Ep 8. Junk Yard Gems

Strange Inheritance is a unique American television show that documents interesting stories behind people's inheritances, particularly regarding items or properties that hold historical, monetary or sentimental value. Season 1 episode 8, "Junk Yard Gems," follows the story of a Utah family who inherits a junkyard from their father after his sudden passing, and the unexpected treasures hidden within it.

The Ashdown family, based in Ogden, Utah, inherited a sprawling junkyard that has been a fixture in their community for over 60 years. Initially, the inheritance wasn't very exciting to the family as they had no interest in running a junkyard, nor did they see any value in the scrap metal that the property had to offer.

However, as they started to go through their father's possessions, they soon discovered that the junkyard was home to an impressive collection of vintage cars and other hard-to-find items. Despite their initial reluctance to become automotive collectors, the Ashdowns were intrigued by the potential value of these hidden gems and decided to explore further.

As the show progresses, viewers get to witness an exciting journey of exploration that takes the family on a quest to uncover rare cars, car parts, and valuable scrap metal. The show portrays the family as they slowly start to understand the true value of what they inherited. The process is not easy, as the property is vast, cluttered, and unorganized. The family members have to wade through acres of rusted cars, broken engines, and old car parts that have accumulated over the decades.

However, their hard work quickly pays off as they start finding some real treasures buried amidst the junkyard. The Ashdowns uncover a Ford Mustang fastback that was once owned by a prominent local businessman. The Mustang, which had languished unused for over two decades, had been gradually consumed by rust but was otherwise in excellent condition. The family is elated to have found the car and starts working to restore it to its former glory.

The Ashdown family also discovers a rare mid-sixties Mustang Shelby GT350, which had been owned by a local police detective and had been sitting in the junkyard for thirty years. The car was almost beyond repair at that point, but the family saw the potential in it and started the long process of restoration.

Along with these two valuable cars, the Ashdowns also find a treasure trove of unusual vehicles in the junkyard. They come across a 1957 DeSoto, a rusty 1953 Plymouth, and a rare 1954 Hudson Brougham. As they continue to search through the vast junkyard, they find countless other hidden gems, including car parts, signs, and other memorabilia.

The show also delves deep into the Ashdown family's history, revealing that the junkyard business was started by the Ashdown patriarch, Kay Ashdown, in 1958. Kay had a passion for automotive parts and would often scour the countryside for old scrap metal that he could repurpose. Over time, the junkyard business grew into a successful operation and became a fixture in the Ogden community.

As the Ashdowns continue to uncover the treasures hidden within the junkyard, they come across a number of challenges along the way. They face a constant battle with city officials, who want the junkyard to be shut down due to environmental concerns. The family also struggles to balance their work at the yard with raising their young children.

But despite the challenges they face, the Ashdowns are determined to keep their inheritance alive and to preserve their father's legacy. The show ends on a high note with the family making plans to repair and restore the junkyard's hidden gems. It is clear that the family is not interested in selling the items for a quick profit but wants to restore them and cherish them as a testament to their father's life's work.

Strange Inheritance season 1 episode 8, "Junk Yard Gems," offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a family working to uncover the unexpected and valuable treasures hidden within their inheritance. It is a testament to the transformative power of inheritance and how one unexpected item can lead to a lifetime of discovery and preservation.