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MGC Up-date on the "found" MGC....

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Update on the "found" MGC....

Well, I emailed the owner of the abandoned MGC and got a response. Indeed, the car was hotwired and stolen from New Orleans during Katrina. I emailed back all the particulars of what-where-etc. and have gotten no further response. He maintains that the car runs well (I would think this is correct info) and wanted to know where it was. That is it. The kicker is, the tow service knows what he has and fully intends to gain legal (but immoral) ownership of the vehicle. I washed my hands in the matter. I think you would be surprised how many tow services pull stunts like this across the country. There is more to the story behind the guy that actually owns the title to the car (amazing what Google will bring up) as well. The whole situation is beginning to reek. Pity, what a great find, a true 150bhp engine that runs well. Wonder if it would've fit in my TR6. Hmmmmm

Bill
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Bill,

Regardless of how this turns out, I think you did the right thing and I applaud your efforts. Well done.

As for the owner of the tow shop – it takes a special kind of low life to do something like that. I hope the MGC owner goes & retrieves his vehicle before the tow shop can pull this horrible act of selfishness off.

Ya know ya always hear how tragic events like Katrina bring out the best & worst of folks. But I am always amazed at the acts of kindness and equally disgusted by some of the terrible things some morally lacking people will do.
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Now wait a minute...if the car was hot wired and stolen, why doesn't the owner report it and it's whereabouts to the authorities and let the police recover his stolen car? Something is not right here

Bruce
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Bill did say that there was a lot more to the story.

But at this point I'd be willing to giving the owner the benefit of the doubt given the set of sercomstances. Whos to say that the owner didn't report it stolen? Or couldn't?

With all that's going on down there I could understand that a stolen car wouldn't be a high priority with law enforcment right now.
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Bruce, I rather doubt that the NO police were taking many stolen vehicle reports, they had a few other things to do.

TR6Bill you did the right thing.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Even if a police report were taken I am pretty sure the tow company would be entitled to storage fees. Once those fees exceed the value of the car they apply for a title regardless of true ownership. It doesn't take long at $25 a day, minimum. Least thats how it works here in Florida. Possesion is 9/10ths!
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

[ QUOTE ]
Even if a police report were taken I am pretty sure the tow company would be entitled to storage fees. Once those fees exceed the value of the car they apply for a title regardless of true ownership. It doesn't take long at $25 a day, minimum. Least thats how it works here in Florida. Possesion is 9/10ths!

[/ QUOTE ]

On possesion being 9/10's I must disagree.

I don’t think anyone said that a tow service isn’t entitled to a reasonable storage fee under normal circumstances. But there is nothing normal about this particular situation. Especially that the owner of the tow service in this case has (according to Bill) admitted his intent to keep the vehicle. That is no better than price gouging to take advantage of the victims suffering from this already tragic situation and is morally wrong.

Moreover from what I have seen thousands of folks had to abandon their vehicles for any number of reasons as they left the affected areas. While this is a low priority right at the moment, I suspect we’ll here more about these types of situations as the dust settles.

If it was me - I'd say the towing company should be required to hold vehicles longer than the 60 or 90 days to allow the owners to find and recover them. As for storage fees - after extending the time to recover the vehicle reimbursement should "capped" and be regulated & controlled by government for their storage services. If for no other reason than to just keep the honest folks honest.
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Word has it the RO had fled Katrina to the Sooner state and did indeed get in touch with the tow guy. Methinks the tow guy is in the process of screwing RO. I am staying far away from this circus. Anyone want an MGC with an engine that runs? It may well be on the market. No one can go into N.O. for awhile. Tow guy is a con artist, RO may be in a pickle, I am just on the sidelines. I will nonchalantly approach the tow guy to see what is going on. Hate to see this happen but better it goes to a good home.

Bill
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

well Bill I don't know where you are but I'm between Abbeville & Lafayette- If a twincam 1960 pops up around here you have my permission to secure the car!!!I'm either dead or locked up . We will pay to get it back-after 40 years I entend to be buried in it. Randi
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

It finally happened. The owner managed to get in touch with the tow guy, who proceeded to use every power the State affords him to screw him to the wall. The little MGC is now gone and I kinda think the owner is at least $1,500.00 poorer. What a shame.

Bill
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Yes, there are laws...written by friends of the towing companies though. The tow operator is entitled to reasonable storage fees, but this is rediculous. I hope the guys insurance covers it, but then you know who is paying for that...you and I! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/pukeface.gif

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

If t'wer me, there'd be lawyers and a government official or ten involved pretty quick... mebbe the local NBC affiliate consumer advocacy "Eight Up Yer Ass" folks for good measure... and the "tow guy" would start to have some sleepless nights. Bureaucrats WOULD be involved. Sooo many ways to entangle a shifty "bidness" owner, in spite of the "law." Just gotta be the "squeakiest wheel" onna wagon. Tear 'im a 'new one' bureaucratically using every means necessary.

He'd have to bake and sell cookies as a business if he stole SWMBO's MG like that. Sure as 'ell wouldn't be inna towing business anymore, GAARR-UN-TEE'D.
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Ahah but this is LOUISIANA,,,,,,,,,all our Governors go to jail! Randi
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Hate to say "I told ya so..." Maybe small claims court might give the owner a bit of satisfation. I would bet that the owner is just happy to get his car back at this point.
Ăž
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

Your state doesn't have the only governor's row at their state pen.
But about half the natives I know claim to be kin to Jesse James or Dillenger(?).
Didn't Corkey Roberts says all the cemetaries in louisiana are above ground so they don't have so far to walk to vote?

They have a towing firm here that is just like the one mentioned in this thread. They towed my car from the airport by mistake ( Oh you mean there were 2 white GMC pickup trucks in the same parking lot? ) and even after having the parking lot call them and getting a waiver it cost me $200.00 to get it back. I didn't have to pay the parking bill though ($35.00 at the time).
I was also out the change in the cab and a couple of CD's that were locked in the glovebox.
Legal action I was told don't bother by the police.
 
Re: Update on the "found" MGC....

I would have taken a couple of brothers and my friend Dan Wesson along to deal with that situation /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cowboy.gif

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
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