Iconic car scrapyard to close leaving dozens of motors abandoned including rare classic Mercedes
AN URBAN explorer has given viewers a behind-the-scenes look at an iconic scrapyard full of stunning motors… weeks before its set to close its doors.
Colin Smith, known for his YouTube channel The Bearded Explorer, was invited to visit G&R Harris Modern Car Spares & Late Salvage – a beloved car parts yard in Nutbourne, near Chichester, which is set to close after more than 70 years in business.
Inside the breakers yard is a treasure trove of motors old and new – including a sporty Fiat 500 Abarth, Porsche Cayenne, Peugeot 306, Mercedes-Benz SLK, an old taxi and even a Bentley Continental GT.
Colin explains that the scrapyard has different sections, as the YouTuber begins his video with the “higher-end value cars” – including a group of Range Rovers.
It’s here that he first spots the iconic Bentley, before opening the classy motor’s driver-side door and sitting inside.
Colin says: “This is definitely out of my price range, but it is a very nice car.
“I don’t know if I’d like the fuel costs of it though!”
Further into the scrapyard, the explorer comes across a handful of sports bikes, including a Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi and KTM 125.
Taking in the condition of the bikes, Colin says: “These can probably still be saved which is why they’re parked here – I hope they can because they are beautiful bikes.”
As he goes deeper into the yard, he comes across a slightly damaged Mercedes convertible as well as a nearly-pristine Porsche Cayenne parked next to a Land Rover Discovery.
The Porsche is sadly locked and has a sign on it saying ‘not for parts, keep out’ – which might explain its condition.
As Colin trawls through yet more damaged cars, he encounters a remarkable vintage Mercedes 500 SL.
Colin says: “Look how beautiful that car is… and it comes complete with the hard-top too.”
Opening the door to look inside at the motor’s cream interior, Colin notes that the odometer reads 90,000 miles, as the scrapyard owner reveals the car’s been in the yard for “about 10 years”.
Fans of The Bearded Explorer’s channel flocked to express their amazement at his findings, and their sorrow for the closure of such an iconic scrapyard.
One user wrote: “I first went to Harris’ nearly 30 years ago and brought a replacement engine for my 1970 Mini Clubman – such a shame this business and land is gone forever.”
A second said: “Such a shame this is closing., I was about 10 years old when my Dad first took me here – I’m 35 now. I still pop in every now and then when I need a part or two.”
And a third said: “All the traditional breakers yards where you can take parts of the cars yourself have virtually disappeared in the modern sanitised world.”
This comes just days after The Bearded Explorer discovered a classic car graveyard while visiting an abandoned building, including a Mustang and a Porsche 911.
Meanwhile, a James Bond villain’s iconic number plate is set to sell for more than £300,000 at an auction.
The licence plate, used by one of 007’s arch nemeses, is being marketed by Primo Registrations.
