Underwater Recovery | Snake River | 60+ Years | 1951 Pontiac Chieftain

Absolutely needed every single person involved on this recovery, everyone involved worked so hard to make this recovery possible. We went through plan a to plan z on this job, but that’s towing and recovery! Always have to adapt and re game plan. Thanks for watching! We believe the car to be a 1951 pontiac chieftain!
#Underwater #Scuba #1953PontiacChieftain #Recovery #Melba #Idaho #Dive

[@vernareed2692]

My oldest brother had a forest green 1952 chevrolet,& a 1950s white trimmed in green Pontiac chieftain! Had an Indian chief head in headdress on front of hood! Dark green leather seats!! Really pretty!! Both hardtops.

[@douggeist4129]

L 1

[@kevingray7917]

10-20 years ago that would've been in a much deeper water. I'd say there's more where that one came from, or Lord knows what else. There'll be more stuff showing itself if the levels continue to fall. Great recovery guys. Thanks for taking us along and also the immense time and effort in editing this well thought out recovery.

[@sagebrushbob2321]

That car has been there for a LONG time. For many years before Celebration Park existed, the Guffy railroad bridge was just a steel skeleton with no bridge floor at all. There were only the two steel I-beams across the base that supported the rails. These huge beams were about 10-12" wide and set about 4ft 8 inches apart. Just about wide enough for an older car to try driving on. The bridge was also a popular place for local high school kids to hang out on Friday nights. I can just see the scenario between two eighteen-year olds: "Hey, betcha ten bucks you can't drive across the bridge."..."Okay. Hold my beer." I'm old enough to remember those bridge parties, and I'm absolutely sure that conversation took place at one time or another. Fortunately, the kids in my group were smart enough not to try it. As far as I know...

[@RR-vz2ld]

Helped my father who was a tow truck operator in the 60s and 70s, and I was in the trucking industry for 40+ years and involved in quite a few wreck recoveries. I live in the lower Treasure Valley so very familiar with most every place you go. You guys are very efficient and professional. Keep up the great work.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks for watching!

[@juniortapscott5478]

8th

[@PAMAROSHOUSE]

with all this equipment and labor i thought they were raising the titanic

[@arthurbolton8477]

the police officer never saw the bumper on that car unless you got the wrong one . a good way to locate a wreck is with a magnet fishing magnet throw it off the bridge then your diver can pull himself to it.

[@chrisread6103]

QUESTION: "Who pays the tab for a 5 day recovery?" 🤔 OH, I read down on the comments....Answer: "It was a volunteer event effort. 🙂" You guys did a Fantastic job...^5!

[@voncielrussell6260]

Ya kept saying there was a car down there, I’ll be famed if I could see it, then I finally saw something that looked like a rim and a tire. You guys are awesome to do this kind of water rescue salvage stuff.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks! 😏

[@averyllpenwright2982]

You guys are amazing remind me off AWP(ADVENTURE WITH purpose ) Jared and Team do diving and pulling cars from rivers as well

[@mpshotattwice3253]

I don't think it would've taken Adventures With Purpose 5 days to get it out .

[@BrucePerkins-mc3hp]

If you only do this kind of $​@@mpshotattwice3253once in a lifetime I learn you gp

[@dawnajamison430]

This is the best KZbin site ever.. I watch a lot of recovery videos and your site is #1

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Wow thank you! 😊

[@carlaustin7398]

That's something you don't see everyday. Thanks for sharing.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Carl!

[@rickbown6871]

Good job. I've been on that bridge several times wondering what all might be down there. A lot of gold and silver ore crossed that bridge along time ago.

[@grammyd8361]

@Rick Brown · Knowing the Snake River, any gold or silver is probably 40 miles downstream. LoL

[@raymondking6822]

Could you follow up on who owned the car and what happen also how long ago. Great Mistry video.

[@GeorgeBonez]

That is the coolest dive boat I’ve ever seen .

[@jamesmiller5643]

Watching from St Petersburg Florida Thank you guys for all you do ❤️ God bless Stay safe ❤️

[@lesflynn4455]

I'm sure there's an interesting story behind this.

[@davidball3081]

Check tires for manufacturing dates and logos. Still should have some legible information. 🤓

[@voncielrussell6260]

Jeez! What a process to go through to get this vehicle out of the river!

