Got a call about a car that was stolen from me years ago. 1975 model. Wasn’t insured apart from 3rd party. Police have informed me it was picked up in system when the current owner went to try and register it.
Unfortunately for him he has spent $$$$ on restoring it. Car is being held in by police until I pick it up. Need to know if the guy that did it up can lawyer up to try and get money or car/parts back from me?
Car is stolen and never reregistered in 18yrs? How's it been moving around all this time if not illegaly? Where's it been if it needed restoring but hasn't been driven? So many questions but not OPs problem as restorer should have checked before buying.
Lesson: do a ppsr search
Restorer probably knew it was stolen or illegally obtained. Reckon the database didn't got back that far to record old cars. Consider the cops took the car away, which indicates had strong evidence to support it and rather give the restorer a chance to prove ownership.
based on the OP's update above, it would be sufficient to assume that the thief and the owner are one and the same.
It is your car, its always been your car even as other people were driving it or enjoying fixing it up. It's just been hidden for a long time and kept off the radar, pick up your car and enjoy it.
Would love to see some photos of the car.
put it up on airbnb
I had a 280zx, a 260z is such an awesome car.
I'd love to have mine back for some nostalga.
Cruising with the targa top on a hot day. Bliss.
It is your car, its always been your car even as other people were driving it or enjoying fixing it up. It's just been hidden for a long time and kept off the radar, pick up your car and enjoy it.
Time to install kill switch and gps I reckon
Resist the temptation and don't post any photos. That may make it easier to target you again.
Hi Op
Is the 260Z a 2+2? Hoping it is not.
I remember washing the teachers 260Z when I was in Primary School. I think it was dark brown if I recall.
Why not 2+2? What does 2+2 mean ?
There are 2 versions of this car, the 2 seater and the 2+2 (4 seater).
The 2 seater is just a more desirable version as the 2+2 is a stretched coupe, so the roofline and rear side window are different and doesn't look as good.
I agree. That said I do think I recall ever seeing a 260Z 2+2 on the road before or maybe I did see it but didn't pay attention to it, but it is rare to see a 240Z/260Z on the road these days.
Ah those classic lines. Would you agree 20-30 years from now say a BRZ/AE86 has those classic lines and maybe these would have the same appeal. Not sure why I would think that far, I would be too old to care about such things then.
Say the OP was 25yo when pre-stolen, after 18 years he would be 43yo that is a such a different stage in life! (we would hope).
My understanding is that the two seater 260Z is also harder to find, especially in Australia. The 2+2 version was the more common one.
Datsun never really put out production data on them
Why won’t the OP say what sort of car it was…
You missed the datsun 260z post in comments
Oh haha. Can’t believe others were saying let the ‘restorer’ keep it. He should get 50k for it even if it’s average condition with the low kms.
Easy win for you OP. Doubt you would have kept it storage all these years, most people sold them. Cash in 💰
OP I just want to know how the police was able to attain the car. So the guy went to register the vehicle, State Rego were like no it's stolen..and then what? They contacted the police and went from there?
Imagine being this guy, hanging onto the car for 18 years or so, thinking if they wait long enough they'll be ok. And now they no longer have the car haha.
Yeah what a moron 😆
No, the car would have been required to pass motor registration inspection, which is normally carried out by police officers at various premises.
Guy drives car in for inspection, and fails at the first hurdle. Car is impounded there & then whilst police trace owner, etc.
This is what happened, not police but motor registration checked car told guy it was stolen then called police
Yes they can take back the parts which they can prove they own, if any.
Putting wheels or a replacement engine/turbo on a stolen chassis doesn't make those parts stolen property too.
If he has proof he bought a doorless, enginless, empty rolling chassis and sourced all the other parts then that might be all that is returned.
"Police said ‘owner’ is known to them but wouldn’t give any other details"
I somehow don't think so…..
Lol at all the cucks telling op to reimburse or let the thief/restorer/poor bloke keep the car.
It was only under the assumption (which looks like it was the wrong one now with more info from the OP) that the owner and thief were different people.
But yeah, even if they weren't the same person, the new owner didn't do a ppsr check so that's on them.
So is there a threshold whereby I can steal your property, hide it for X time and then it automatically becomes my property? Is that was people are suggesting here?
Yeap hehe . First page is full of em :)
It's called finders keepers? I am surprised you havent heard of it
It's a thorny legal issue alright. I'll need to refer to the case of Finders v. Keepers.
When will my shoes be finished?
Losers, weepers?
Oh the ol' garbage "possession is 9/10ths of the law" nonsense…
How would he know your details is the first question that should be asked
So what did you end up doing?
He picked it up, different colour, is going to respray it the original colour and drive on weekends fully comped
Fully sick bro!
