Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / The iconic pink Plymouth sits high above Industrial Way, not far from Highway 1, in Chilliwack. As part of its purchase of the former property where Pick-a-Part once sat, Southern Irrigation is on a mission to save the recognizable landmark in a coordinated campaign with the Salvation Army to help them build a new facility. If $50,000 is raised, the pink car will not be crushed. If $100,000 is raised, the pink car will be preserved and displayed on the new Southern Irrigation property. If $500,000 is raised, the car will be featured in community events and parades and possibly used by other charities. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Southern Irrigation aims to save pink ca

Southern Irrigation partners with Salvation Army to save the pink car from being crushed

May 25, 2023 | 10:26 AM

CHILLIWACK — Southern Irrigation in Chilliwack is on a mission to save a visible landmark in town that has withstood the test of time and bylaw compliance.

Granted, the pink car that welcomes Highway 1 motorists to Chilliwack is still around, but its fate is resting tenuously on whether Chilliwack residents can step up to the plate and preserve the eye-catching beacon of a bygone era for a good cause.

When Southern Irrigation took over the property formerly occupied by Pick-a-Part at 43645 Industrial Way in October 2022, residents may have wondered about the fate of the iconic pink Plymouth made famous by former Pick-a-Part owner John Davy. Once the property acquisition was finalized, Southern Irrigation would later embark on a fundraising campaign to commemorate the icon and bolster a non-profit organization, the Salvation Army, with funds towards a new facility for the social services charity.

“We are proud to call this well-known property the new home of Southern Irrigation, and we are eager to move our facilities to the new location,” Southern Irrigation CEO Jeff Oostenbrink said. “We aim to make an impact with the pink car, and Chilliwack will stand with us in restoring an icon while strengthening our community.”

Along with ownership of this property came the iconic pink car, and discussion around what to do with this landmark has been a common topic among Southern Irrigation owners, Southern Irrigation said in a press release.

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“It was inevitable, with the footprint of the new building being 50,000 square feet (around 1 acre) and the proposed layout of the new facilities, that the pink car would have to soon return to the ground,” Southern Irrigation said in a press release. “CEO Jeff Oostenbrink brought the idea forward to create a campaign to save the pink car while keeping the money raised within our community.”

Southern Irrigation wants to see a dedicated community partner like the Salvation Army upgrade its current facilities, which are in need of an overhaul.

“All donations will go directly to Salvation Army towards developing a new facility,” Southern Irrigation said, “so that they can work more efficiently, expand their current programs, and help even more in our community.”

Southern Irrigation says if $50,000 is raised, the pink car will not be crushed. If $100,000 is raised, the pink car will be preserved and displayed on the new Southern Irrigation property. If $500,000 is raised, the pink car will be restored to its former glory and be driven in community events and parades, used for future charities, and more.

The Chilliwack Salvation Army serves hundreds of Chilliwack individuals daily through a variety of programs, including the operation of a food bank for individuals who are unemployed or underemployed, a community soup kitchen for anyone in need of a meal, the Hope Chest, which gives individuals access to clean clothing, Emergency Disaster services and the newest initiative, The Pantry. The Pantry makes fresh produce and other food items available daily for those in need. More information on these programs and others offered by the Chilliwack Salvation Army can be found here.

Since Jeff Oostenbrink and COO Mitch Oostenbrink toured the Salvation Army facilities in 2020, Southern Irrigation has partnered on several campaigns, including volunteering through the Christmas Kettle Bell program, food drives, packing food hampers and many other volunteer positions. Southern Irrigation says will continue to support this organization for years to come. However, there is hope that the Pink Car Campaign will be their most significant partnership to date.

The pink car itself has a storied history. Beginning in 1983, John Davy leased the land that would soon become the home of Pick-a-Part. The original name was “Right Way Autobody,” providing a glimpse into John’s past career as a mechanic. In 1985, John purchased the first five acres and later acquired the seven acres beside it, which he gravelled and fenced before bringing on his lot of used vehicles.

In 1988, John went to a mechanics convention in Edmonton, where he was introduced to the concept of self-serve auto parts. John returned to Chilliwack and got to work building his business. It took about a year to fill the yard, and in that time, John had the company sign constructed and put in place. He paid a friend to place the poles and build the sign. That structure is the same one that still stands today.

In the months that followed, John was pursuing new inventory from the ICBC salvage yard when he came across a hot pink Plymouth; he reckons it was a grad car that someone had hand painted hot pink with everyday household paint. Amused at the sight of it, John bid $100 and left the yard that day with the car in tow.

With the intention of this vehicle being placed in the yard for parts, it was only when an employee jokingly said to John that it would look great on top of a sign. The car was subsequently emptied and placed atop the sign shortly thereafter.

Image: Google Maps / The former site of the Pick-a-Part at 43645 Industrial Way and the glorious pink Plymouth.

It was only a matter of time before John received a letter from the City of Chilliwack explaining how this car exceeded municipal height restrictions. However, John refused to bring the car down from its new home, and the city made it very clear that it would not be allowed back up if the vehicle ever came down. Luckily for John, he had no intention of ever bringing it down, and the car is still perched there.

As of Thursday morning, $2,193 of the initial $500,000 fundraising goal had been raised. The fundraiser ends October 31, 2023.

Chilliwack residents can help save the pink car by visiting https://www.instagram.com/southernirrigation/.