You are invited to come on a walking tour of one of the neatest salvage yards you may ever get a chance to see. Desert Valley Auto Parts (otherwise known as DVAP) has been around for over 30 years and has established a reputation – both in Arizona and far beyond – as a trusted source for hard-to-find original parts for vintage vehicle restorations. DVAP also sells complete cars, as you’ll see.
Chances are, if you have owned a classic from 1940 through 1980 you have already learned how difficult it can be to track down certain components (especially in clean, rust-free condition). My first visit to DVAP took place in February 2018 when my friend Dane tipped me off on the venue. The facility gained notoriety when it was featured in a Discovery Channel television series in 2011 called Desert Car Kings.
Today, DVAP operates three locations:
- Deer Valley Phoenix (Late-model trucks, some foreign vehicles)
- Casa Grande (1930 through 1965, GM G-body, Ford Econoline, Studebaker)
- Black Canyon City (1965 and newer)
My latest video is episode 9 in the series and involved a visit in mid-November to the Black Canyon facility. During my 90-minute walk-about, I filmed over an hour of footage. Everywhere I turned, there was something interesting to look at. The final video ended up at 42 minutes, and even if you don’t have that time to spare, I encourage you to scan through and enjoy as much of it as you can.
I wasn’t even around when most of the cars I admired during my visit were new, but it doesn’t matter. For me, the DVAP experience (or a visit to any automotive junkyard, really) revolves around envisioning each vehicle in its prior/original state. I like to think about the lucky original owners who proudly drove them off the showroom floors around the nation. If cars could talk, there would be a lot of colorful stories to tell about the lives they have lived.
Hope you enjoy the video, and if you did, check out the other eight episodes in the series. Thanks to Brian Smyth, DVAP Manager, who was kind enough to have some Q&A with me during my visit.
If you have interest in inquiring about a specific vehicle or part, DVAP has a search form here.
Let me know in the comment section if there were any vehicles in particular that caught your eye!
This is the kind of place where I could spend all day for sure. Or an entire week. Love piecing together the story of each car.
Love it. Good job, some of those Cadillacs were from the 60s when my dad drove them off the lot.
I am trying to find a page where I can order a couple of parts, can’t find it. Any way I will try this way. I need an electric seat motor, for a 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix. Also need a rear face bar for the same vehicle. I do not need the back bar on the rear bumper just the face bar. Any help? Thank you.
We are not the junkyard. Look them up and give them a call.
Great source for the collector who want original/non repro parts. Have purchased parts for my 55 BelAir and 65 Chevelle SS from them. Good to deal with and extremely knowledgable. Great experience! Keith.
Nice Job – thanks!!
Hello I need a left rear bumper end for a Cadilliac eldorado just the end or the whole bumper would be great.
You need to reach out to the junkyard. We are not the junkyard.
Thanks James, Keith, and Pete! I like going back every so often because the inventory can vary. I will plan another future visit.
Yeah DVAP is the bomb! Been going there for a long time – probably more than 20 years 👍 I’m like a kid in a candy store
Got parts for my 1960 olds in AZ in 1990. They were still using dial phones between yards. Networked befor computers. They knew exactly what they had in inventory.
Got more parts in Vegas out by Nellis AFB in 1993 before they racetrack was built which was the end of those fabulous yards.
I HAVE A 1966 CHEVY CAPRICE STATION WAGON. IM LOOKING FOR WOOD AND TRIM PEICES.
You need to reach out to the junkyard.