What is even more amazing than the oxidation of metal is the swallowing by Mother Nature. It’s both oxidation and consummation. You know, when you see some wasted hulk buried past the axles. That’s Rusty Monday! They’re so far gone you marvel at the idea that this car has been sitting here so long the earth is beckoning it back to its origins. For Rusty Monday we have some excellent examples of this phenomenon of returning from whence they came.

Behold this 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge

Let’s start this Rusty Monday with a wallop. Behold this 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge. One of the Holy Grails of muscle car fandom it was left to rot past the rockers in this barn. Some owners really plan on restoring their prized collectible cars. Others, just get off on owning them regardless of how far they deteriorate. They even enjoy having a selected few get a glimpse of their prize just to rub it in. It’s a weird deal.

But we believe this find was rescued and restored. Depending on how badly the rockers and frame are rusted it could possibly retain its original paint and decals. Maybe, but probably not.

Next up is this 1950 Studebaker bullet nose two-door sedan

Next up is this 1950 Studebaker bullet nose two-door sedan. Whoever shot this throwback to the jet-age 1950s took a number of shots that have made their way onto the internet unattributed. In one shot you’ll see a 1940

Oldsmobile though we can’t tell what body style it might be. We suspect it is a four-door sedan. Regardless, these poor sedans are slowly returning to their origins.

We doubt there are any decent parts that can be scavenged, but these two would make great lawn art. Just torch them off and load them up. Especially in a dry climate, they’ll last for decades as a testament to American exceptionalism and the industrial age. 

If we were to guess we’d say this is a 1935-36 Ford pickup cab

This mid-1930s pickup cab has almost completed its complete retreat back to Mother Earth. If we were to guess we’d say this is a 1935-36 Ford pickup cab. Some of the body reveals and details seem to point in that direction. But who cares? What is amazing is its submission not only to the earth but to trees. It almost looks like those trees are feeding off of the truck cab. Do trees like iron? Who knows-we’re car people, not Dendrologists (look it up).

An honest-to-goodness Messerschmitt Kabinenroller

Slowly melting into the dirt is an honest-to-goodness Messerschmitt Kabinenroller. These were three-wheel bubble cars made in Germany from 1955 to 1964. After WWII the former Messerschmitt aircraft company got back on its feet producing these unique cars. 

Today they’re highly collectible and for those really into these monocoque marvels, these images must make them weep. There’s a possibility this could be saved, especially since prices are starting to fly past the $60,000 mark for restored examples. All of the trim is there and so it looks to be fairly complete. Would you take it on?

To be honest we’d be a bit freaked to see what lurks inside of what’s left

Our final look is at a Volkswagen Microbus. We can’t tell you much about it other than it is not a 23-window or pass-thru model. What we can say is that there is nothing salvageable left to lift. To be honest we’d be a bit freaked out to see what lurks inside of what’s left of it. A rat’s nest. Crocodiles? Snakes? We’d pass on this at all costs.

We’ll be back next week with another Rusty Monday.