There is a little slice of automotive heaven just north of Atlanta. It’s a vintage vehicle resting ground that is well known by local photographers, but precious few others.
If you’re in search of a nostalgic stroll through the past 80 years of automotive history, then a visit to the Simpson Farm should be at the top of your to-do list.
Simpson’s Farm features over 500 old cars, trucks, tractors, and other vehicles in various states of disrepair, neatly laid out in rows just waiting to be photographed and admired.
Just think Old Car City in White, Georgia without the kudzu, relentless insects, and $30.00 entrance fee.
Photographers Dream
When you pull into the Farm, you are immediately greeted by the organization of Mr. Simpson’s vintage outdoor museum. The rows are methodically categorized—fire trucks with fire trucks, tractors with tractors, and so on throughout.
There is ample room to walk around each member of the collection and take in the visual feast. The Farm is a photographer’s dream.
Consider these photos from shorterimage, Lindsay Hartman, and Jessica Tanner as proof.
The Simpson Farm is not merely a wooded grove where forsaken cars eventually become part of the overgrowth. The massive, level fields of the Simpson Farm are well-tended and neatly trimmed.
The roads, while gravel, are flat and beautifully maintained.
Memories Served Up With A Slice Of Life On The Side
When you walk the Farm, it seems like every third vehicle you pass by brings back some fond distant memory. A slice of your automotive life on silent display, weathering in the elements, and the unrelenting Georgia sun.
They once were a prized possession, and a representation of personal freedom, now merely a warm nostalgic reminder. Each one abandoned, paint fading, metal rusting, rubber cracking, and seals leaking.
Slowly they are being reclaimed by the elements, often sinking into the very earth from where they came. Even crumbling, there is a beauty to them when viewed through a photographer’s lens.
In Search Of The Backstory
Often the best story is the backstory, the one the general public never hears. Such is the case here. You could take in the experience of the Simpson Farm and still have questions nagging at your subconscious.
Questions like, “Why are the vehicles laid out like they are?” “Who goes to all of this work to maintain the grounds and not charge for admission?” and most of all, “Should we even be walking around on someone else’s property?”
The truth is, we had made some calls earlier to find someone who could share the Simpson Farm story. We were thinking perhaps Mr. Simpson’s son or one of the employees would call us back.
We were shocked to have Mr. Simpson himself and his daughter Angie drive over to share his story firsthand.
A Sharing, Caring Love, Started It All
After you spend a few minutes with James Simpson, all the questions you had about his unique Farm fade away. What’s left is the knowledge that he shares his passion for vintage automobiles with others out of love.
It’s a sincere love for other automotive enthusiasts and a deep-rooted love for these timeless treasures.
Mr. Simpson started with a single truck in the salvage business. People would pay him to take scrap metal and old cars for recycling.
When he ran across something unique, he would buy it and put it on his Farm.
He first opened the doors to his trucking business in Gainesville, in 1984. Over the years, Simpson’s Trucking and Grading business have grown to over 60 trucks with more than 200 workers.
The family-owned business offers services for trucking, grading, excavating, and more. They also have a vast rock yard for your landscaping needs and are a state-licensed underground utility contractor.
Through it all, Mr. Simpson has always had a love of classic cars, souped-up hot rods, and racing. We were privileged to be given a personal tour of his private collection with his daughter, Angie.
At 76, he is still adding to his collection. In fact, we were admiring the beautifully restored vintage Ford pickup truck he purchased that week.
Contact In Advance
The Simpson Farm is a treasure trove of all types of vehicles, such as fire trucks, big rigs, tractors, trucks, cars, and more. Before you pack up your camera gear and head up to the Farm, remember that this is private property and not a public museum.
Both James and his daughter Angie are kind and compassionate people, but out of respect for their generous southern hospitality, contact them first. You can reach them on Facebook at Simpson’s Farm.
As a general housekeeping note, please mind your manors. Do not climb on the cars, or force open doors or hoods. Also, don’t drive on the grass or roll down the windows of the vintage cars.
If nostalgia is calling you, then the Simpson Farms at 3930 Roy Parks Road Gainesville, GA 30507, is the place to go.
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