CIL,
I apologize, but I can't stand that attitude. "It is just a parts machine." Really. Why? Other than exposure to the weather, there might be nothing mechanically wrong with it. The paint and decals are chipped and worn, big deal, that doesn't make it a parts machine. The plated parts are rusty, again big deal, they can be cleaned.
The owner can do what they want, that's true, but it's still sad. Kind of like the business here in Springfield, that has a 55 Chevy 2 door up on a 30' tall pole as their advertising gimmick. Pretty sad waste of a good car in my opinion.
Joe