI-AB	1GCDM19W2SB234991
25)	1986	FORD	F-150	B72435G	PLI-UNAUTH	2FTDF15H6GCB84237
26)	1987	JEEP	CHEROKEE	981YQC	PLI-AB	1JCML7814HT091913
27)	2001	DODGE	INTREPID	266UMX	PLI-AB	2B3HD46RX1H632765
28)	1998	CADILLAC	SLS	646SYH	KCS-DWLS	1G6KS54Y7WU900348
29)	1989	HONDA	ACCORD	842SSZ	PLI-AB	1HGCA6286KA007601
30)	1992	BUICK	REGAL	235YEF	PLI-UNAUTH	2G4WD54T8N1416157
31)	2002	HONDA	ACCORD	619VIF	PLI-AB	JHMCG66852C010029
32)	1989	CHEVROLET	CORSICA	576YGC	WSP-ACC	1G1LZ54W2KE202190
33)	1993	FORD	TAURUS	889XVB	PLI-AB	1FACP52U0PG271203
34)	1988	CHEVROLET	CAPRICE	324VPB	KCS-DWLS	1G1BN51H7JR152536	Key

 

Click here for driving directions to the auction.

Auction list subject to change.

For a complete listing and vehicle photos, visit our current listing page online.

For auction rules and procedures, visit our auction page.

Car Auction 4/1/2011

 

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #414
Auction: APRIL 1, 2011 11:00AM
Previews: APRIL 1, 2011 8:00AM-11:00AM
801 S 176th St  Burien, WA 98148
#	Year	Make	Model	License	Code	VIN	Misc.
1)	1993	TOYOTA	COROLLA	891VOJ	WSP-ACC	1NXAE09E4PZ077263	KEY
2)	1992	SATURN	SL2	566WPW	WSP-ACC	1G8ZJ5470NZ186676
3)	1991	CHEVROLET	CAVALIER	263ZQS	KCS-DWLS	1G1JC54G8M7317983
4)	1995	NISSAN	MAXIMA	811AQV	POS-G-AB	JN1CA21D2ST056209
5)	2008	SUBARU	IMPREZA	145YSU	KCS-DWLS	JF1GE616X8H511806	KEY
6)	1997	FORD	AEROSTAR	137UAH	PLI-AB	1FMDA11U5VZB50349
7)	1995	JEEP	CHEROKEE	448SHG	KCS-DWLS	1J4GZ78Y8SC699168	KEY
	1987	GMC	SAFARI	201USD	PLI-AB	1GKDM15Z2HB501205
9)	2000	FORD	EXPLORER	014WPP	KCS-AB	1FMZU73E4YZB56914	KEY
10)	1986	JEEP	CHIEF	993LPD	PLI-AB	1JCWC7830GT211070
11)	2000	HONDA	PASSPORT	105WYK	KCS-AB	4S6DM58W9Y4416454
12)	1994	PLYMOUTH	VOYAGER		KCS-ARREST	1P4GH44R9RX377045
13)	1986	FORD	F250	B35473L	KCS-AB	1FTHX25L1GKB07618
14)	1983	GLENDALE	MOTORHOME	535YBN	KCS-AB	1FDKE30G7DHB83599
15)	1991	GEO	METRO	333TLY	KCS-ACC	2C1MR246XM6716531	KEY
16)	1985	TOYOTA	P/U	B56505G	KCS-AB	JT4RN56D9F5044204
17)	1999	DODGE	INTREPID	721WOL	KCS-AB	2B3HD46R8XH739970
18)	2001	FORD	FOCUS	646YJS	KCS-DWLS/R	1FAHP38331W107160	KEY
19)	1998	MAZDA	626	ACX0840	KCS-AB	1YVGF22C7W5721759
20)	1990	JAGUAR	VD	109YKY	KCS-AB	SAJKY1740LC614731
21)	1988	LINCOLN	TOWN CAR		WSP-AB	1LNBM82F4JY605666
22)	1997	CHEVROLET	LUMINA	AAN2383	PLI-AB	2G1WL52M2V1152364	KEY
23)	2001	SUBARU	FORESTER	657WTX	POS-G-AB	JF1SF65581H729189
24)	1992	OLDSMOBILE	DELTA 88	019ZXF	KCS-AB	1G3HY53L6NH337330
25)	1997	CHEVROLET	LUMINA	701WTL	KCS-DWLS	2G1WL52M8V9314192	KEY
26)	1996	FORD	TAURUS	605VDJ	POS-ACC	1FALP52U6TA195645

 

Click here for driving directions to the auction.

Auction list subject to change.

For a complete listing and vehicle photos, visit our current listing page online.

For auction rules and procedures, visit our auction page.

