Some of the cars were driven by folks trying to outrun the law. Some were just left by the side of the road.
All will get a chance at a new life next week when the Barton County Sheriff’s Office auctions off all the vehicles in its impound lot, Sheriff Brian Bellendir said.
The sale will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Barton County Road and Bridge Shop, 2401 Seventh  in Great Bend. Auctioneer and commission Chairman Kenny Schremmer will handle the bidding.
Persons can view the vehicles that day from 1 p.m. until the sale. Vehicles may be reclaimed by paying all fees and related expenses by Wednesday, Oct. 22, Bellendir said.
“From time to time, we have to clear out the impound lot,” Bellendir told the Barton County Commission Monday morning. “It’s overflowing.”
The sale bill includes about 20 impounded vehicles, as well as a few surplus county vehicles. There may be some other surplus county items on the block as well.
All the vehicles at the auction will have a clear title and bill of sale, or will have the necessary paperwork for the buyer to apply for the title.
As for the impounded cars, Bellendir said most were seized as a result of drug crimes or found abandoned by the side of the road. Some were driven to the lot and some were dead on arrival.
However, he said, many of the vehicles could be, with some work, road worthy again. But, some may be destined for the scrap heap.
The proceeds from the sale will go to different funds, the sheriff said. Money from the drug-related vehicles goes to the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, from the county vehicles to the General Fund and from the abandoned vehicles to the Road and Bridge Department.
Bellendir said his department has gone through all the seized and abandoned vehicles for anything illegal. “Sometimes you find some interesting things in these cars.”
It’s been five or six years since the last auction, Bellendir said.