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American Motors Graveyard. Or Heaven?
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Posted On: 11/24/2010 7:51AM
amxpress

Shortly after moving to North Carolina, while driving down US 117 at 60 mph, I caught a glimpse of a Gremlin and Matador out of the corner of my eye. I turned around and pulled into a parking lot of a closed elementary school. This old school had hundreds of old AMC's sitting around the yard, along with an "American Motors" dealer sign out front. It turned out to be the collection of a former AMC dealer.

An elderly gentleman came walking up and introduced himself as Bobby Collier. He said his father opened a Nash dealership years ago, then Bobby took it over. It was amazing, he was able to tell me the history on every vehicle there. From a 1953 Nash Healy with a Cadillac engine to a 1970 Mark Donahue Javelin. He knew their original owners, when the car was purchased new, and what it was traded in on. He loves to show people around and talk about Ramblers, politics and chiropractors. I became a bit of a regular, and still stop by occasionally to get caught up on his latest acquisitions. These have included a 1968 AMX from the late Senator Barry Goldwater's estate, a '51 Nash bathtub used in a Kim Basenger movie, and a rare '72 AMX Alabama state police car. Collier AMC is an excellent place to visit and hear stories from the past, a real piece of automotive Americana. It's located on US 117 between Goldsboro Wilson, NC in Pikeville. If you're in the area, stop by and say hello... just watch where you step!




Comments (8)
Avatar By: cknarf
11/24/2010 9:15 AM

OH SHIT. AMCs! ...and an econoline? BONUS!

 
Avatar By: car-man-63
11/24/2010 9:37 AM

This is so awesome i wish i can take a trip there just to talk to Mr Bobby collier about his collection and learn some car history. I am a car salesman and i can always take advice from an old pro specially way to remember little things about his customers. This man is amazing.

 
Avatar By: ___nes___
11/24/2010 3:37 PM

Heaven if you can buy parts or the entire cars, and graveyard if they're just there to never be touched again.

 
Avatar By: retroman
11/24/2010 5:04 PM

Quite possibly the motherload of barn car finds!! Thanks for sharing.

 
Avatar By: SuzyBruisy
11/24/2010 6:19 PM

Oh my gosh, so many parts-goldmine AMCs. I'm drowning in my own drool over here. Is he parting any of them? I almost hope not.

 
Avatar By: Rodimus48Prime
11/24/2010 6:29 PM

I have a 1983 S-10 P/U 2wd with a 173/GM V6 - 2.8L...I need a Decent Long Bed some Fenders...I did some performance upgrades to it....What makes it bad...I work at a Automotive Parts Store...And they are slowly phasing out certain vehicles over 20yrs.old!!! :( / Many a emission hoses and rubber connectors are hard to come by...I can go on...However I'll just stop right now!!! Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!!!

 
Avatar By: SouthernGuy8503
11/28/2010 4:06 PM

Some AMC's I wouldn't mind having while other AMC's I could care less about. I would still stay around there for awhile just looking.

 
Avatar By: jma91122
7/28/2011 8:34 AM

wow i really need to take a ride down my name is John adams and am looking for a 71 72 ex amc 4dr ambassador or matador sedan police car to fix up with my dad and my 6 year old son,my dad allways told us what cool cars there where,I would really like to find a running one,i am grateful for any help,I have adaughter in college and i support my mom and dad so i dont have a lot of money but would really like to find one,thanks john,,i think is great that you have a site just for ex police cars,they are still great cars,all of them, I just want to preserve one and decate it to my dad and so my son can learn and ride in a great american amc,please i would be grateful for anyhelp my dad is very sick and would at lest love for him and my son to get to sit in it,thanks John adams ,jma91122@aol.com

 

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