Car Auction 7/2/2010

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #405
Auction: JULY 2, 2010 11:00AM
Previews: JULY 2, 2010 8:00AM-11:00AM
301 S. Sullivan St, Seattle WA 98108
#	Year/Model			License/ID	Code	Description
1	96	DODGE	DAKOTA	1B7GG23Y4PS149159	KCS-STOLEN	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
2	80	DATSUN	PICKUP	B61148L	WSP-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
3	98	CHEVROLET	BLAZER	940SMS	KCS-DWLS	BKN GLASS.DENTS, DINGS
4	95	HONDA	PASSPORT	637UOK	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
5	92	FORD	EXPLORER	857YZM	KCS-DWLS	FRONT END DAMAGE
6	87	BMW	325	WBABB130XH1926283	PLI-AB	INTERIOR DAMAGE
7	88	TOYOTA	CAMRY	258UHK	PLI-UNAUTH	FRONT END DAMAGE
8	97	PONTIAC	GRAND AM	574WSA	PLI-AB	SIDE DAMAGE
9	88	NISSAN	200SX	053SMO	KCS-ACC	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
10	86	CHEVROLET	MONTE CARLO	626SPR	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
11	94	BMW	325IS	NO PLATE	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
12	96	DODGE	STRATUS	309SZI	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
13	92	HONDA	ACCORD	094ERB	KCS-ACC	FRONT END DAMAGE
14	94	VOLVO	940	989RMW	KCS-AB	UNIQUE AROMA
15	98	PONTIAC	GRAND AM SE	894YXB	KCS-DUI	FRONT END DAMAGE
16	3	TOYOTA	COROLLA	527ZGF	WSP-ACC	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
17	93	SATURN	SL	453UFF	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
18	88	TOYOTA	CELICA	320WCV	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
19	96	FORD	TAURUS	001UHN	WSP-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
20	86	CHEVROLET	EL CAMINO	234TAY	WSP-STOLEN	FLAT TIRES
21	93	ACURA	VIGOR	036SRI	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
22	97	PONTIAC	GRAND PRIX	400WDV	WSP-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
23	93	HONDA	ACCORD	960UOL	KCS-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
24	99	MAZDA	626	417YYX	PLI-AB	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
25	90	HONDA	ACCORD	575THF	KCS-DWLS	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
26	2	DODGE	STRATUS	234YOC	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
27	86	MERCURY	COUGAR	802VKF	PLI-AB	BKN GLASS.DENTS, DINGS
28	95	GEO	PRIZM	166VYJ	WSP-ACC	SIDE DAMAGE
29	90	TOYOTA	COROLLA	709ZHS	PLI-UNAUTH	FRONT END DAMAGE
30	88	HONDA	CIVIC	950TXG	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
31	94	HONDA	CIVIC	074TKT	PLI-UNAUTH	DENTS, DINGS, SCRATCHES
32	53	BROWN	24′ TRAILER	535860	PLI-AB	HAS LIFT GATE
33	84	GMC	BOX TRUCK		KCS-AB	SIDE DAMAGE
34	.	CADILLAC	COUPE	WN1640	PLI-AB	MISSING PARTS
35	57	CADILLAC	.	58E021598	PLI-AB	MISSING PARTS

