Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

[John H.]

Just got off the phone with the Ft. Lauderdale Auto Theft Unit; they seized and impounded the car as evidence last Friday, and finally ID'd it today - it's a '65, not a '66, and it was stolen in 1980 in New Jersey. The frame VIN over the rear kickup had been ground off, and they didn't know about the second one forward of the kickup until I sent them a diagram showing where to look for it; they brought in a guy with a laser and cut a window under the sill plate through the sill and reinforcement, and the original '65 frame VIN was right there - the thief didn't bother to obliterate it or didn't know it was there. They ran the VIN through NICB, and it came up stolen 23 years ago. The seller has several problems on his hands now, including the cops backtracking the circumstances under which the car came into his possession




eBay Chevelle-Tagged (and stolen) Corvette

[Duke W.]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

John, you deserve to be inducted into the Dick Tracy crimestopper's hall of fame and have a permanent place in the crimstoppers textbook for having the foresight to contact the local authorites.

Now I wonder who is going to end up with the car. Assuming it was insured, does that mean the insurance company who paid off the claim gets it?

I don't think most DMV clerks or the AAA checks to see that a VIN is correct for the model of car. When you go to get a title in a new state all they do is verify that the numbers on the car match the old title, but not that the VIN is correct for the type of car. Makes it relatively easy to launder a title until someone with a sharp eye and sense of public duty notifies the authorities.

Good show!!!

Duke

[Len Rayca]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

Hi John: I want to commend you for your action in contacting the Ft. Lauderdale Police and as a result of your action it appears that some scoundrels will get what is coming to them. By the way, I had the pleasure of meeting you in Hershey. I was with my grandson and I introduced myself to you outside on the parking lot on Monday afternoon. It was my pleasure and I can now put a face to the name when I see your postings. Best wishes. Len Rayca #39247

[Brian McHale]

Congratulations John "McRuff" Hinckley.

You've taken a bite out of crime. Please keep us updated to who ends up with this car, the owner that it was stolen from or the insurance co.

[Gary Schisler]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

Way to follow through John. In this day and age of "not wanting to get involved" it is nice to know that honest folks are still out there. Now, I wait to see the end result.

That is one fellow who will detest us NCRS guys who really know their stuff.

Gary

[Patrick T.]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

Great work Sam, errr...John. I propose that the NCRS have a stolen Corvette "Cold Case" Squad and put you in charge!! Congrats, Patrick

[Tracy C.]

Hats off to Wayne, John & the whole team!!

What a gratifing episode to witness!!

John, You deserve a huge amount of credit for this, but I'm sure you will admit without Wayne Midkiff's intial tip off and the knowledgable input from many others, these skunks may very well have gotten away with this and some novice would have ended up a with the hoze'n of a lifetime.

Those in charge of publicity at local and national events need to capitalize on this chain of events as a published recuiting tool of some kind.

That said, it's time I join as a bonefide dues pay'in member!! I will be signing up tonight.

Congrats again to all!!
tc

[Mike M.]

Re: Hats off to Wayne, John & the whole team!!

Welcome to the best auto hoddy club in existence. mike

[James F.]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

Way to go John!!! Good job and follow through! Do I smell a future article in the "Corvette Enthusiast?" Regards,

[Craig S.]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

What a great story! You deserve a big pat on the back John!...outstanding!...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

Duke - here in AZ, when I bought my 67 from a person that lived here in Tucson but had the orignal Wisconsin title since that had moved to Tucson about 6 months prior (actually that alone was not kosher), the DMV does check the S/N closely for accuracy. Mine came up fine, no past issues, but they told me some folks had lost big time in this step. Apparently, they do a pretty thorough check on this when the title comes from another state. Actually, I commend them for the thorough check, makes one rest easier...Craig

[Tracy C.]

Re: Hats off to Wayne, John & the whole team!!

Thank you Mike for the welcome. God forbid I ever have my car ripped off, but I know that after a call to the police, my next move will be a post to this site.

Please forgive my mushy shameless suck-up, but you folks are the best group of people on the planet!

Most of my Corvette experiences prior to Jack Humphrey's intial invitation to see advice on this board were largely negative. The advice offered on this board comes from unknown faces, seeking no reward other that to expand the hobby. A remarkable place to be!

I look forward to many positive exchanges to come.
tc

[Duke W.]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

It probabaly varies from state to state. There's also an issue with instate title changes. I don't think the clerks at the CA DMV check to verify that the VIN has the correct identifying info for the car model. I you bring in a signed off title and the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the car, you get a new title.

Duke

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

Here in the great state of Alabama, there is no provision for titling cars built before about 1980. Though these folks here are pretty dumb in this regard (as well as some others), I believe there are other states which do not issue titles for older vehicles. Ya kin git a title fer yer bass boat, but forget one for your vintage Vette! A real disgrace.

[Bill W.]

Re: Update - eBay Chevelle-Tagged Corvette

The car will go to the LAST legal owner. if the insurance paid off its theirs, and will go to the ins. pool and be sold to the highest bidder. If it was not insured it will go to the last legal owner if he or she can be found. I wish somebody would find & recover my Harley that was stolen in 1974. I would hate to be some of the past owners that have had this car especially dealers Ill.is real hard on that stuff. .Bill..ps GOOD Job John.