[@gregadomeit4020]

Dustin like I said before you guys get some crazy recoveries and as always you all did another amazing job and nobody got hurt. Take care and be safe. Greg

[@steves9915]

Awesome recovery but I kind of surprised the police didn't want to treat it as a potential crime scene with possible remains in side. Glad there didn't seem to be any however with the top gone by the time you got the fish in the boat we'll never know. Glad your divers were safe and great video as usual.

[@markcollins5026]

Man, nothing left now !

[@eddierodriguez419]

Just when I thought I've seen alot of insane hooks & boom 🤯💥🤯 u top that one lol ... Bless u brother... Keep the content coming 👍🏼✌🏼

[@rhondaskipper64]

Enjoyed your video very much, thank you for sharing

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Rhonda!

[@deeannafreshwaters3282]

Have you seen Adventures With Purpose?

[@chrisheyer4917]

Very interesting. I used to visit this bridge numerous times in my youth. In fact, when I you very young (6-8 years) my dad and a farmer friend (Dick McClaren) drove across this bridge railroad tie by railroad tie. Maybe that is where I got my fear of heights. Wonder if that car was driven across and then dumped. Its history would be interesting.

[@chrisanderson9856]

I guess my question being a diver is where is your back up diver? Should always have two divers in the water. Dive plan? Just curious?? I've seen to many people damn near die because of mechanical failure on equipment. Glad all are safe after doing this recovery! If this vehicle had been in there for all those years why the sudden need to get it out now?? With the amount of vehicle that was removed along with the time and money it cost to recover the vehicle.....was it worth the expense? Don't get me wrong I'm all for cleaning up our rivers and lakes!!!!

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

When a properly trained diver does dive solo, you never use conventional recreational dive gear.. it can kill you because it has ZERO redundancy...Safe solo diving requires double and triple redundant systems. I NEVER dive without completely different breathing gas system, and buoyancy systems. To be honest, after proper technical dive training, I would not even get in the deep end of a pool with most of the dive gear people use.,

[@SanchoGracie]

Is it worth the expense? Uh yeah, at last check we have one earth. The environment sustains us, we need to respect it & keep it clean when we can.

[@mpshotattwice3253]

Hi Chris , I think AWP would've got this out in less than 5 days .

[@jst4curiosity704]

Way to persevere guys! What a stinking job that was.

[@ljgitis550]

There is a possible reason for that to be there that no that I seen or heard mentioned. The Teton Dam broke it, there was hundreds of vehicles washed into the river and flood many miles down river and many cities. During the flooding the truck would have only need to be close to the river in a spot of the flooding and could have been moved miles down river. There is likely hundreds of cars and trucks and what ever still hiding in that river. Small streams in Sugar City, Rexburg City and around there still had cars in them into the 80's when a push was made to clean them all up. My Great Grand Parents House was moved of its foundation in Sugar City move around 2 trees and the house around it and was moved to the Rail Road Crossing down the street. This same house is shown in many clips of the flooding from an air plane above.

[@Wootangtw]

Those lifting bags are the way to go…awesome

[@kathleenkeifer4262]

Hi from Oklahoma, just started watching, loved your video, will definitely watch all of them!!!

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Kathleen!

[@valeriekoehn2302]

This looks like a Ford Country Squire.... could it be the Martin's that went missing in 1958 up in that area. I believe the waterways are connected to the part of the Columbia that the girls floated up in after a cargo ship dropped anchor on "something" in the water.

[@maxschimminger1553]

That was fun to watch good job crew

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Max!

[@HomebrewHorsepower]

53 Pontiac Chieftain. The grille, hubcap, and rear fender trim are a match.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Awesome!

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

I believe you are correct 😎

[@puremichigananglers2667]

this is clearly a 50 from the combination of the grill and the wheel well skirt piece. Come on now. The grill is obviously for the one year design of 1950

[@jacksak]

When I think I've seen all your crazy recoveries, you come along with this crazier recovery... amazing stuff... I wondering if the officials considered just leaving it there, or is there an environmental rule for this stuff? ... Thanks for another great video.

[@davidaustin6962]

Starts coming out 1:01:00. Nothin but a frame, bumpers and wheels. Well done, not an easy job.

