Stolen car found and returned to owner after 45 years.

My dad sold one of his work trucks years ago. About a year after selling it he noticed the cops were in the neighborhood most of the day. He went up to one of their cars and introduced himself and asked them what was up. The guy he sold the truck to never took it out of my dad's name and it was involved in a robbery. The cops were there to stake out dad's house and wait for him to drive the get away vehicle home. Luckily he knew some cops and they got the whole thing straightened out.

 

Good points, here. I will tell you that the original owner is very happy to have his car back. I don't think he has any intension of selling or letting the car get away again. Its been the talk in CarGuy circles around here for awhile now. We love the story, and dig how good **** happens sometimes....for the original owner, anyways.

 

I'm sure he is pissed on many different levels, but johnny99 needs to tell his side of the story.

 

I can't speak for 99 but I believe it was he who asked Ryan to shut the old thread down.
I don't see how 99 is obligated to tell any "side of the story". The story ended........................

 

well....been on both sides - having my 2+2 stolen twice....and the 37 Ford I bought off some wrecker guys was being stored at the owners rental property in the garage - that the renters wanted to use - so they called a wrecker to tow it off. I bought it off the tow drivers not knowing much and returned it to the owner as it played out....I was out a late model and some money but glad the owner got it back....

always wonder if he did anything with it....?

 

If true, that's pretty foolish.

 

When I heard of the newspaper article this morning I was ***ured my little nightmare was to be rekindled. Looks like I was not to be disappointed. So let's end the speculation now.

* I purchased and transferred ***le shortly after purchase.

* I was hoping to be a good care taker of this car, preserve it
for all to enjoy.

* I was my own ******in, If you read my original thread I was doing
quite a bit of detective work to find the builders of this car,
a lot of folks on this board helped with info. I appreciated it then and
appreciate it now. They helped get it back to a fellow who had more
vested interest in it than myself.

* I am by no means a pushover, I contacted a lawyer that specializes in
personal property issues immediately after the police contacted me. He
explained to me where I stood and what my options were, none were
good if the police decided to take the car. The fun was gone.

* NOBODYS paperwork on the car was quite right. Because of this and
"historical do***entation" [photos] that the former owner had the
police informed me they would be taking the car.

* I am a very fortunate man. The older gentlemen I purchased the car
from paid me back immediately. We have since struck up a friendship.
I was very pleased when he got his money back too!

* Contrary to what the newspaper article says no one from the paper
has attempted to contact me.

Here's some people I would like to thank for sticking with me through
this mess.


* Ryan for kind words when he deleted my original thread.

* My friends on here for sticking up for me.

* Mark for being a straight up guy = good KARMA

* My Nephew Jeff, he's more like my brother. He's the
reason the car was returned shiny!

* Law Enforcement, these guys treated me very kindly and with great
professionalism. Lets hope they catch the original thieves!

* And most of all the lovely MRS. 99 Jill. She saw how excited I was
when I came home from seeing the car for the first time and told me
to do "whatever it takes to get it."

If this does not satisfy you, sorry.


I'm out, John

 

Thanks for clearing the air with your side of the story johnny99. Sorry for calling you out. I wondered what had happened with the thread being shut down. I knew it was not going to be good when I saw the paper. Felt bad for you, glad it worked out. I'm sure the original thieves will get caught.

 

Pontman, Johnny didn't have to explain **** to you or anybody else here. I new when I saw the article this morning his dream turned nightmare was coming back to him and immediately felt sorry for him. I know what its like , been there done that on a simalar deal. I didn't touch the car for more than 10 years after getting it resolved it left such a bad taste in me on people in the hobby. I am sure it was tough for him to come forward and post his story and clear the air. He is an upstanding guy and happy it worked out for all those unknowingly involved.

 

Technicalities are very important to me. I have been looking for a C1 Corvette for a while now and found one just like what I wanted.

The pic's show that the VIN plate on the door jamb had been removed for painting and replaced with screws. Nice touch.

This car now has an altered VIN and is of no interest to me, but the state police will be interested when the new buyer goes to ***le it as the form contains the words,
Has the VIN been altered, removed, replaced or defaced?

The frame VIN can be read by removing the body or cutting holes in the floor and then it may not be legible, but the body origin would still be in dispute..

I understand that in Calf., the car is subject to crushing by the DMV. Can anyone from Calf. verify this?

 

Here in Washington State it's called sales tax....about 8-9% of the value. If I buy something to turn I never change the ***le. If I plan on keeping the car for a while, then I'll pay the tax.

 

A bitter sweet end to the story. Glad the original owner got the car back but sorry for the several victims in this setup.

Seeing only the few photos, seems $7500 was a bargain for that car.

 

that is also illegal....not that I care.

I find it better it just sign a statement of facts concerning the value....boom....virtually no sales tax.

 

the guy who only paid $7500 for it, stole it too

 

If paying someone a price they agree to is "stealing it",.....

 

No, it's called receiving stolen property in my state. Which is why we should all be EXTRA careful about papers for our cars.

 

Roger, Do a little research on the proper attachment of the vin tag on the door post of C-1 Corvettes. On my '58 the tag is attached with screws also. When I questioned some of the restores I know, they said that is the correct way it is attached. I am no expert on this, but if you are concerned, it is probably worth researching further to verify.

 

Screws attaching the VIN plate are correct for an early Corvette.

 

And mid 50's Ford pickups.

 

small screws are used on post war chevys I have had.