http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8185&highlight=hemi The above is a link to pics of my roadster p/u. It is a 27'bodied, custom framed, hemi powered "T" that has come up missing. It was at a local shop while I was out of the state, and is now gone. Along with my 52 Chevy sedan deliv. as well,. The shop "Aces and Eights" has closed up, and recently made the local news, as customers were trying to get their cars and parts back. I am back in San Antonio, and have called and left many messages for my cars, but have not recieved a reply to any messages left. I was told that my cars were more than likely sold, as the owner of the shop was trying to make up some money to pay depts, and was selling of some cars and parts.. I am turning to you guys here on the hamb as I have seen how you come together when things like this happen. I have not posted here in a while, and but am always logging on to see what is happening. I just feel a real sense of helplessness right now, and hope you guys will keep an eye open for the cars. The frame on the "T" is like no other that I have ever seen, so it should be easy to spot if somebody has it. Check out the photos to see what I mean. It is very different. The motor is not your typical small block either. I know I am rambling a bit here, but I am pretty pissed off right now, as I have put many hours, many very late nights, and money into this car to let somebody just sell it off while I am out of town. Any help you guys can provide will help a lot. You can email me if you have any info. Thanks, and keep an eye on your rides. There are a lot of assholes out there.. Rik
That is F'd up man...I don't mean to kick you while you are down but it is so easy to part that thing out that it is going to be rough to find it in one piece...You need to get in touch with the cops and tell them that he stole the car(s). if you have his full name and such you can search out public records on him and go from there. A long time ago I worked for a bike builder. his shop seemed to be booming and there was tons of work there....one day we showed up and the doors were locked and there was a sign saying out of business....poof it was all gone....it took a long time for SOME of the customers to get their bikes or what was left of them back....this was before the internet.... Do you know the last time your car was together and at his shop? if it has been a while those parts may have been stripped a long time ago and are long gone... Sorry man....If he ends up in So-Cal let me know I have some unsavory friends that will collect asshole tax on him... Shifty-
May somebody ought to put a stickey on this one. That's way screwed up man. Probably not much I can do but I'll keep an eye out.
BTT Oh boy here we go. This one will get ugly. These folks had a "break in" a while back too. I have an interest in this one as well others will too.
OMG What the hell is this world comming to? Man Im sorry!....and from reading the link to the post you put up...i know you must be bummed big time. BTTT for you... I hope this bastard is found and given the chair.!
What I dont understand...... This was in the know(Problems with that place) for way over a year. Surely everyone that had shit down there had some clue before hand and had been warned to get their stuff out!!!!
Have to agree with some of the other posts, call the cops and call a lawyer and do it soon. See what free advice they give you. If the car turns up in tact in several months or years you may have a tough time proving its yours being that it's such a custom and that due to its age probably lacks a vin. If that happens it maybe your word against theirs over ownership. If you have a police report filed it may help, at least you have something on record. I will be at the Goodguys in Des Moines this weekend and will keep an eye out on the off chance that it has made it up here. Good Luck
Evil I wholeheartedly agree with where you are coming from. Some did know, but unfortunatly some did not until it was too late. This is a bad deal for everyone. Car owner, any customer looking to get work done anywhere and shop owners get a black eye. BTT
There were some problems with this shop, as with most every shop. The fact that I was out of the state, and had thought that a ceartain report was established is why the selling of my items is really hard to take. I have the title for the 52' sedan deliv. and that has been reported stolen. Whoever is in possesion of it at this time will just have to turn it over. The "T" is (as some have mentioned) going to be the hard one. The frame is really, really different, and will stand out like a sore thumb if somebody is using it. The motor, while not an everyday item, is going to be harder to find, but I do have block numbers on it. The other parts were pretty much "hand-made", and I know will just be parted out. My dad is retired PD., and has already started talking to friends in the area that would deal with hot rods, but I can't help but feel raped with this whole deal. A lot was given in building this car. I joked about it having my DNA, due to all the bloody knuckles it gave me. I really appreciate the "eyes out" from all of you, and I know it might just be a lost cause, but I have to try everything. Thanks again to all here, and just pick your bros right... Rik
Btt...from now on I will always be very weary of where I leave my stuff. I couldn't even emagine how you must feel man...Hope you find your stuff.
