Re: He did build it himself.

[James W.]

He also "built" a 1963 fuelie split window back in the late 70's or early 80's. The buyer had engine problems, took it to the machine shop to have it reworked and the casting numbers on the block fell off in the hot tank!

For the past several years he has tried to buy my dad's unrestored 1967 coupe that had 327/350, a/c, pb, telescopic steering wheel, original bolt-on wheels and side exhaust. I told my dad not to sell it to him at any price because I knew what was going to happen to it.

[Norris W.]

Re: He did build it himself.

Clonin' or modifying cars to meet somebody's personal taste is one thing, but building fakes and swearing they're authentic, even with forged documentation is a whole different issue, and I always hoped the guy would sell the red 67 L89 Convertible to the wrong person and I'd run across it and could help with the paper trail. It seems like the way he does things like this are going now, (just like the white 67 L88 that's on E Bay) is criminal fraud. It'd be nice to see a couple of these dirtballs get prosecuted and maybe it'd slow down some.

[Tony Merendino]

Re: He did build it himself.

The reason you see so many Bogus Big Blocks is because there are plenty of people out there who are willing to pay stupid money to have something rare or collectible even though they know little or nothing about what they are buying. Another reason is that there is very little recourse for a buyer who gets suckered. It is very difficult to prove fraud. You would have to first prove not only that the car in question is not what it is claimed to be but what it actually was. Then you would have to prove that the seller knew it and then changed it with the express idea of defrauding someone. Both very difficult items to PROVE.

Then you would have to find a DA who would understand this crazy hobby and be willing to prosecute. If prosecuted there is no reason to believe that any monetary recovery be had and you could only hope for satisfaction of seeing someone get a slap on the hand. First offense and all that garbage.

In all likelihood the best you could hope for would be recovery of your funds in a settlement without any admission of guilt and a promise to not reveal any details of the settlement.

Sad but true but the penalties are not enough to discourage someone from seeking the rewards. On the streets of the Bronx where I grew up we would have had penalties that would have discouraged this type of behavior. But then again we never had enough money to get in those types of situations.

[GL Anderson]

Re: He did build it himself.

I wonder if I could go after the guy with the fake L-88 on ebay right now as he has forged a buyers invoice from a company that I still own what is left of. If not I do have another idea that I may pursue. Just a thought. GL

[Norris W.]

Re: He did build it himself.

I think you definately could go after him. I'd think a visit with the local DA's office would be all it would take.

Also, I think Tony is mistaken. Using the case of the L88 on E Bay, it sounds like there's no doubt of the seller's knowledge, and with a fraud that potentially involves hundreds of thousands of dollars, I doubt seriously that a judge would give somebody simply a slap on the wrist after a guilty conviction. On top of that, if that car crosses state lines it's something the Feds would likely get involved in, and those guys can't take a joke at all.

In the case of the red L89 in Nebraska, the seller was offered MSO information and exposure to the original selling dealer who still had paperwork on the car. He became enraged and continued to advertise the car for sale in Hemmings for months afterward, and it may've even been a year or better. If I ever run across that car I'll have a serious chat with the current owner.

[Rick S.]

Re: He did build it himself.

You would be better off on a civil law suit rather than a criminal prosecution as the burden of proof is much less and doesn't require the 3rd party (D.A./Prosecutor).

[Norris W.]

Re: He did build it himself.

True BUT............ DA's/Prosecutors work for free (except for the taxpayers) and private attorneys would be expen$ive, especially given the fact that it's unlikely that anybody outside of a buyer would be succesful in collecting damages.

[Rick S.]

Re: He did build it himself.

Norris,
You are correct but most goverments are cutting back and one of the first cutbacks in a Prosecutors Office is the Consumer Protection Unit. Too bad because they did a lot of good work.