How did the storey end. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Stolen Vet
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
stolen vet
I have purchased a vet unknowingly that had been stolen about 20 yrs ago. I became suspicious, and reported this to the authorities. Sure enough it was stolen. The #s did not match. The car has been seized and I am out a lot of $. The problem is that the org owner can not be found. Looking for suggestions and advice. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,009
Likes: 11
From: Philadelphia, sub burbs Wynnewood, PA
Originally Posted by Smoke 1
I have purchased a vet unknowingly that had been stolen about 20 yrs ago. I became suspicious, and reported this to the authorities. Sure enough it was stolen. The #s did not match. The car has been seized and I am out a lot of $. The problem is that the org owner can not be found. Looking for suggestions and advice. Thanks
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
There was a guy in Allen, TX that bought a Vette from one of those Vette of (Insert city) and during the body off it he was forced to give it to the original owner. Story goes like this. Man drops vette off for repair and forgets about it. Shop goes under. Landlord seizes vette and fills lein. Lein is won and vette is sold. New buyer is a forum member. Owner of original title comes out of coma and remembers he dropped his vette off years ago. Chances are he never had the money to pay the mechanics bill. Finds vette and sues to get it back. Forum member spends a bunch of cash on lawyers and looses vette. True Story.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: lakewood (tacoma/seattle) washington
I learned the hard way 2 times ,did not lose any money parted them out ,1980 bill of sale no title had a bank lien and they did not want car back. 1978 had title but I did not check the car vin. Did not match. checked the dmv and the vin on the car was a total and the vin on the title was not stolen. found out when I removed the crusty carpet,the car was cut in half the title was for the back and frame.It was glued with bubble gum real death trap. NOW FIRST QUESTION DO YOU HAVE A CLEAR TITLE IN YOUR NAME. If not no deal period!!!!!!!! sorry you had to learn like me ...best of luck'
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
What tipped you to the car being stolen? The car was stolen 20 years ago and the report is still on file and the car is still in NCIC?
Did they give you the original owners name? The insurance company might have paid the claim on the car and then it would be theirs if found. On most stolen vehicle reports of this day and age the insurance company is also listed on the reports if there is one. Not sure about 20 years ago.
I would hire a lawyer and check on the insurance company angle. If you find out the insurance company they might just give you the car if you explain to them what happened and that you turned the car over in good faith even though you are out of x amount of dollars.
If you purchased any items and put them into the car those items would be yours even if the car was stolen and the police department can release those items back to you if you contact the auto theft detective in charge and can make your case.
Engines, tires, trans, seats, door panels, etc etc. I would claim I have restored a lot of the car and produce reciepts and at least get those items back if all else fails.
Did they give you the original owners name? The insurance company might have paid the claim on the car and then it would be theirs if found. On most stolen vehicle reports of this day and age the insurance company is also listed on the reports if there is one. Not sure about 20 years ago.
I would hire a lawyer and check on the insurance company angle. If you find out the insurance company they might just give you the car if you explain to them what happened and that you turned the car over in good faith even though you are out of x amount of dollars.
If you purchased any items and put them into the car those items would be yours even if the car was stolen and the police department can release those items back to you if you contact the auto theft detective in charge and can make your case.
Engines, tires, trans, seats, door panels, etc etc. I would claim I have restored a lot of the car and produce reciepts and at least get those items back if all else fails.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Originally Posted by kevinator80
How/why do you buy a car without a title? Or did I miss something here?
They do, however, check the VIN number when registering for the first time ... check for stolen.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 2
From: New Zealand
What raised your suspicions about the Vette being stolen ? I saw your earlier thread about decoding engine numbers.....a non matching numbers car doesn't mean it's stolen........
If the original owner had insurance, then he would have been paid out long ago, so I guess his insurance company would be the owner.....
Anyway, shouldn't there be a statute of limitations on this sort of thing ??????.....can the original thief be prosecuted for stealing the car ???? If not, how can they take it away from an unknowing new owner ????
If the original owner had insurance, then he would have been paid out long ago, so I guess his insurance company would be the owner.....
Anyway, shouldn't there be a statute of limitations on this sort of thing ??????.....can the original thief be prosecuted for stealing the car ???? If not, how can they take it away from an unknowing new owner ????
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
stolen car
I have been in law enforcement for thirty years and retired. I thought I had checked the vin. and every # that a civilian could check. I even went back to a previous owner who has had this car for 20 + years. (they purchased sometime after it was stolen) Every thing appeared to be ok. I was sold this car as an original # matching. After a lot of cleaning I found the Serial # on the engine block, recontructed this # , found the Conf. Vin. The rest is history. What is interesting is that this car is not in NCIC, The police believe that this car "had a claim of some kind back in 1981 by State Farm Ins. State farm says that all of thier records are purged........Thanks for your interest and suggestions. I can't be the only one who has experienced this. I am sure that most vet owners who have had thier cars stolen would like to get them back. I do not want to drive a stolen vet under any circumstances. Thanks.................................. ........................................ ........................................ ........................................ ..................
Originally Posted by LittleJake
What tipped you to the car being stolen? The car was stolen 20 years ago and the report is still on file and the car is still in NCIC?
Did they give you the original owners name? The insurance company might have paid the claim on the car and then it would be theirs if found. On most stolen vehicle reports of this day and age the insurance company is also listed on the reports if there is one. Not sure about 20 years ago.
I would hire a lawyer and check on the insurance company angle. If you find out the insurance company they might just give you the car if you explain to them what happened and that you turned the car over in good faith even though you are out of x amount of dollars.
If you purchased any items and put them into the car those items would be yours even if the car was stolen and the police department can release those items back to you if you contact the auto theft detective in charge and can make your case.
Engines, tires, trans, seats, door panels, etc etc. I would claim I have restored a lot of the car and produce reciepts and at least get those items back if all else fails.
Did they give you the original owners name? The insurance company might have paid the claim on the car and then it would be theirs if found. On most stolen vehicle reports of this day and age the insurance company is also listed on the reports if there is one. Not sure about 20 years ago.
I would hire a lawyer and check on the insurance company angle. If you find out the insurance company they might just give you the car if you explain to them what happened and that you turned the car over in good faith even though you are out of x amount of dollars.
If you purchased any items and put them into the car those items would be yours even if the car was stolen and the police department can release those items back to you if you contact the auto theft detective in charge and can make your case.
Engines, tires, trans, seats, door panels, etc etc. I would claim I have restored a lot of the car and produce reciepts and at least get those items back if all else fails.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by Smoke 1
What is interesting is that this car is not in NCIC, The police believe that this car "had a claim of some kind back in 1981 by State Farm Ins. State farm says that all of thier records are purged........
So who get's the car back? Original owner unknown. Insurance Co. records purged...
Sumthin's missing in this picture.
Regardless, you have a valid claim against the person who sold you the car.