[@edcornett2767]

Next time call adventures with a perpos

[@jenniferfelts3899]

Absolutely agree!!

[@leannehernandez282]

Should have called Adventure with Purpose. Car would have been out day 2.

[@andyb9767]

That was an adventure Thanks for sharing

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Andy!

[@jstewart2005]

Is it really worth recovering that car after all those years ,won't it just be rust and fall apart .

[@jacklaflam9783]

You should have got in touch with AWP (Jared Leisek) and got some lift bags. The vehicle could then be floated over to an easier recovery point.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

We had four lift bags on it

[@mpshotattwice3253]

Or better yet just have Jared help.

[@edpoints1127]

@@mpshotattwice3253 I wouldn't want to work with a child molester.

[@gayle4804]

In the future you should have a boat with sonar and have a magnet a big magnet with a booey on the end and drop it down to the car Then it will be marked

[@ROSE0704]

New Here! Looking forward on watching your videos.

[@charliehampel537]

Enjoyed your video. Have you watched Adventures With Purpose? They use the balloons all the time. They take them down and attach to vechles then inflate them. Lifts the car right up.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Yep we use those too. We used them on this as well

[@CanChikMay]

Actually theyre air bags, not balloons!

[@ariedekker7350]

Seen a lot from your team, this was a very special one.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks for watching!

[@bfconcrete]

Looks like you found a farmer erosion control kit. There's probably 50 cars and trucks along the banks of the river. was hoping you'd drag it with the jet boat up to the boat ramp. And yes as a taxpayer of ada county I hope you sent the bill to Owyhee County 😆 it was on their side of the river. Or was it Canyon County "that made a call" lol If it was a volunteer effort,, thank you 👍

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

It was a volunteer effort 😊

[@ulfgustafsson6084]

Great job! When i see this kind of work,i really miss towing... Well done all involved!👍

[@shanehaws3828]

That car probably drove over the trestle when the tracks were still in use

[@jimjustice581]

‘Oly chit! Just when you think you’ve seen the toughest car recovery… I hope you guys got some kind of stipend for this recovery. What did y’all do with the truck? Return it to its owner?😂

[@hodwooker5584]

I was born in Jackson Wyoming and he is right about the Snake being dangerous. Even way up stream near Jackson it is flat ass treacherous! At times you can wade across the river, but it has a lot of pot holes that are hard to see! Plus there are a lot of trees and brush to get trapped in if you are swept away.

[@jaylayland2867]

I grewup in Star Valley and fished Snake River from Jackson to Palisades . Eddie's are bad in the snake. I've been in the river just above my knees and the under current started pulling me in deeper. There have been pickup trucks and cars go in that river and never found.

[@debbiehuff137]

Excellent video and excellent dive

[@lavernebacak8682]

You need walkie talkies between winch, you and people on the boat because people are standing too close to the winch wire and the rope... Could break and hurt one of you. Keep save... Enjoyed your video

[@miketee2444]

What scares me about rope is that it gives the perfect about of stretch and recoil to launch that swivel and hook like a bullet when it let's go.

[@texasyankee1013]

Same happens with wire rope when it parts except it will cut you in half.

[@miketee2444]

@@texasyankee1013 I had a bad experience with a jeep and come along. Extended my reach with a rope that stretched and broke. It broke a few bones in my hand along with it. I knew better but wanted to get unstuck. I use a winch these days.

[@agentcrm]

@@miketee2444 There's a big difference between normal rope and the rated rope they where using. Even the wire rope they use on the tow truck is different compared to what recriational (small) winches use. What they where using is like what a yacht would use for riging. So what you're seeing is a sheath on the outide, there's a core of many continues strands internally. That rated capacity is many times lower than the braking capacity.

[@miketee2444]

@@agentcrm ya well I've never seen morons tie random loops in a thousand ft roll of Dynema so it has me wondering. I am well aware of every type rope, wire and grade of chain ever made.

[@keithb6717]

It’s very low stretch yacht braid. Used for running rigging on boats, mostly sailboats.

[@marvinsauer8493]

You guys wrecked one of my favorite bass structures. Was pretty decent place to pick up small mouths.