So let's go with the theory that the T could be parted out for a minute. If the guy's going to take the parts to a swap meet, put them in Deals on Wheels, Want-Advertiser, or put them on e-gay, etc., it would be helpful if you could give us a complete list of the parts that we want to look out for. That way if we're walking the aisles at Turlock or Pate or Carlisle and see one guy with your type of shifter, steering wheel and front axle we can put two and two together and ask some probing questions (after we tell the guy we have a friend looking for that type of steering wheel and he gives us his contact information ) So can you give us a list of the salable components? Dennis
The parts that would be identifiable would be, of course, the frame. It is a hand-made, Z-ed up (12" in the rear, with a very custom leaf mount) I am using (was using) a wide five rear (rebuilt to new) with new brakes, gears,leafs, etc.. It has custom traction bars welded to the housing, so it is part of the frame. The front end has a 10" perch for the model "A" front end to mount to. I was also running the later model "wide five" brakes up front as well. The motor is a 56" DeSoto 330 Hemi with 56,000 orig. miles on it, and was still stock last time I had it. The cab was a 1927 roadster p/u. Rusty, but not gone. I had cut out a 29' dash to mount it in the "T", and had sourced some vintage (not repops) Stewart Warner gauges for it. The steering was off of a 57 Ford F1, and was also rebuilt. The seat was actually a rear seat out of a 66' Mustang, and was in perfect condition. It fit really nice also (Damn it!) Man, I hate having to go through this shit!.. The transmission was from the same 56' DeSoto, and I was using the push-buttons to shift it. Radiator shell was a chopped 29' model "A". Radiator was a rebuilt from a late model mustang. Tires were new 16" white walls from Coker. I guess that is it... The 52 Chevy Sedan Deliv. had a 327 with corvette valve covers, and a new Edel. carb. I had just bought two leather buckets for it, and a camaro front clip complete with new brakes, spindles, etc.. This one is pretty stock otherwise. I have reported it stolen, and I am pretty sure it will turn up localy. Not sure why, just a gut feeling though. Any help is more than appreciated. Thanks in advance, and don't get into any trouble if you see something. I have a baseball bat that will take care of issues with others myself. Thanks again, Rik
BTTT! This is the shits! My truck was stolen, but a bud found it in a "friends" back yard. One ass-whippin' later the truck was home. Hope all goes well in the hunt.( Wack them once for me!!!) AL
Oh, and some more details on the 52'. It is lowered, and was rolling on some cragar five spokes. The tail door was pinstriped, and signed. And it has a very tall (36" or so) shifter that stands out. That might help distiguish it from some others. Thanks again, Rik
This kinda stuff sucks. The bad thing about calling the cops, is there is not much they can do. Since it was taken to this shop, and it was agreed they would do the work, it now becomes a civil issue. It sucks, and I have to tell people stuff like that all the time. The most the cops could do is maybe get the guy for theft by deception, but that is a long shot. Good luck in the search. JP
Damn Rik, that's really fucked up!! I know of a few other guys that were screwed over, but luckily got their cars back. Had I known you were out of state, I would have picked it up for ya. Good Luck....I'll keep my eyes open for ya.
Thanks Reggie. I know of a few cars that were also sold, and the people are also pretty pissed right now as well. And as far as the police, and what they can and will do. Well, To sell the cars, legal steps have to be taken. A ten day letter has to be sent to the owners (certified with date), then the new person can take claim to the cars if no action is taken. The person in question here was a friend. Somebody that I bent over backwards to help out when he was in need. I gave him computer equiptment when his broke. I spent hours at the shop just helping and cleaning, so that he could turn a buck. I had to go to PA. to finalize both a relationship and my book. I came back and the cars have been sold, and the person in question will not return calls. Can't find him. The media can't find him. Customers can't find him. He split. My cars, and other stuff that I have not mentioned ( a 50' Ford Flat head to name just one other thing) turns up gone. As much money, time, etc.. that I (or anybody) can put into a car is still just material. I trusted somebody, gave all that I could, and this is the result. That is what hurts more than anything. Thanks for keeping an eye and or ear open. Rik
That totaly blows!!!!! The same shit happened to a friend of mine a couple years back with a local machine shop owner offing with his 351.He was persistant and hunted the prick down.After threatning life,limb and dismemberment the asshole gave back the motor.Keep your head up,and good luck.Hopefully your rides will turn up,and in one piece. p.s.if it was my car and i ever found him, I'D BASEBALL BAT HIS FUCKING HEAD!!!!
Shit that sucks man, I like the fact that him stealing your stuff is a civil matter but you breaking his head would be a criminal one..... I would have thaught if you sell some thingthat is not your property (no matter where its stored) that theft but what do I know. Personally I would post all the details of the dude, that way people actually know who you are talking about if he shows up.
btt.. I know that swap meets, car shows, etc.. will be happening, and I just wanted to keep some images fresh to look for. I am not trying to be a pain here, but just hoping some will keep an eye out. Thanks ahead of time. Rik
The Jalopy Journal
