Bill’s Backyard Classics, Amarillo. #1) The Early Cars

I really enjoy visiting interesting car collections when I’m traveling. I’ve described many of these over the years on this website, as loyal readers will know. Often these collections have been accumulated by a successful businessman who has a passion for beautiful old cars and the resources to buy, restore and maintain them.

One such collection is Bill’s Backyard Classics, in Amarillo. Bill and Linda Pratt were residents of Amarillo who ran several successful businesses. Bill began collecting cars with a passion, especially after selling his businesses. The collection soon numbered well over a hundred vehicles, and Bill and Linda decided to share their hobby with interested residents and visitors to Amarillo. Several warehouses were built to house the cars and trucks, which is where you can see them if you visit today.

Bill’s Classics has a focus on great American cars, with I think only one import, a Mercedes. The oldest vehicles in the collection are from the 1920s, and the collection spans almost a century of American cars. I was especially impressed by the extensive assortment of Cadillacs (more than 20), and cars from the 1950s. The cars were beautifully and lovingly maintained and were most enjoyable to see. If I have a small criticism, it would be that they were quite closely crowded together, making them difficult to photograph.

Admission is $12.00, which includes a tour by a guide who has been employed by the family for years. The guides will tell you interesting stories about the cars, how they were acquired, the family, and so on. It was fun!

The collection is extensive, and I’ve selected some of my favorites which I will present in two parts. Today we’ll look at some of the older cars in the collection. The next post will be the “newer” cars.

1928 Ford Paddy Wagon: I’ve never seen a vehicle quite like it.