For restorers and repairers of older cars and classics, a 20-acre wrecking yard is a field of dreams. Fletch travels to Flynn's Wrecking Yard in Cooma, NSW - a family business that dates back to 1955 and reported to be the biggest wrecking yard in the southern hemisphere. With 4,000 vehicles spread across the property and a wide choice of makes and models from as far back as 1930.
Wayne tells how his father Flynn began the wrecking business as a sideline while an apprentice motor mechanic in Cooma. Over time he progressively accumulated more and more vehicles before acquiring the 20 acres of land just outside Cooma that is now Flynn's Wrecking Yard.
Today apart from the endless trail of motoring enthusiast restorers and repairers who spend their time combing through the yard, tourists also enjoy the adventure it offers. It's a travel back in time, rediscovering vehicles and great memories of earlier times.
After 75 years as a family business, Wayne says "times up". He is looking to retire and plans to sell the business, hoping to find another like-minded individual or group to take it on into the future. The alternative is the crushers, and that for Wayne is the last resort because once they are gone, they're gone forever. Cooma is a great location to live, and the business attracts purchasers from around Australia and overseas.
There is a story or a soul behind every car in the yard. As Fletch puts it, "they would rather see a tree grow through a vehicle out here than put through the crusher". Wayne credits his wife Vicki for lots of the hard work in keeping the family business going and says, "behind every good man is a great woman."
We wish Wayne and Vicki the best of luck finding a new owner to keep Flynn's Wrecking Yard on the map.
Fletch loves wrecking yards, and Flynn's brings back great memories of the wrecking yards they visited on his US trips, one in particular in Denver, Colorado, and he takes us back there to recount some great memories.
Congratulations, Fletch, on this your 700th episode. Keep them coming.
