: During the 1980s and 1990s, "El Pulpo" expanded rapidly across the length of California, eventually becoming the dominant force in self-service auto salvage .
: They purchase cars, trucks, and vans regardless of condition—running or not .
: The nickname is so ubiquitous among Angeleno and Latino "regulars" that many refer to the LKQ facilities simply as "the junkyard" or "El Pulpo" rather than their corporate name .