Hello everyone. I have recently been involved in a deal to purchase a pair of vettes and parts from guy a in Louisiana. He answered an ad that I ran in a MS paper looking for a big block vette. We have never met, and I have not seen the cars yet, but things seem to be getting a little fishy. He claims that he inherited the cars with clear titles and needs to sell them. His insistance on a cash deposit without me ever seeing the cars raised questions in my mind. I have not paid any money. Since my local police could not run the VINs, I went to my local courthouse where I learned that there is a lien on one of the cars. I am not sure if the guy was trying to hustle me or not, but if so he may try to hustle someone else out of a cash deposit. I am posting this to see if anyone knows anything about these cars or if they are missing or stolen and to warn folks if they are. The '71 vin is 194371S105677, and the '73 vin is 1Z37Z3S416516. Any help here would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Re: RE: help with VIN number on '71 & '73 vettes
I don't know why your local police couldn't run the VINs. I've always had luck with the local police doing that, as long as you give them the information on the cars if they come back as hot. Often they won't tell you who owns the car, or what the address is, but if you say "I found two Corvettes - '71 vin is 194371S105677, and the '73 vin is 1Z37Z3S416516 - and a John Q Doe at 1234 Main St claims to own them. Can you verify these are his and they are not stolen?", I can't see any reason they wouldn't. After all, if they are stolen, they already have a big chunk of the job done - you reported where they are and who has them.
Try a different police department. Or your state police.
Now if the cars are out of state, they may come back with little info.
Cash deposit without any proof they are his or they exist? No. I'd look up his phone number for an address and go see the cars. How far away are they?
If it is a scam, and he contacted you by email, then check out:
If he called you, and you are in a different state, and it is a scam he is originating, it could fall under federal, as interstate telephone lines make a lot of minor crimes big stuff. I had a great-uncle put away that way long ago.
Take a friend with you if you go see the cars. -
Re: Yeh one who's packin some heat for backup !
I looked at a 70 Challenger back in 1975 that was told to me by the owner had slight rear end damage.
After a one hour drive I found that the rear bumper was litterally pushed into the rear window opening.
Upon sharing my displeasure over being deceived, the cat pulled a pistol and started ranting about ME being a dirtbag to the point that he was getting that glassy eyed look.
When he looked away for a split second I clocked him on the side of the head with my Maglite.
Next thing I know there are two pitbulls coming out the front door.
Good thing I was close to my truck that's all I can say, they looked as big as Mack trucks coming off those steps!
I still have that dented Maglite and yes, he went to jail and yes, the Maglite still works
Be careful out there it's a dangerous world we live in today
ChuckComment
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Re: Yeh one who's packin some heat for backup !
I didn't want to say that because there are bound to be those who would be offended by such.
I went off on one like that, down into the backwoods of Missouri, off the state road, off the county road, and down a couple of fire trails. Two friends went with me, ended up on a farm that looked like it collected every car ever built, in various stages of disrepair. One of those places you wonder if anyone will ever hear from you again. Several dogs that looked like they'd eat you rather than bark.
We parked in nose out but it turned out alright. They were quite proud of their "collection" and we never came to an agreement on a '59 Corvette assembly project they had, but it turned out much more entertaining and enjoyable than you would have thought.Comment
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Re: RE: help with VIN number on '71 & '73 vettes
Frank,
Cannot help on the '71 but can give you some info on the '73. That VIN, 1Z37Z3S416516 is currently listed on Corvette Trader Online. It is a private party sell from Hot Springs Arkansas. Listed as a 454, automatic, Dark Blue Metallic with Black Leather, and 105000 miles. Listed at $18,500.
Here is the link:
tom...
The '73 SpotComment
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Re: RE: help with VIN number on '71 & '73 vettes
How much you want to bet the '71 was listed there or on eBay and just happened to be handy when the Louisiana guy read Frank's ad?
Sounds like scam more and more.
Tell him you are ready to send the money, ask him to read the number on the plate in the door jam. Don't tell him the color or trim, because he might guess to look it up in a book or online.Comment
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Re: RE: help with VIN number on '71 & '73 vettes
Thanks guys for all of the help. My local police said that they couldn't run VINs through the national system for private or personal use unless related to a crime or they might lose their privilege to the system. This is small town here.
Thanks Tom for the info on the '73. He claimed it to be a 454 auto, and the VIN showed it to be a BB, but he described it to be sunburst rust colored, running but with a knock and in need of repairs for $3500 plus an extra block and misc parts. I found the '71 in the system at my local courthouse, but they couldn't find the '73 so I thought he might have given me some numbers of the 4000 that weren't used. But I guess he found some on the net.
This is sounding more and more like a scam. Thanks again for brothers in the hobby.Comment
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Re: RE: help with VIN number on '71 & '73 vettes
Frank,
I would be tempted to call the guy in Hot Springs that has the car listed (phone is in the ad) to see if he still has the car. If he does he may be interested to find out that someone else is trying to sell it
tom...
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Re: RE: help with VIN number on '71 & '73 vettes
Tom,
I tried to call the guy in Hot Springs today, but I didn't get an answer. I was thinking the same thing. Now if we could just find that '71 that has a MS title with a lien on it. That guy might be interested to know someone is trying to sell it too. Thanks, frankComment
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