Clowns saying to let them keep it. Must be the same people whinging about the millionaire super tax 🤣
*its, as it's already possessive
18 years, 18 years
And on its 48th birthday, he found out it wasn't his?
i love this comment, thankyou.
I'm. So. Confused.
So many up votes for - let the guy keep a stolen car.
Regardless of how he acquired it, it's stolen property. This is your car. He made a mistake a bought an untitled car, poor business decision.
Keep your car.
True, but then, I doubt anybody is on that camp after hearing the OP describe the individual as being "known to police".
Many, like myself just assumed is was some beat up old Chrysler Galant. As the OP released more details it became apparent that the car was of significance and that the other party involved likely stole the vehicle.
If the OP included these details in the original post then there would have been way less conflicting drama in this thread.
Don't really understand why the make/model should have come into it.
Because some make/model has value and most 18 year old car has no value
@Randolph Duke: You mean getting back what was stolen 18 years ago only matters if something of value was taken?
Well obviously it does.
I won't travel 2 days and a day off work to collect some scrap metal with no value.
We're a country of convicts. What did you expect?
Sweet car, Congrats on getting it back! Enjoy!
I don't think the guy who bought it should keep it but I DO think they should go after the person who sold it to them for the money they spent on it.
Wow. Congratulations OP.
Great thread, BTW. Reasonable advice, getting legal advice, and most importantly - an outcome.
Just wanted to get you to 200 votes.
Long thread, only got to page 3, maybe been said, what if restored by a member of the local Bikie gang?
Keep the car, he should have done a revs
Lesson is always keep the car and resell it
This thread is why i love Ozbargain! What a story!
Where did the guy who was restoring it get the car? His beef is with them, not the OP who's property was stolen all those years ago.
It might have to end up going to court but at the very least the OP should get back the car in whatever state it was before the reno's started, if that's not possible, he get's it as is.
This one was one of the better forum posts. Congracts on getting the car back.
I can't believe there are so many comments saying the registered owner should sell the car to the "restorer"… because it's unfair to the restorer after doing all that work?
Are people seriously this clueless these days?
THE LAWFUL OWNER deserves the car returned to him… regardless of condition. Restorer has an expensive lesson well learned. Don't spend time and money on a car NOT REGISTERED TO YOU! Something dodgy going on there. What's the bet he either knew it was stolen by the cash price he paid for it from a mate, or he's simply held onto it for the last 18 years in a shed, knowing one day it would be worth a mint.
Nup… too bad so sad, definitely return the car as is to the registered owner.
Guys can you help me create a new topic. I bought a car that was stolen and spend shitloads on it
Lol. That's gold mate.
the ppsr would show its stolen i do a ppsr on every classic car i buy, if he done a ppsr check it would have shown, if it did not show thats the authorities fault. do the right thing let the bloke keep it and ask for a carton of carlton draught as a barter.
Moral lesson: Do a $2 PPSR search before spending money on a vehicle. Lots of dodgy sellers so be very careful.
I'd say the rental charge you could invoice him for , would far out weigh any improvements/ value he added to the car.
Over 18 years there will be a lot of information to look at before making a decision.
Finders Keepers lol exactly what my scum bag neighbour said when courier company dropped $4000 worth of my machinery at his place by mistake, took 6 weeks to figure it out when i found him selling on Facebook Market Place. I confronted him " too bad buddy dropped on my property Finders keepers f off " really i said you've never heard of Stealing by finding? " sure thing buddy i dont think so but thanks for the stuff but your full of it everyone knows its finders keepers"
Oh really ever wonder why so many Police cars used to come to my house ? " i imagine your a stupid crook "
I just laughed actually i just retired after 37yrs with the Police, amongst many roles i was a police prosecutor, and you my friend are up shite creek without a paddle, local Police are aware have all the evidence, n totally agree Stealing by finding, id expect an early morning visit real soon from … doubt they'll be knocking though. N if you've sold it or moved it no dramas there ill be getting full restitution from court.
See you in court. His face went white
cool story wayne
I don't agree with him but.. you used you prior position to intimidate him? Isn't that against your policies and procedures?
Nope n i aint a cop anymore what policies and procedures, I'm not subject to anything, I used my knowledge. Intimidated? Don't think so.. Well I ain't got my gear back. He was a smartass thief who got slapped back to earth.
Where is the rest of the story?
Still awaiting trial
Any update?
There's no squatting law equivalent for car ownership huh? Not that you should give it away, but I just thought it really has being a long time and current owner who is likely innocent is about to get analed just as much as you did back in the day. OFC he should've checked its history before picking it up tho so it really is on him
Thanks for the update. Enjoy your ride.