[@walterkehn2459]

Start useing a magnet with a buoy on it to mark the vehicles then then go down at least you’ll have a line to follow it down vehicles

[@dlbartle]

Awesome recovery job

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Darryl!

[@casedoumasr656]

That line going to the car would make a great ZIP LINE to recover some of your cost .🤔

[@tedwpx123]

chrome still in amazing shape

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Kind of shocking really

[@mjh123crh]

Back in the day most chrome was high nickel alloyed which was rust resistant. I've got a 1929 Hudson that was left down by the Columbia river for a very very long time and the cowl strip looks like it just came off the production floor.

[@chriskulpa4056]

@@mjh123crh plus the fresh water kept it protected. If you look up the recovery of the bell from the Fitz up here in Michigan they had to keep the bell under water until they could stabilize it from deteriorating.

[@vickykraft1936]

That looks crazy the car has literally became part of the river

[@casedoumasr656]

Did the owner pay for recovery ? Or the state ?

[@lloydreeves715]

Keep up the good work

[@johnmccaughan4195]

Great recovery. Fascinating to watch. Lots of expense for you as a freebie. My hat is off to you for doing this. That junk once it is found is an attractive nuisance. If it is left in there, idiots will dive on it, then comes rescue work as they will get in trouble in that current. So as expensive as it is to remove, it is best to do so. A boat ride on the Snake River has been on my bucket list for a long time.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

😎

[@freedomforever6718]

Interesting. All things considered very well executed. The truck was in the river for a long time. I'm guessing mid 1940's.

[@allenvanvliet7993]

Hard to do when is a early 50s model

[@freedomforever6718]

@@allenvanvliet7993 , Wow! So your guess is 7 years later than mine. Impressive.

[@allenvanvliet7993]

@@freedomforever6718 not a guess, just simple reading skills

[@freedomforever6718]

@@allenvanvliet7993 , Country Repair and 24 Hour Towing believes that it's a '53 Pontiac. I believe that by the cross sections on the underside of the frame that it was probably manufactured in the mid '40s. We can agree to disagree if you want.

[@woychck4]

I was right, your caption confirms it. Pontiac, I own a 51 Pontiac Chieftain. Kewl video. To bad don't see more of Sarge in videos.

[@chrisanthony579]

Interesting video, thanks. Will be interesting to see what other divers have to say about the diving part. Solo in that water, not me.

[@davidpook5778]

As a diver I'd airbag to make the recovery easy from the start,

[@teamidris]

“About to see the vehicle” yay, it was beginning to look like a duck stole your mobile phone :o)

[@edwinschlee8374]

That has been down there for quit awhile! Did you ever figure out what year it is? Good work by the whole team to get it out!

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks! We were thinking 1940’s

[@mpshotattwice3253]

@@CountryEquipmentRentals Maybe you should've asked Adventures With Purpose for help , they would have that truck hooked up the first day . How many pounds of lift on those lift bags ? 1,000 or !500 pounds.

[@darylbuckner5596]

They have some skilled mechanics at the shop. Brian. Was curious what cert the diver has?

[@SanchoGracie]

Divers are a different breed of human. That water legit gives me anxiety. I'd panic & drown.

[@peggycarson4420]

Very good job

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Peggy!

[@stuartofJax]

A thought - when you were first pulling the vehicle with the ground anchor system if add some air bags not necessarily to completely lift the vehicle because of the current but to in essence make the vehicle lighter so it can move over the bottom easier.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Did you watch the video? We had 4 air bags on it

[@stuartofJax]

I made that comment when you were first winching the vehicle to the shore with the ground anchor setup. I’ll edit my comment to reflect that. Still a great video and enjoy the professionalism you bring to your work.

[@edknudsen717]

That car was there in 1972 when I was a kid.

[@teamidris]

If you want the electric winch to reeve nicely, put an A frame on the front about 3ft long with a small fairlead on the end.

[@kenprevatt1267]

Looks like it has been in there since 51

[@robertnielsen2461]

Scott Krieger not to worry,in the area that this took placeis semi arid and dry as a bone,it's referred to as high desert.Take a look hillsides and you can see how barren they are.

[@caterpillarslim1288]

I thought there was gonna be more than just a frame and bumpers! Awesome job!