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

Car Auction 6/4/2010

Abandoned Vehicle Auction #404
Auction: JUNE 4, 2010 11:00AM
Previews: JUNE 4, 2010 8:00AM-11:00AM
301 S. Sullivan St, Seattle WA 98108
#	Year/Model			License/ID	Code	Description
1	90	VOLVO	740	275PPG	PLI-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
2	89	CADILLAC	DEVILLE	153PWP	WSP-ACC	Front Damage
3	01	DODGE	INTREPID	206VTY	PLI-AB	Flat Tire, Dents
4	99	CADILLAC	DEVILLE	840YTN	KCS-DWLS	Dents, Dings, Scratches
5	89	CHEVROLET	CELEBRITY	789LBL	KCS-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
6	92	CADILLAC	SEVILLE STS	828UVZ	PLI-AB	Flat Tire, Dents, Scratches
7	92	FORD	THUNDERBIRD	469REV	KCS-DWLS	Dents, Dings, Scratches
8	94	MITSUBISHI	GALANT	754WYP	PLI-UNAUTH	Dents, Dings, Scratches
9	87	CHEVROLET	CAVALIER	783ZOJ	WSP-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
10	91	DODGE	DAKOTA	K297857	PLI-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
11	00	FORD	EXPLORER	920FAK	POS-G-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
12	00	GMC	JIMMY	870RRI	PLI-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
13	84	VW	VANAGON	586WAZ	KCS-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
14	91	FORD	EXPLORER	452ZMR	PLI-AB	Dents, Dings, Scratches
15	95	CHEVROLET	BLAZER	585SVM	KCS-AB	Flat Tire, Dents, Scratches
16	93	FORD	EXPLORER	140UGF	KCS-NVOL	Dents, Dings, Scratches
17	91	OLDSMOBILE	CUTLASS CIERA	286SJS	KCS-AB	Flat Tire, Dents, Scratches
18	95	CADILLAC	EL DORADO	212TBN	WSP-ACC	Roll Over
19	93	CHEVROLET	CAPRICE	897SFE	WSP-AB	Front Damage, Dents
20	92	CADILLAC	EL DORADO	983PRP	KCS-AB	Flat Tire, Dents, Scratches
21	90	CADILLAC	FLEETWOOD	672THF	.	Dents, Dings, Scratches
22	88	RELEASED	RELEASED	RELEASED	KCS-DUI	Front Damage
23	92	HONDA	ACCORD	974TCF	WSP-ACC	Front Damage, Rear Damage
24	92	NISSAN	240Z	579YWJ	PLI-UNAUTH	Front Damage
25	91	DODGE	SPIRIT	991TEE	KCS-AB	Front Damage, Dents
26	89	TOYOTA	COROLLA	428XRN	KCS-ACC	Front Damage
27	88	HONDA	ACCORD	AAD9778	PLI-UNAUTH	Dents, Dings, Scratches
28	86	HONDA	ACCORD	676YOA	PLI-UNAUTH	Dents, Dings, Scratches
29	86	VW	JETTA	866VBR	PLI-UNAUTH	Dents, Dings, Scratches
30	85	TOYOTA	COROLLA	419XAP	PLI-UNAUTH	New Hummer H-5
31	96	SUZUKI	ESTEEM	183TJV	.	Dents, Dings, Scratches
32	89	TOYOTA	CAMRY	336XRU	PLI-UNAUTH	Flat Tire, Dents, Scratches
33	95	FORD	ASPIRE	691SSJ	PLI-AB	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.

Burien + Classic Cars = A Fathers Day Hit

Millions of dollars worth of antique cars & trucks lined the streets of Burien last week for the annual Fathers Day Car Show, turning the the city’s downtown into a spectacular parking lot for car lovers of all ages. With a turnout of more than 200 vehicles crowding the city streets, participants proudly unveiled the fruits of their hard labor as onlookers came from all over the Puget Sound area to appreciate their pristinely shined mechanical beauties.

It was chrome and aluminum as far as the eye could see down 152nd street in the shadow of the new Burien Town Square, which includes a new 7 story condominium building, a 20,000 square foot City Hall and an 18 million dollar public library. The long line of displayed classics continued on down 6th Avenue Southwest and also along 4th Ave SW. Some car show guru’s who were unwilling to pay the entry fee participated in the show but were excluded from the competition by parking their project cars in legal street parking spaces around the perimeter of the exhibition. The official portion of the car show was hosted by The Discover Burien Association.

For Airport Towing the event was a tribute to it’s founding father, Mark Storer who birthed the company 21 years ago and remained heavily involved as the CEO until he died 1 year ago. Mark was a committed father of 3 children but also took on a fatheresque role to several towing industry professionals whom he trained throughout his tenure as the company’s owner. Today Airport Towing remains a family owned and operated business and the people employed are adopted as additional members of the extended family.

Mark was responsible for collecting 13 unique trucks that comprise the Storer Tow Truck Collection. Three of the trucks were on display for the annual Fathers Day car show:

• “The Dodge” is a 1937 Dodge Brothers 1 1/2 ton truck with a Holmes tow unit attached.
• “The 29″ is a 1929 Ford Model AA tow truck with a Weaver crane and is said to be the most beautiful and valuable truck in the collection.
• “The T” is a 1925 Ford Model TT flatbed that was turned into a tow truck by Mark as his first antique vehicle project.

All the trucks in the Storer Tow Truck Collection have some historical significance in Airport Towing’s history and are the product of Mark’s passion for unique & beautiful treasures. The three tow trucks drew a steady crowd throughout the day as they were decorated with photos of Mark and his youngest son Brian who died with him in last years airplane crash. Showing the trucks was one of Mark’s earliest and most reliable employees, Rocky Willis, the tow truck driver / mechanic who was responsible for a vast majority of the restoration work to the antique trucks. Rocky began his career with Airport Towing in 1989 and continues to volunteer to drive the tow trucks in local car shows and parades. Next week Rocky will be driving the Model T in the Burien 4th of July Parade. The parade route begins at the Airport Towing / Burien Towing office and continues through downtown Burien.