Image via Niko Brothers/YouTube
Every time there’s a major episode of flooding, like the recent Hurricane Helene tragedy in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, people get concerned about the flood damaged cars making their way into the used market elsewhere. It’s a valid concern since a flooded vehicle can have all kinds of hidden damage. Some YouTubers have documented a few of the interesting rides recovered from the waters and stored at an Asheville junkyard.
Watch a Dodge Charger mow down pedestrians during a street takeover in California.
Junk is an accurate description of these cars, unfortunately. While plenty of the flooded vehicles are rather mundane, like Kias and Hyundais, there are some real “gems” in the bunch. By that we mean rides which if they hadn’t been sitting underwater, literally, would be highly desirable in the open market.
Some haven’t been flooded but instead suffered serious damage thanks to trees falling on them, mudslides burying them, etc. Those are in some ways even sadder to see.
For example, a mud-caked Torch Red C8 Corvette which looks brand new with the airbag warning tag still on the dash. While the exterior probably has all kinds of paint damage underneath the layer of mud, the interior looks brand new and the guy even says it smells that way instead of musty. Plus, the seats’ power adjustments work.
The digital displays also turn on, showing there are just over one thousand miles on the odometer. Plus, the engine starts and no error codes show. It’s perhaps the best find in the yard.
A 2022 Dodge Charger didn’t fare so well with silt all over the interior, indicating it was completely flooded. Same with a newer Camaro, a Tahoe, and even a classic MGB.
But a 2023 Dodge Charger Hellcat with under 3,000 miles on the clock is one of the more compelling rides this guy shows. Unfortunately, the mighty Mopar looks to have gotten a little wet inside. Even worse, the dip stick shows milky oil, indicating water got into the crank case.
There’s even a derelict coffee truck in the yard, showing how the disaster took so many by surprising, wiping out livelihoods in the process.
The guy explains that he’s able to repair some flooded vehicles so they can be driven reliably every day. However, others are destined to be parts cars, so they still have value. What’s really dangerous is when someone lies about the history of a ride, claiming it’s never been in a flood, repairing little to nothing, and selling it for top dollar.
There are even more cool rides in the video, so definitely check it out and let us know which one you would rescue.
Image via Niko Brothers/YouTube
