Wisconsin’s Zeb’s Auto Salvage

This month I am going to try something different. I have been eagerly awaiting this blog because I have wanted for a while to include our readers in what I do here. This month I have that chance to supply you with a salvage yard in Wisconsin that I have personally only been to twice, and it was well before I was writing about trucks.

It has always been my intention to jump all over the country to give our readers some variety. Sure, the East Coast readers love me, but in the future, I will strive to take submissions from you so everyone can see what other corners of the country has.

This is the first post with a guest photographer. Zeb’s Auto Salvage in Tigerton, Wisconsin, was sent to me by the yard’s owner, Mike Kasperek.

The yard was started in the early 1950s by a man named Henry Bernitt. The street the yard is located on bears his name. In 1983, the Kasperek family bought the business. It was run by Mike’s father Zeb until his passing, and now Mike runs the show.

Here we see a whole row of vintage trucks representing a wide range of years.

I normally don’t see panel vans in my travels as old as this 1940 Chevy.

Obviously, the 1927 Essex was the focus of the photo, but in the background we see at least three truck bodies.

This photo also spotlights two very old trucks. On the left is a 1939 Chevrolet and on the right is a 1947 Ford F-5.

This photo highlights two vintage trucks that we don’t see every day. On the left is a 1946 Dodge and on the right is a 1959 Chevrolet C-50 flatbed.

I realize that a 1956 Cadillac limousine isn't a truck, but in the back, you can see several trucks, including a decent front end of a GMC.

From the Dodge section, I can spot at least one truck and one station wagon.

I couldn’t help but notice the pink station wagon in the air in the middle of the Pontiac section.

According to Mike, vintage parts vehicles dried up in Wisconsin long ago, which is what makes his yard unique. His yard houses 2,000 vehicles, of which at least 1,500 are from the 1920s to the 1970s. He told me that there are over 100 in the 1930s section alone.

Most makes and models are represented and kept in rows, making shopping easier. Mike tries his best to keep the weeds under control during the summer months. It is best to always call ahead for a visit, because Mike is out sometimes searching for other vehicles down south.

Mike allows browsing but only he can remove a part. Some vehicles have titles and can be sold complete. Finally, the only strict rule of the yard is no children or pets may enter the yard.

Hopefully more readers will contribute, and I can continue to share yards all across the country. I know that there are vintage yards in all 50 states, and our goal is to cover them all. Email me your suggestions and submissions at joesharretts@gmail.com.

Zeb’s Auto Salvage is located at N3181 Bernitt Rd., Tigerton, WI 54486. The hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. You can call the yard at 715-754-5885.

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