With a passion for finding high-mileage vehicles, the author has come across numerous discarded cars with extremely large final numbers on their odometers. Among these vehicles, only two were assembled by manufacturers based in the United States, both of which were born in Canada. The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and a Dodge were built in Ontario, with the former being the highest-mile vehicle built in the United States and later found in a junkyard.
Another notable find was a 1992 Jeep Cherokee with 355,892 miles, the highest-mile vehicle built in the U.S.A by an American manufacturer based in the country. Interestingly, six of the 400k-plus-mile junkyard residents were built by Toyota, Nissan, or Honda in the U.S.A. The current top contender is a 1996 Toyota Avalon that nearly reached a million miles after being manufactured in Kentucky.
The featured vehicle in the junkyard gem is a second-generation Chrysler minivan from the 1991-1995 period, following the success of the K-platform-derived first generation. Known for their relation to the original K-Cars, the minivans shared chassis with models such as the Dodge Spirit and Plymouth Acclaim. The Chrysler minivan is equipped with a Mitsubishi 6G72 V6 engine, which is known for its reliability issues under stress.
Despite the sun-blasted paint on the body, the sheet metal of the Chrysler minivan remains straight, making it a promising find for potential restoration. The interior, although showing signs of damage from mice infestation, still appears to be in decent condition. Located in Scotts Valley, this minivan was recognized for meeting 1998 safety standards four years ahead of its time.
In conclusion, the Chrysler minivan in the junkyard gem is a testament to the durability and longevity of vehicles if properly maintained. Despite its high mileage and wear and tear, the minivan showcases the potential for restoration and preservation, serving as a reminder of the American automobile industry’s history and craftsmanship.