Ok so here is the deal a step dad lost his 1948 Cheverolet Stylemaster in a nasty crash, somebody ran a stop light and whack-o, any ways he let it go the the insurance company, because he was devistated, but now he is wanting to get her back, this was his pride and joy and he has 25 years of parts just laying around. Dont ask me what he is willing to pay cuz I dont know, I just told him to post a thread here and maybe some of you may be of some help I HOPE.. The car was taged and registerd in Las Vegas.. and that is where she met her fate! I need your Help in a bad way. I've attatched some pics from before that crash. hope this will jog some memories. Details....... 1948 chev stylemaster Garnett Red w/ Silver and Blue graphics Newer 330 horse crate motor Auto Trans (400 I beleive) If any of you have seen her or know where she might be please contact me and I will get all you info to my step dad!!! Thanks a Million Matt.
Ok before any of you want to become assholes instead of heros... this guy is asking for help.. Bite your tongues and try and be nice. I hope someone can help you. Dave
It sounds like he sold the car to the insurance company in a settlement? If that's the case, I'm afraid the train has left the station. I don't think the settlement can be undone at this point. As far as buying it back from the insurance company, he might try calling them and asking. Most of that stuff goes to a salvage auction and junk dealers bid on it. Typically, you have to be a licensed dealer to bid on salvage. Hope that helps. Stu
How long ago did this happen? I ask because, if the insurance paid a total loss claim and took the car, it went to a salvage auction company. It will not stay there long, as most auction wrecks weekly or monthly. Most of these companies require a dealers and, or a re builders license to bid. If that is the case, in your situation, I would contact the insurance company, in question, and ask about the disposition of the car. They should be able to tell you if the wreck had been sold, and if not, where it is located. If not sold, contact the auction company to find about their bidder policy. If you need a dealers license to bid, get someone you know, that holds a license, to go with you to do the bidding. Then you would have to purchase the wreck from the license holder to get the paperwork right. That paperwork will come with a salvage title, and that is can of worms I won't get into here...just use your imagination in figuring that out...know what I mean! If the car has been sold, about all you can do, is try to get the auction or insurance company to provide the name and particulars on the buyer. Then go to them and try to make a deal. Hope this helps, and good luck getting that rod back in the right hands for a re build.
Ok, a couple of basics. Normally after the accident he would have been asked the location where he wished it to be towed (possibility #1)...or, if that's not possible for some reason, the police specify the location (#2); or, (around here) the towing services are used on a rotating basis, and the tow truck takes it to THEIR storage. (#3) After the insurance company assesses the damage, and any investigations are completed...assuming it's a total loss, either the insurance company specifies where the vehicle ends up; or, in the case of #3, sometimes the towing service is given discretion as to the disposal. So, the first thing I would ask is the date of the accident. That will help narrow down some things. Second, where was the car taken immediately after the accident? The bottom line, I think, is that your friend is going to have to do some investigating. I assume that this has already taken place with no results. But, if the collision took place within the last couple of years, I would think that it should be possible to find someone with a memory of the final resting place of the car. It's quite possible that the car ended up in a salvage yard and one of the employees took it for parts, or their own use. Your friend also needs to be aware that the title for the car (or the state record) likely now lists it as salvage or destroyed, in which case it probably will not be able to be re-titled. Some further details on what has been done so far to find the car may help, too.
Ok my bad I guess i wasnt completely clear on this, i appoligize, The insurance did pay out on the claim and like u say it probally went to auction. this is a known thing which auction and when is not however!! A PI was hired to track it down and he found a dead end and quite frankly I think the PI could give a rats about an old car.... This is what im asking for help on.. Have u seen it in a salvage yard, or a body shops back yard waiting to be fixed, or maybe your back yard LOL, Im not real sure on how badly it was damaged maybe a rinkeled fender or a total loss I dont know because unfortuatlly my buddy is having a hard time uploading the pics, and can get the AFTER pics to me.. I hope this helps clear things up. Thanks for all your help thus far!!!!!! Matt
Here is a little more info. Wrecked Nov 1,2005 at North 5th and Alexander North Las Vegas, NV was picked up by snaps towing and sold to Sundance Auto, but they swear they never had it........ All of Las Vegas I beleive.
Your buddy needs to move on with his life and get over it. If he loves the body style, maybe buying another car is the solution. Stu
Did you trace the vin number ? If nothing comes up I would say it was stripped and put in the crusher . It's been 4 years so why not just get another one ? He could have finished one by now . One thing your buddy has to remember , It's only a car !
I agree with Stu D Baker. Three years after the fact, if it is found, I will likely not look like it did when he had it. Depending on damage it was either raped of good parts and crushed or......it was acquired by someone who did the repairs and tailored it to suit him. Now it's mother would not recognize it. Long gone. Move on. Sorry, but that's life.
So... #1) They truly don't remember and don't keep records...dead end. #2) They are not admitting it, because someone there stripped it, or rebuilt & retitled it somehow...dead end. #3) They don't give a damn about it one way or the other...dead end. I suspect that even if it survived untouched somewhere, your friend would be disheartened at the sight of it now. I wish I could suggest something else, other than searching local scrap yards/salvage yards, on the off-chance, but I'm fresh out of ideas. I think the other guys might have the best approach...find another car of the same model & work with it.
No way has it sat in a salvage yard for 3 1/2 years and not get either sold in full or all the good usuable parts gone.
Just wanted to let you all know that the car was found, it was bought by a body man there in LasVegas NV and now sports a flat blk paint job and a set of coys wheels. And the guy is willing to sell it back.... Thanks for all your help in locating this beloved part of my step dads life.
It just shows you that old cars/hotrods are too valuable to just crush if they are in any way repairable. Amazing thread.
Good thread; Like to see those wreck pics. and then how it looks now. I'm glad you still have the chance to buy it back. I too thought it was a loss cause after 3 years. This just gives us all hope in sticking to something and not giving up when you truely believe in something. GREAT JOB
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