[@HighlanderNorth1]

😉👍 But the surprising thing is that while searching the old Pontiac after it was pulled from the river, I found the keys under the sun visor, pumped the gas pedal twice, and she fired right up! I was amazed that the battery & the wiring were still in great shape! Also, the owner had apparently poured some fuel stabilizer into the tank, so the gasoline was still pure! See how the body looked completely crushed and badly rusted? Well, we just buffed that right out! 😁

[@caterpillarslim1288]

@@HighlanderNorth1 🤣

[@KB-gs8zi]

Hey Dustyn !!!! Yepper as got yourself in the water again !!! Great recovery with ALL the Crews !!! Not much left to make a determination as to what it was !!! Have a good week & ""KEEP IT SAFE ""!!

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks for watching!

[@briceman7377]

I think I would have put a snatch block at the water's edge to keep a straight pull.

[@TheDude1776]

Just another day fishing the Snake. You beat my PB that's for sure.

[@jeffreyboarman4032]

It's James Dean's Porsche coming back

[@ellisschoffstall5554]

that truck been there for a while

[@georgiagamer2816]

You know yo could pulled down to the next boat ramp I watch awp they go around and pull up cars out of the river

[@SaltyNationalist]

This was like watching a 🐒🍆🏈... And you're right.. AWP would have had this out on day one..

[@Renaissance_Man7]

Looks like a Homedale demolition derby car!

[@cocopublicnews6766]

Pontiac chieftain had a great suspension it could make it out there

[@mzimm460]

So why was this pulled from the river?

[@joebarbjb6668]

Where are you and the bridge located?

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Melba Idaho

[@joebarbjb6668]

@@CountryEquipmentRentals thanks, great video. I lived in Lewiston in the 1950s and 60s. Did a lot of tubing from hell’s canyon to Lewiston beach. That’s all gone now with the dams, and got so many atrocious sunburns its a wonder we survived . Good times.

[@pnwRC.]

WOWZERS! 5 days, that was a lengthy ordeal to yank this one out

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

The first two days were just scouting days, but yes, definitely took some time

[@chriskulpa4056]

So, you guys located it and floated it from the opposite bank then winched it all the way across the width of the river? Couldn't get permission to recover from the closer shore? I heard you say something about rail ties and such but wasn't really clear if it was an accessibility issue or permission from land owner issue.

[@jasonharper2601]

i believe adventures with purpose found this car and dove on it

[@davejay15]

Were you able to get the vin number. Should be on the frame too. I got a 50 caddy. Same basic frame and suspension. I can't remember though were the numbers are stamped on the frame. You may be able to nail down at least were the car was made. Then maybe see what dealership it got sent to. Not sure if they had titles back then. Cool find. Any bones or wallets found .

[@Bobtidbury]

Why did it have to by dragged out why not leave it where it was it must have been there for years anyway ?

[@wyattdice3560]

Because when the water is low it was very easy for boats to hit it with their prop

[@danielcourtright5659]

A few years ago I hooked a huge smallmouth bass by that car and it swam inside slammed the door and rolled up the window.

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Lol

[@jstbig1]

And giggled….

[@scottkrieger4701]

Since it's been thete for such a long time does the dnr get in volved due to the weeds on it and stuff so not to transport to different waters or close to new waters.

[@garyjennyfrost9485]

I cant see why they would. It's in a flowing river anyhow. all of that was already going downstream, wanted or not, towed or not.

[@reinaldoiturrino1853]

Nice job

[@barnsleytresurehunter]

Very interesting

[@mikeclarke6561]

hi did very good job iam glad your diver are safe on land

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Thanks Mike!

[@mikeclarke6561]

@@CountryEquipmentRentals yw

[@katherinebennett589]

Great job guys Question: What is the purpose of that bridge being out in this empty space? Not for auto or train..

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

There used to be a town there. That’s why there was that 50’s car in the river. Fell off the bridge while crossing it years ago

[@leannehernandez282]

I would think being so old it might fall apart before the car gets to shore.

[@randygunn9499]

Now that's worth rebuilding!.paint job and air up the tires throw sum gas in her and be on your way!!.lol

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

Lol 😂

[@dave_n8pu]

Were any of you able to figure out what year and possible make it was?

[@CountryEquipmentRentals]

We believe it was a 1953 Pontiac

[@walterkehn2459]

That’s the best float it