For that matter, how do you really know that it's been stolen? Pay a clerk in Brussels $100,000 to file the right paperwork and now you can claim a $3 Million car that's been in the U.S. for so long that it's difficult to track down the Euro paperwork that might prove otherwise. Sometimes a thief takes your car...othertimes the thief has the government do it for her. Japan has very specific laws that stop that sort of theft-by-forged-government-paperwork, by the way. It might be relevant here one day, too.
Sort of what I was thinking. I expect someone to show some sort of proof that the car was legally transferred.
Symbolic never owned this car. We considered its purchase but passed do to a number of factors. I will say no more. Regards, Bill Noon
Thanks for the clarification. Looking at the vehicle I would imagine that it would always have been worth alot more than $550K, even back in 2001. Mike
I feel sorry for the present "owner" He seems to have known nothing about its prior life , bought it on the up and up, and may now lose it, Can a vintage car dealer please tell us what we can do to check out if paperwork is legit , with all the Alabama "titles" around you can never be sure, Thanks Dave
I think this forum in addition to other internet resources can help minimize this kind of risk. I suspect that data access was different and limited when the party in question acquired the car. A free flow of communication between present buyers and past owners along with enthusiastic coverage from enthusiasts make for a safe and more enjoyable environment.
I know the present owner and the car and have even driven it. He's a good guy and would never be involved in anything even remotely shady. Believe me he doesn't need to. I'm sure more will come out on this. Tom
Well this site is undeniably a great resource with very knowledgeable contributors, I can't help but think I would be a little apprehensive about making inquiries regarding a rare vintage car. Pluses would include the seemingly bottomless knowledge from many contributors on this site that would verify history etc. On the other hand, mentioning that a rare vintage car is up for trade by posting the S/N could be akin to throwing chum into the shark tank.
I agree about the need for discretion, though back tracking through posts and commentary can certainly help in establishing the provenance of a car. However, there is often confusion or errors. For example, the history quoted for GTO 3987 (http://www.****************/register/view.php?id=3987) is a compete muddle seemingly referencing the history of an LM and doesn't even begin to deal with 3987 until half way down the page where it notes: 62/oct/21 1st OA 1000km Paris, Montlhery Pedro Rodriguez/Ricardo Rodriguez #1 TFL p293 The date of my acquisition is incorrect and the previous owner (Mark Slotkin) is left out entirely.
(http://www.****************/register/view.php?id=3987) *********** are the missing *** letters for those who wonder. Yale
remember that phrase "hide in plain sight"?? http://www.registercitizen.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20109133&BRD=1652&PAG=461&dept_id=665579&rfi=6 http://jalopnik.com/5045962/1958-ferrari-250-pf-recovered-in-connecticut-15-years-after-theft-in-spain
Jim, I was about to post the same link; you beat me to it. Interesting read... Just a guess, but I suspect that the website the police refer to in the warrant is this one. Regards, Art S.
