Untouched 1950s auto parts warehouse is amazing time capsule
- This auto parts warehouse has been closed since the early 2000s
- It was opened in the 1950s by a man called George Toohey
- Fast forward to 2024, and a YouTuber is taking a look inside
Published on Oct 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Oct 28, 2024 at 12:46 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Alessandro Renesis
This auto parts warehouse from 1954 is a treasure trove of classic car parts and a true time capsule.
There are over 100,000 parts contained within its walls – and one YouTuber was lucky enough to get a closer look.
Richard Rust, the host of What the Rust?, paid a visit to the warehouse which had been closed for 23 years.
It’s been abandoned ever since and seen by virtually nobody, until now.
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Inside the auto parts warehouse that is a vintage time capsule
The warehouse in question is Toohey’s, started by George Toohey in 1954 after he returned from serving in the Korean War.
It proved to be a hit and multiple stores opened up throughout south Kentucky – 11 in total, according to a card found on the ground by Rust.
The business even had a clever catchphrase – ‘When your car goes phooey, call Toohey’.
Whilst there is a retail section to the original building, it’s primarily a warehouse filled with parts.
There are plans for the building to be renovated for other purposes, meaning the inventory inside will be cleared out.
So what’s inside that’s really special for car enthusiasts?
This warehouse is rammed with car parts, many of which are stacked up in cardboard boxes.
There’s plug wires, brake shoes, fuel pumps, spark plug wires and ignition coils.
Even the offices of the building hadn’t been properly vacated, as paperwork, receipts and furniture had been left gathering dust.
There’s something extra fascinating about an abandoned building which used to house a business.
This deserted car dealership proved to be particularly intriguing for the YouTuber that explored it.
The internet reacts to this treasure trove
Car enthusiasts could no doubt spend endless hours perusing this building and checking out the stock inside.
When footage of the warehouse made it online, viewers had a lot to say.
One admirer wrote: “I love places like that. Time capsule museum. However , its sad too.”
Another wrote: “The Aladdins Cave. I bet that feels the same as being an explorer of an Egyptian tomb.”
We’re not sure it’s quite that level, but it’s still pretty awesome.
Explorers of all stripes love nothing more than a deserted building – and what’s better than getting to share it with YouTube?
To see the Toohey auto warehouse for yourself, head over to the What the Rust? YouTube channel.