I don't know about it being a waste. Keep in mind that it was going to be scrapped 20 years ago. MAYBE some of the parts would've found their way to the used parts market. But back then there was a big push to get "polluters" off the road (although the "cash for clunkers" program didn't start until about 5 years later).
Heck, you could say he just preserved the parts from 2004 until now!
(and that would be a lot of fun!)
Bob
Sorry, no '80 - '86 Ford trucks
"Oswald": 1997 F-250HD crew cab short box, 460, E4OD, 4.10 gears
"Pluto": 1971 Bronco, 302, NV3550 5 speed, Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case, 33" tires
"the motorhome": 2015 E-450-based 28' class C motorhome, 6.8L V-10
"the Dodge": 2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7L Cummins