Hi ? remember this story?
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic ... highlight=
I just wanted to let everyone know the latest on this ?saga? , if you have the time please read the original post to get an idea of what this car actually means to me.
About a week after my car was found, a clubman was spotted driving out of the very street that my mini was found in. An investigation took place (over 6 ? 8 weeks) and eventually the police had executed a search warrant and took their suspect down to the police station for questioning. The police determined that he had stolen the car and stripped all parts from it and put them on his car.
The police then sought and gained approval to have the car released prior to the court hearing so that I could get my parts back. My insurer (SHANNONS) allowed me to take the parts off myself (at my request) for no cost. There was no way I was going to let anyone else near my parts. I should also say that I would highly recommend SHANNONS to anyone out there considering insurance for your mini or any other older car.
With the help of the police officer who busted this guy I now have ALL of my parts back. Every last bit?? except my number plate assembly.
This is a very censored version of the events for obvious reasons. Anyone who wants to know more can PM and maybe I'll tell you the full story. I'm obviously reluctant to talk in too much detail in such a public forum.
FWIW apparently the guy is very regretfull about what he did and had also offered (via the police) to help me in any way possible. I had to laugh when the cop told me about his offer of "help". Hilarious considering what he has actully put me AND my family through. IF he's on this forum then HOPEFULLY he'll get SOME understanding of the damage that his selfish actions have caused.
I don't think I need to explain just how happy I am to have everything back. Now all that?s left to do is re-paint my car. I?ve started the s_l_o_w process of stripping parts off the car in readiness for the paint and have found someone who will do the paint in Acrylic ?oh fudge? for me .... Woo HOO!!! I'll be taking the paint back to bare metal myself so I may need some help and advice along the way. I'll be starting to strip the paint in about two weeks - I have taken a few days annual leave to do this so hopefully I'll have the car in the paint shop before Christmas!!
In the process over the last 3 months I have also accumulated a massive amount of spare mini parts. I started buying bits and pieces (including a car - see below) thinking that I?d never actually get my stuff back and as a result managed to get a hold of some pretty good stuff?..some of which will be popping up for sale in the coming months.
Just a couple of pics fyi.
Notice "sam brown" in the background. He was bought for parts for my resto. His body is totaly knackerd (rust) but I still got lots of nice bits and pieces off him. Keep an eye on the for sale forum in the coming months.
"some" of the parts I brought home that day.
I was very excited to put my carpet and seats back in the car the same day I brought the parts home!!
The original brand new spare looking alittle "weathered" was in his boot. Thank god it wasn't damaged.
cleaned up ok though ...
Thank you all again for your support, kind words and generous offers during my ordeal and thanks for taking the time to read my story. Even though this was over-all a very sad experience one of the great things I gained out of it is discovering this forum and learning what a brilliant place ausmin.com is and just how amazing the mini community is. Makes me believe that things do actually happen for a reason. I also got to meet Chris and see Elmo when I came up to Sydney to get some bits and pieces off John Smidt (mini spare center). If it wasn't for people like Chris on this forum then I never would have even known about John and the great stuff he has up there. Thanks Chris - was unreal meeting - especially bumping into you at the clinic!! What a pisser!. Also a big thanks to Ray Potts and the VMCI for publishing my story and staying interested in my story all the way through. There's heaps of other brilliant brillian mini people that I've met because of this and I won't thank all of them individually - but they know who they are.
Will be sure to keep everyone updated on my project.
Cheers,
BC.
.. I just love a happy ending...