Stolen Trans Am - NJ (***Has been found***)

[Injuneer]

Just wanted to help a buddy out.... his 1997 T/A WS6 was stolen on Wednesday, December 17 from his home in cental NJ (North/New Brunswick, NJ area). I know its a long shot that someone will see it, but the car has some unique features that make it easy to spot:

-1997 T/A WS6 - CLEAN!!
-White
-tan leather
-tinted windows, including windshield
-shaved door locks
-shaved rear side marker lights
-WS6 hood with enlarged openings
-"bird" removed from rear tail light center panel
-brake lights/directionals work on all three positions on each side, rather than just two
-Mille Miglia 18" 5-spoke wheels all around
-Nitrous system

He's a retired Marine... maybe someone can give him a Christmas present!

Fred

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Will keep an eye out...betcha it's in Newark.


I'll let my buddies on the Mustang boards know...

[95z28]

do you know the vin number ?? i am a frequent on ebay and auto trader.

[Joe K. 99 Zeee!!]

What idiot would steal such a unique car? If they're smart they wouldn't drive it around. They'd take it to a chop shop. If they don't it should be relatively easy to spot.

Of course, this person is stealing cars. How smart could they be?

[95z28]

i just realized how un smart i am .... how cud they sell it they dont have the title

[Jeff_in_Atl]

"i just realized how un smart i am .... how cud they sell it they dont have the title"

Not totally. You might find it being parted out on e-bay.

[tabahr]

I cannot figure out car theives. Get a job, for god sakes.

There is a school in Florida that teaches folks to be repo-men. Go there, get some qualifications and steal some cars legally!

Fun FUn FUn

I hope the car is found in 1 piece, but the chances are vestly against that. Did he have insurance?

[Mark B]

"i just realized how un smart i am .... how cud they sell it they dont have the title"

Not necessarily. I know they probably have a way to make a fake title. They then sell it and the poor guy that buys the car doesnt realize that he has a stolen car till he goes to the DMV to register his new car.

But it will probably be parted out. There is less risk involved for them. I wouldnt be surprised if the car has changed hands 3-4 times since it was stolen.

[azkkn]

that car will bring 2~3 times its resale value, if it is parted out, it will also be sold faster, and be less traceable than if it were sold whole. i hate to think of any car being stripped for parts if it isnt wrecked. i hate more to think that it was stolen in the first place. some poor guy is sitting in a 04 malibu rental car fuming because his baby is gone. I wish cars were truely theft proof

[dimn]

You guys should really invest in Ravelco .. if you haven't heard of it, visit their website ..

And like it says on the website.. not one car stolen in 27 years, yes it really works. First thing im installing when I buy my camaro.

[TruckMuddr]

I have heard that in Miami some people will steal a car, and then go buy a totaled car of the same year and model with a rebuildable title and switch the Vin's and say that they rebuilt the car.

[N20LT4Bird]

Originally posted by dimn
You guys should really invest in Ravelco .. if you haven't heard of it, visit their website ..

And like it says on the website.. not one car stolen in 27 years, yes it really works. First thing im installing when I buy my camaro.

looks like a good idea. any idea on price? can it be installed by the vehicle owner or does it have to be "professionally" installed?

[Injuneer]

I "split" the thread to remove the "how to prevent vehicle theft" posts. They are now listed under a separate thread.

Some info on this particular car theft..... sort of "lessons learned".....

Kyle drove his ratty old p/u truck to a local pub. While there, he lost the keys to his 1997 T/A. He figures someone found the keys and followed him home, so they would know where to find the T/A. Pure speculation, but does suggest that an alarm that needs a code entered each time, or the "plug" that needs to be inserted each time would prevent this particular scenario.

I guess if you lose you keys, it might be a good idea to have the locks changed and the alarm code reprogrammed if you have an alarm. PITA, but it would have worked in this case.

[Injuneer]

This car has been found!!

Car was stolen on North Brunswick, NJ, was found abandoned in Staten Island, NY, about 30 miles from where it was stolen. A lotof "removable" parts like stereo, spare and nitrous system was gone. 18" wheels and WS6 hood were still there. A couple flat tires, scrapes on bumper, muffler crushed and FILTHY.

Kyle is happy to have it back.

Fred

[Black97]

Originally posted by Injuneer
This car has been found!!

Car was stolen on North Brunswick, NJ, was found abandoned in Staten Island, NY, about 30 miles from where it was stolen. A lotof "removable" parts like stereo, spare and nitrous system was gone. 18" wheels and WS6 hood were still there. A couple flat tires, scrapes on bumper, muffler crushed and FILTHY.

Kyle is happy to have it back.

Fred

Glad they found it.

My IROC-Z was stolen and when it returned it was never the same. Eventually got rid of it.

Sometimes it's better when they don't come back.