[Editor's Note: This article originally ran in the January 2013 issue of Classic Motorsports.]
Bob Russell agrees that getting his stolen Healey back after 42 years was a dream come true, but he never expected the media explosion that followed. When the story really got cranked up, the calls got so bad he had to turn off his cell phone. …
Nice story! A follow up should be done.
This is always a concern when you buy an older car ,
The California dealer got a title when he bought it ,
How was he able to verify if it was stolen or not ?
the dealership should have checked that the vin plate was intact and had matching numbers to the title.
If he did he would have not taken possession of this car, unless he really didnt care and was just going to pass it off to someone else.
Bob needs to get a VIN plate riveted on and etch the Vin # in many obscure places under the chassis.
I found my old 56 MGA COUPE on barn finds about 3 years ago, when I explained to the flipper guy he got pissed. I then call the NC dmv & told them about the car. The guy ended up disassembled the car and sold the parts. Beware is the watchword.
stephencoe said:I found my old 56 MGA COUPE on barn finds about 3 years ago, when I explained to the flipper guy he got pissed. I then call the NC dmv & told them about the car. The guy ended up disassembled the car and sold the parts. Beware is the watchword.
You should have not showed your hand,
In reply to spitfirebill :
Good advice!
The dealer posted the VIN on ebay, they obviously knew the VIN plate was missing. They took a chance and it didn't play out in their favor.
They knew what they had.
What a great story though.
Remember when a freshly restored '65 VW Bus was discovered to have been stolen and the insurance company ended up getting it in 2009? (Google stolen restored vw bus)
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