That is damn good work! I wish I was closer, I would work for lodge and food, or even a Chevy AD or jailbar truck. ☺
The 1970 Lincoln Mark III cleaned up real nice. I spent about 4 hours washing, vacuuming, flushing fuel system and throwing a new master cylinder in. It now runs and drives great. The AC even works. 40,000 miles. Amazing for something that sat buried under boxes of junk for 25 years or so.
Yep. That would be evidence of where they kicked the door in on the largest building that the cars were in. Messed the place up real bad. Cleaned out all of the tools, tow chains, rigging straps, multiple floor jacks and bottle jacks, 2 ESAB welders, a couple of bench vises, skill saw, batteries out of several of the cars, radiators, and on and on. Hell they even took the time and effort to take all of the lights and wiring down from the rafters and haul off 2 BBQ's and the refrigerator. Just when we were making good progress and had finally gotten all the cars uncovered and ID'd. Makes me want to puke.
I'd call someone well above the sheriff's office. Try the state police or your district representative's office. Enough is enough. They are going damn near to federal level grand theft. This isn't fuckin vandalism or smash n grab tweekers from what I've seen/read. Good luck and get those fuckers. Cameras will help, those little bastards that one can hide in corners and such. Small investment for your security.
I would also make certain the local newspaper got wind of the sheriff's office's handling of this, it sounds like they need to elect a new sheriff!
^^^^What Pat said. I've known of more than a few shady characters in the 'clean up' trade. Pricks were probably taking inventory all along. Besides that, nice stash. Good luck with it.
The paint books could be worth up to $100 each depending on how bad a paint store or body shop wants them. I sold 3 from the 50's-60's & 70's to a paint store that didn't open until the 80's for $250. I gave him a $50 break on the price since he was buying all three. He was tickled to death to get them and my buddy's widow was tickled to death to get the money for "some old color chips"?
Opportunity missed I guess. I hung on to them for a long time but having no idea what they were worth and tired of tripping over them I finally gave them to a friend who paints cars. He was thrilled to get them and told me recently that he has already used them multiple times.
I've looked through this thread now and read every post. I can't see any pictures for some reason but I'm wondering something. You said you joined a local car club. Did your things start missing after they found out about the stash? It seems like it to me. I'd be checking out who they all were and who they may have told. I'd also be checking with the State Police on the matter of the stolen items if you are not getting any help with the local Sheriff's Office. Lastly- would it be possible to list your e-bay name so the guys on here can at least look for what you are selling on there since you don't seem to be selling the stuff on here. Just asking. Thanks.
Yeah I am busy deleting pictures in the off chance the two thefts are somehow connected to someone seeing landmarks on here. I had thought maybe being car guys people on here might enjoy following along on this unplanned adventure as we dug out cars one by one. It took from sept 2013 until August 2015 for us to even be able to tell what all was there. But there really hasn't been that much interest and I need to protect the estate. My wife lost her sister, her brother and her dad to cancer in the last 18 months. This is all she has left from her family now and the thefts really bother her. Just flat pisses me off but it's different for her. eBay name is timjc. My son actually listed the Buick since I was out of town dealing with the theft. I don't remember his eBay name but the rest of the listings should be under "timjc" when I do them. There was a member on here potentially interested in the '58 Buick. I pm'd him and if he decides to pass it will be the next one I will put up for sale. And probably the '68 caddy too. The titles for both of those have cleared the estate process now. Oh and the blue '70 Lincoln Mark III that I posted the pic of last week. That one can be sold now too.
Thanks! It has been an eventful ride. Mark was real happy to get those books and as long as they get put to good use I am fine with it.
I'll guarantee it's no one from here. Somebody in your area is killin' ya'. Neighbors, acquaintances, etc. Watch you drive in, watch you leave. It's the dirt bag way to screw your neighbor. The easiest peach to pick is the one dangling in front of you ... and the next one closest to it. For a return trip like that .... their confidence to not get caught is awful high. You have to wonder why that is. I'd game camera the whole area. Inexpensive, easy to use, resell 'em when done. Cabela's, Academy, Walmart, etc. Memory card, camo' paint, velcro tree strap, night sensitive, battery changeable. It sucks man. I'd have to bust out my best Charles Bronson interpretation here ... to catch 'em. I'm sorry this is happening to ya'.
If you were closer I'd be willing to camp out and shoot the sons a bitches, for one of those fine cherry automobiles you have there...
Yep...same goes for me but I'm in Scotland UK so too far away. By the way any 36 ford coupes or parts there?
I'm sorry to hear of your losses, as well. There's nothing lower than a thief in my opinion. I'm not familiar with your area at all, so I may be way off base when making the following statement, but don't be too harsh on your local sheriff's office just yet. Many of those offices are not equipped to handle large criminal investigations. Many do not have the experience or manpower to carry them out. I wudn't call them, I'd go see the Sheriff in person. Make an appointment if you have to do so. At the very least, speak to the highest ranking person you can. That's dependent upon the size of the department. Think Barney and Andy from Mayberry. If it's that small, you want to speak with Andy and not Barney. By going there, you can see for yourself what the department's makeup looks like in addition to making a formal complaint to a high ranking official and not just an officer. Those smaller departments have arrangements with other, bigger departments that can handle those investigations and they wud be the ones to contact the larger departments. Law enforcement authorities don't like to step on each other's toes, but will intervene when asked for help by the smaller department. I wudn't wait to contact the Sheriff as the longer time passes, the more difficult it is to conduct the investigation and catch the perpetrators. Best of luck to you.
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