whoopeerabbit
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2010
- Messages
- 10
I'm not sure which thread this would be best to post on...I need help ASAP.
For nearly 10 years my '71 has been at a mechanic's for repairs to the tranny and brakes. It was in great running condition when I first took it there. New 302 (less than 35,000 miles), wear and tear to the bod, a rusted through spot on the passenger floor, plus the hood needed replaced. He was supposed to fix the trans and in exchange for some taxidermy work on my part. I also traded him a Toyota Pickup with a slipping transmission in exchange for the brake work.
Right after we made the arrangement, I was diagnosed with cancer, went through a nasty divorce and had to close the studio. The mechanic was well aware of the entire situation, and at all times knew where his antlers, etc were. I had attempted to contact him several times since and never could catch him home; during the interim, he moved the Bronc to his field, and there it sat, with no work being done.
A little less than three years ago, he showed up at my gate wanting to know if I still wanted my Bronco (???still WANTED IT???). I told him I most certainly DID. Took him back to the new workshop to show him his mount. All it needed was a touch of finish work and a good dusting off. I didn't hear back from him after that. I did drive over to his place (where I had dropped the Bronc off at) several times, but couldn't see it anywhere.
Well, this last week I met him and his wife at the local Walmart, where he told me that the Bronco was nothing but trash, a fender had fallen off and a tree had grown up through the floor. He said he had it hauled off, tough luck, as it was GONE. He never did ANY of the work. We found the junk yard where the remains are supposed to be, and will be there first thing in the AM with a title copy in hand.
In a nutshell, he has had my Bronco all this time, never did any work on it; he neglected it, took the Toyota and traded it off, and I have nothing. What I figure it adds up to is Grand Theft Auto, and if possible, I will file charges. If the salvage yard has any identifyable remains, I think that the owner will be liable for receiving stolen property.
BTW, he laughed at me when I was standing aghast, and told me that the remains were now worthless. His wife chirped in to tell me that any engine that had set up for so long would be froze up and useless.
Anyone out in Broncoland have any feedback or suggestions? What value should I present to the sheriff's department? What kind of basic salvage value would a '71 have, since we all know how hard the parts are to find? How can I get anything back? I'm screwed!
Any kind of suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, all!
For nearly 10 years my '71 has been at a mechanic's for repairs to the tranny and brakes. It was in great running condition when I first took it there. New 302 (less than 35,000 miles), wear and tear to the bod, a rusted through spot on the passenger floor, plus the hood needed replaced. He was supposed to fix the trans and in exchange for some taxidermy work on my part. I also traded him a Toyota Pickup with a slipping transmission in exchange for the brake work.
Right after we made the arrangement, I was diagnosed with cancer, went through a nasty divorce and had to close the studio. The mechanic was well aware of the entire situation, and at all times knew where his antlers, etc were. I had attempted to contact him several times since and never could catch him home; during the interim, he moved the Bronc to his field, and there it sat, with no work being done.
A little less than three years ago, he showed up at my gate wanting to know if I still wanted my Bronco (???still WANTED IT???). I told him I most certainly DID. Took him back to the new workshop to show him his mount. All it needed was a touch of finish work and a good dusting off. I didn't hear back from him after that. I did drive over to his place (where I had dropped the Bronc off at) several times, but couldn't see it anywhere.
Well, this last week I met him and his wife at the local Walmart, where he told me that the Bronco was nothing but trash, a fender had fallen off and a tree had grown up through the floor. He said he had it hauled off, tough luck, as it was GONE. He never did ANY of the work. We found the junk yard where the remains are supposed to be, and will be there first thing in the AM with a title copy in hand.
In a nutshell, he has had my Bronco all this time, never did any work on it; he neglected it, took the Toyota and traded it off, and I have nothing. What I figure it adds up to is Grand Theft Auto, and if possible, I will file charges. If the salvage yard has any identifyable remains, I think that the owner will be liable for receiving stolen property.
BTW, he laughed at me when I was standing aghast, and told me that the remains were now worthless. His wife chirped in to tell me that any engine that had set up for so long would be froze up and useless.
Anyone out in Broncoland have any feedback or suggestions? What value should I present to the sheriff's department? What kind of basic salvage value would a '71 have, since we all know how hard the parts are to find? How can I get anything back? I'm screwed!
Any kind of suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, all!
