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Aadlen Brothers Auto Wrecking, also known as U Pick Parts, is closing its 26-acre yard in Sun Valley after 53 years. This is the big self-serve place where you can harvest parts for your car. A big sale is preceding the final day, which is announced as New Year's Eve. The mother of all junkyards has been in numerous movies, TV episodes an music videos.
From the family's release:
This close-out sale will include Bruce, the junkyard Jaws that is the only surviving shark from the mold that was used in the making of the movie “Jaws;” a trailer used as an office in the film, “Hangover;” as well as semi-tractor trucks used in the filming of the Dolph Lundgren and Jean-Claude Van Damme movie, “Universal Soldier.” A 53’ trailer Usher danced atop in the music video “My Way” that was painted to look like a giant boom box.
This is just a small sampling of what is available at AAdlen Brothers.But that’s not all! By way of just one example of the living history behind the walls of this 26-acre site are the Russian jeeps captured in Egypt during the Israeli’s Six-Day War. Moreover, there is a 1940s-era Helms Bakery truck; actual arches from the historic Studio City Car Wash; a train caboose used during the Southern Pacific heyday of train travel; more than 2,500 junk cars and trucks; collectable art pieces; all the equipment used to run a high volume car dismantling operation; display cases, fixtures, Hong Kong vinyl, car crusher, shear and an excavator.
The word unique is sorely overused. This time it’s more than applicable. This site has unique offerings not found anywhere else.
AAdlen Brothers Auto Wrecking, U Pick Parts is at 11590 Tuxford St. in Sun Valley and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. From their website:
The following are a few of the studios which have filmed on our lot; Paramount Studios, Universal City Studios, Columbia Pictures, Lorimar, Lava Films and Monster Films. The movies filmed at Aadlen Bros. include: The Running Man, Deep Impact, Escape from LA, BarbWire, In Cold Blood and The Chase.Television shows that have been filmed here or have rented vehicles for sets include: The "A" Team, Beverly Hills 90210, Hunter, JAG, MacGyver, Martial Law, Pacific Blue, Profiler, Tales From the Crypt and most recently the pilot for Good vs. Evil.
The most recent Music Videos filmed at our location are Sheryl Crow's "Sweet Child of Mine" and Usher's "You Make Me Wanna."
* Thursday 10-29 update: Aadlen Bros has donated some pieces to the Valley Relics Museum, including what it calls Armet & Davis-designed arches that used to stand over the car wash and Tiny Naylor's coffee shop at Lauel Canyon and Ventura boulevards. Info
