164 found!

Audrey Old · Dec 5th, 2011, 18:07

You must all know by now that my former show Volvo 164 was stolen from my locked garage last week - if not, see my lament-thread below!

Well, the Police supplied a crime-number but weren’t able to look for evidence as to who might have jemmied all the garage doors open, and in two cases wrenching the door frames from the brickwork, exposing the cars inside. Therefore my son and I deduced my car was lifted away on a spectacle-lift (graunch-marks on the concrete) fitted to a single rear-wheel van like a Transit: tyre prints in the grass/mud don’t lie.

However, the breakthrough came when, after us finding details on an internet link, Nick Hughes of the Spedeworth Racing organisation phoned to say one of his contacts had seen a likely car in a farmyard at Smallfield near Gatwick Airport. We searched an area with lots of small farms, some now dealing with cars, but couldn’t find the right place until a grab-hire lorry driver in the village garage said he knew where it was, so led us there. The Police were persuaded to meet us there, and upon entering this supposed chicken farm found lots of limo’s and other big cars waiting to be converted for banger-racing. My car was half under a tarp, behind a large recovery lorry.

Whilst the Police took notes from the land-owner (who wasn’t the thief - he gave £80 to a middle-man for it), my son went back for our van plus car-carrying trailer, winched it on and took it back home. Damage: very light considering what they do when stripping for racing - we found my car just in time. The steering lock was smashed, one tyre was almost off its rim, the mirrors were broken and the bonnet is graunched as they’d dumped an XJ6 bonnet onto mine to “hide” it. These faults can be added to the list of work I have to do anyway, to get it back on the road, but at least I have my car back!

So again I offer my massive thanks to Nick for putting us onto the right tracks to retrieve my car, and to you all who offered support on here. Nick said his organisation sometimes has a bad name, so he does all he can to dispel that argument - well done Nick, and thanks again.

Moral of the story: don’t assume a locked garage in a quiet block is secure storage for your classic. Make sure your car has a tamper-proof alarm and if possible fit security lights or CCTV to illuminate your garage if the worst should happen. Now it seems the main looser is the widow who I rent from, as she now faces a bill of well over £3000 to get her blocks repaired. As a final note, I will not be renting a garage there again - once bitten twice shy.

Contented Paul re-united with his 164

scottishvolvo · Dec 5th, 2011, 18:25

Great news, glad you've been re-united and the 164 hasn't been lost to the banger world.

chelle_belle · Dec 5th, 2011, 18:26

excellent you got it back,

Great news.

rusty244 · Dec 5th, 2011, 18:32

Great news!!!

Do you know if the police will be taking this any further? Were any of the other cars there also stolen? There could be other owners anxious to be reunited with their cars.

If the culprit(s) can be identified it may be possible for the owner of your lockup to file a claim in the civil courts and recover the damages from these scumbags.

john h · Dec 5th, 2011, 18:35

Brilliant news, well done!

John

laptoprob · Dec 5th, 2011, 20:40

Well done Sherlock!

capt jack · Dec 5th, 2011, 20:47

Fantastic news

Jack

john h · Dec 5th, 2011, 21:45

Paul,

Do you need mirrors? I have a good used pair that you can have as freebie as a Christmas present for the car after it's near-death experience, and my small contribution to getting it fixed again!

These ones:

If they're the type you need, PM your address and I'll send them.

John

LankyTim · Dec 5th, 2011, 22:02

Great news to hear its back. I wonder if it would have been found if you hadn't gone out and looked for it?

Lets hope the police throw the book at the crims responsible, or atleast give them a good beating.

Will a steering lock from a 240 fit? If so I have one you can have.

foggyjames · Dec 6th, 2011, 01:19

Outstanding detective work, sir! It's pretty scary, honestly. It begs the question how they knew it was there. It's also sad that there is a persistent criminal element related to the banger scene.

As for the culprits...I'll volunteer to fire the first shot...

