Never lose hope!!

When U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Port of Los Angeles opened a shipping container bound for the Netherlands, they discovered a 1965 Volkswagen bus stolen in Washington state 35 years ago.

Far out, man!

The unusual seizure of the mint-condition bus on Oct. 19 came during a routine inspection of several Volkswagens that were being shipped by a U.S. restorer to customers in Europe. The vehicle identification number of the blue-and-white bus, which was swiped from a repair shop in Spokane on July 12, 1974, was still in police computers.

“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” customs spokesman Jaime Ruiz said today when the recovery was announced.

The restorer, who was not identified, isn’t a suspect in the theft, authorities said.

“He’s a victim himself. He was an innocent purchaser,” said California Highway Patrol investigator Mike Maleta.

Maleta said Spokane police couldn’t locate the woman who once owned the bus.

“Allstate paid her $2,500 or so to settle the claim,” he said. “Now, it’s worth $25,000. ... It’s in pristine condition. It looks like it’s brand new. So Allstate wanted it.”

Bummer.





alan

Of course Allstate wanted it, they want to "keep it in good hands".:thumbsup: Good story though.

________________

Now they'll auction it for more money.

That's pretty cool I love those buses.

Well, fair's fair. They did pay market price for it when it was stolen so they own the pink slip.

alan

Well, fair's fair. They did pay market price for it when it was stolen so they own the pink slip.

alan
X 2... even though I don't like it ...if it was your Camaro,you'd want it back :yes:

anyone show this to sixties iron???

anyone show this to sixties iron???

:popcorn:

It seems like he is hiding low, he has not be around the last few days, It is not his car
someone paid for it 35+ years ago. Weather it was the "GREEDY INS CO" his words,
or the original owner, I would like to know?

I've always had a thing for these cars. If they don't find the owner it would great at the car shows.

I've always had a thing for these cars. If they don't find the owner it would great at the car shows.

X2! I always liked the old Volkswagons. Now I may possibly be hanged for treason because I said that:eek:.

I'll assume that Allstate did not pay the restorer for the "unauthorized" restoration of their property. Seems they should get it back in the same conditon as when they paid the claim.

Jeff

I'll assume that Allstate did not pay the restorer for the "unauthorized" restoration of their property. Seems they should get it back in the same conditon as when they paid the claim.

Jeff

Being the fact that it was stolen 35 years ago, and they paid for it, what condition do you think it was in in July of 1974? Other than the "pot" smell! LOL

I know when I had the wrecker company, if we sold an impounded car for more than was owed on it the additional money went into an escrow account and the owner was entitled to it. if it was not claimed than it was ours.

Maybe the insurance is the same way. they paid out $2500 and anything over that may go to the original owner. Just a thought.

Or if she was found could she give Allstate back the $2,500 and get the $25,000 bus.

Or if she was found could she give Allstate back the $2,500 and get the $25,000 bus.

If thats the case you would have to add in inflation.

What cost $2500 in 1974 would cost $10798.23 in 2008 :D

http://law.rightpundits.com/wp-content/photos/VW_Microbus.jpg

http://law.rightpundits.com/?p=944

http://www.krem.com/news/Stolen-VW-bus-shows-up-in-seaport-container-35-years-later-69302962.html

Plus interest, 2500 @ 5% for 35 years is now 14,334 compunded monthly. 8% is over 40K.

anyone show this to sixties iron???

I did I posted it in his "Vin no match" thread in the restoration section

Original Owner has come forward and is in talks with Allstate :)

She paid under $1000 for it and got $2500 from Ins. Story describes the "party Van" from the 70s :D

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125790137076542665.html

If Allstate was smart, they would let her have it back and then put her and the van in a commercial.

I know when I had the wrecker company, if we sold an impounded car for more than was owed on it the additional money went into an escrow account and the owner was entitled to it. if it was not claimed than it was ours.

Maybe the insurance is the same way. they paid out $2500 and anything over that may go to the original owner. Just a thought.


That would be a first, that a insurance company would be that generous:noway: