Those of us who have had the privilege to serve, or whose parents served, are often given access to a mythical world that most aren’t privy. One where aging infrastructure and moldy bathrooms are the norm. Beyond a rusted chain-link fence with signs that read “Posted” and “Lethal use of force” lies a world that those looking in conspire about. Movies like Independence Day, Stripes and Delta Farce enforce a stereotype that these restricted areas, military bases, are wrought with intrigue and wonder.

Really, they mostly suck. With the exception of a few giant hubs, U.S. Military bases are often located in lackluster locations, where a state can offer tax incentives and not worry about giving up valuable land. Yes, some towns grew up around them, but more often than not the fantasy non-military or non-affiliated people have is just that. Fantasy. Depending on the branch, each service typically “makes do” with buildings and roads dating back to the Cold War. Some even earlier. Yes, there are quality of life improvements, but they are shilled out to the lowest bidder. Roads are cracked. HVAC and toilets work intermittently. Mostly, apart from the presence of military personnel, it is rather unremarkable and not dissimilar to the world surrounding it.

That’s not to say the base (post, camp, annex, or whatever it is labeled) doesn’t have unique characteristics, they just aren’t as numerous as civilians might expect. The U.S. military has always been a microcosm of larger society. Historically, bases contained all that a small American town might consist of. Grocery store, library, bowling alley, theater. Likewise, the makeup of personnel is diverse. Akin to distilling society down to a petri dish. Not only do you have people from all parts of the country, but spouses they may have met overseas. A veritable tour-de-force of geographically racial and ethnic diversity. One that can only exist in this environment. One that thrives in this environment. One that, really, can only be experienced in this environment.

The coolest part… all that diversity bleeds into the base itself. The commissary carries more imported foods than a World Market. Bringing staples from Europe and Asia cuisine to military members and their families. Fundraisers and potlucks include homemade lumpia and pancit next to a crockpot of southern style pulled pork and mac’n cheese. Piergoie? Yeah, we’ve got that!

So, what does this have to do with lemons? There is a special place, a magical place on the base. One where this diversity of cultures and interests manifests not in food or drink… but machine. A cracked parking lot, sandwiched between uncondemned dorms (living quarters that had been condemned and magically are no longer) and temporary trailers that have been in use for over a decade.

The Lemon Lot (or resale lot) is where military members, their family, and retirees park vehicles they are looking to sell. Vehicles that have traveled all over the world. Vehicles that come from all over the world. A place I visit weekly and dream of buying at least one, if not many random ass cars.

I could write extensively on this, but pictures are worth a thousand words. So why not show you?

1998 Subaru Sambar 4WD. First introduced in 1961, the Sambar is a cab over vehicle (in that the cab sits over the front wheels) and is available in pickup and van. Like a Porsche, it features a rear engine and rear wheel or all wheel drive. Subaru built the Sambar until 2012, after that Daihatsu took over production. They’ve been used as campers, food trucks, fire engines and more.

1976 Ford Grand Torino. Starsky and Hutch made the Grand Torino famous, and Clint Eastwood made it infamous. Built from 1968 till 1976, this beige baby represents the final year of Ford’s big ole’ boy. Starting as an upscale version of the Fairlane it became its own model in 1970/71. Available as a two door, four door and wagon, the Grand Torino was the hero car of the tv-show Starksy and Hutch and the namesake of a Clint Eastwood film based on the phrase “old man yells at cloud.” Mr. Eastwood even wrote and sang a song about it. Seriously, he did. This was before he talked to an empty chair.

1990 Mini Cooper. Mini has a not so mini (read: long) and confusing history. Built by various manufacturers from 1959-2000, this 1990s iteration would have been built by Rover Group out of the UK. The classic Mini, in the UK, was built by three different companies over the course of its 40-year life span, British Motor Co, British Leyland, and Rover. Outside the UK it had 11 different manufacturers and has gone by 14 separate names.

2003 Mercedes-Benz C-230. While not as oddball at the rest, this 2003 Merc’ C-230 sports the less common hatchback design. The supercharged (known as Kompressor) inline four spits about 189 horsies when new. While not in relatively good knick, this one would make an ideal track car with its six speed manual transmission.

1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I love gooooooold… and beige. Peak opulence in 1995, this Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited was tops for any burgeoning baby boomer. Gold trim with leather so beige and pillowy you’d think… um… I’m not sure because my god it looks like you’d be sitting on Missy Eliot’s snowsuit. I’m not sure what is more 90’s, the seats or the fact we actually desired them back then.

1993 Honda ACTY. OOOOOOOO Kei (pronounced Kay), it’s another JDM KEI van because, why not? If the aforementioned Subaru was Porsche-esque with is engine in the tail and rear wheel drive, this Honda is a supercar. Built from 1977 till 2021, the engine was mid mounted and you had the option of rear or four wheel drive. Watch out Previa lovers, now that this big (actually small) boy can be imported, you aren’t the only sportvan on the block.

1977 Ford Thunderbird (with some, ahem, “tasteful mods”). I’m not going to lie; I’m a sucker for Thunderbirds. This full-sized Ford has a few aftermarket parts I’d personally forego. But this “personal luxury vehicle” would be an ideal candidate for a 24 Hours of Lemons. The first year of the seventh generation T-Bird brought a surprisingly SMALLER wheelbase than the previous.

And a few more to boot. Sure, there are also a slew of F-150s, SUVs, and crossovers but this is just from one bases’ Lemon Lot. With over 750 base’s across the world, imagine what oddball treasures are out there to behold!?