cheers

James

Dec 5th, 2011, 18:07	#1
Audrey Old VOC Member Last Online: Jan 26th, 2023 12:19 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lancing	164 found! You must all know by now that my former show Volvo 164 was stolen from my locked garage last week - if not, see my lament-thread below! Well, the Police supplied a crime-number but weren’t able to look for evidence as to who might have jemmied all the garage doors open, and in two cases wrenching the door frames from the brickwork, exposing the cars inside. Therefore my son and I deduced my car was lifted away on a spectacle-lift (graunch-marks on the concrete) fitted to a single rear-wheel van like a Transit: tyre prints in the grass/mud don’t lie. However, the breakthrough came when, after us finding details on an internet link, Nick Hughes of the Spedeworth Racing organisation phoned to say one of his contacts had seen a likely car in a farmyard at Smallfield near Gatwick Airport. We searched an area with lots of small farms, some now dealing with cars, but couldn’t find the right place until a grab-hire lorry driver in the village garage said he knew where it was, so led us there. The Police were persuaded to meet us there, and upon entering this supposed chicken farm found lots of limo’s and other big cars waiting to be converted for banger-racing. My car was half under a tarp, behind a large recovery lorry. Whilst the Police took notes from the land-owner (who wasn’t the thief - he gave £80 to a middle-man for it), my son went back for our van plus car-carrying trailer, winched it on and took it back home. Damage: very light considering what they do when stripping for racing - we found my car just in time. The steering lock was smashed, one tyre was almost off its rim, the mirrors were broken and the bonnet is graunched as they’d dumped an XJ6 bonnet onto mine to “hide” it. These faults can be added to the list of work I have to do anyway, to get it back on the road, but at least I have my car back! So again I offer my massive thanks to Nick for putting us onto the right tracks to retrieve my car, and to you all who offered support on here. Nick said his organisation sometimes has a bad name, so he does all he can to dispel that argument - well done Nick, and thanks again. Moral of the story: don’t assume a locked garage in a quiet block is secure storage for your classic. Make sure your car has a tamper-proof alarm and if possible fit security lights or CCTV to illuminate your garage if the worst should happen. Now it seems the main looser is the widow who I rent from, as she now faces a bill of well over £3000 to get her blocks repaired. As a final note, I will not be renting a garage there again - once bitten twice shy. Contented Paul re-united with his 164

Dec 5th, 2011, 18:25	#2
scottishvolvo Premier Member Last Online: May 9th, 2024 21:16 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glasgow	Great news, glad you've been re-united and the 164 hasn't been lost to the banger world. __________________ Chris '98 S40 2.0T..Gone. 2000 S40 2.0 SE Auto and loving it. 2014 V40 Cross Country Please consider registering with the Anthony Nolan Trust, you could save a life.

Dec 5th, 2011, 18:26	#3
chelle_belle and Craig! Last Online: Apr 1st, 2024 06:25 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Manchester	164 excellent you got it back, Great news. __________________ Michelle and Craig. 855 R 855 T-5

Dec 5th, 2011, 18:35	#5
john h VOC Member Last Online: May 9th, 2024 17:34 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Huddersfield View Photos By: john h	Brilliant news, well done! John __________________ XX

Dec 5th, 2011, 21:45	#8
john h VOC Member Last Online: May 9th, 2024 17:34 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Huddersfield View Photos By: john h	Paul, Do you need mirrors? I have a good used pair that you can have as freebie as a Christmas present for the car after it's near-death experience, and my small contribution to getting it fixed again! These ones: If they're the type you need, PM your address and I'll send them. John __________________ XX

Dec 5th, 2011, 18:32	#4
rusty244 Senior Member Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 21:01 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North West	Great news!!! Do you know if the police will be taking this any further? Were any of the other cars there also stolen? There could be other owners anxious to be reunited with their cars. If the culprit(s) can be identified it may be possible for the owner of your lockup to file a claim in the civil courts and recover the damages from these scumbags.

Dec 5th, 2011, 20:40	#6
laptoprob Member Last Online: Sep 3rd, 2020 15:58 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Haarlem	Well done Sherlock!

Dec 5th, 2011, 20:47	#7
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:19 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Fantastic news Jack

Dec 5th, 2011, 22:02	#9
LankyTim Missing the point Last Online: May 1st, 2024 18:59 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Stoke-On-Trent View Photos By: LankyTim	Great news to hear its back. I wonder if it would have been found if you hadn't gone out and looked for it? Lets hope the police throw the book at the crims responsible, or atleast give them a good beating. Will a steering lock from a 240 fit? If so I have one you can have. __________________ Tim 1968 Volvo 145 long term project. Currently without a Volvo daily driver. Last edited by LankyTim; Dec 5th, 2011 at 22:06.

Dec 6th, 2011, 01:19	#10
foggyjames 300 Register Keeper Last Online: Today 01:14 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Nottingham	Outstanding detective work, sir! It's pretty scary, honestly. It begs the question how they knew it was there. It's also sad that there is a persistent criminal element related to the banger scene. As for the culprits...I'll volunteer to fire the first shot... cheers James __________________ VOC 300-series Register Keeper '13 V70 D4 SE Lux '89 740 Turbo Intercooler '88 360 Turbo Intercooler '84 360 GLT '81 343 GLS R-Sport '79 343 DL '70 164

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