I am an avid reader of various automobile related blog sites. Once in a while I come across those stories where an owner is reunited with their car from either having to sell it at some point in their life or it was stolen. I can't help but wonder in this day and age if there is a way to track classic vehicles based on their VIN prior to the 1981 standardization of VIN numbers.
Here's my story...
The year was 1993. I was 9 years old. and Dad was either in the double digits for Z ownership or on the verge of creeping into double digits(1). He purchased a '72 240Z and spared no time getting it to a friend's shop in Hollywood, FL.
Fast forward to Summer 1994, we had just moved from West Palm to Orlando, FL. At the time we were staying in apartments and Dad was back and forth to West Palm while tying up loose ends and awaiting his job transfer. His transfer came through and was now permanent in Orlando.
October 1994, the car was near completion. I'm sure most if not all of you on this forum can imagine the excitement at this point. His inspiration for the color was the Dodge Viper yellow. And to set it off, added dual, black racing stripes down the middle. He went down to help out with the finishing touches and bring the car up on Friday, October 21, 1994.
I could not accompany him but was waiting up the Friday night to catch a glimpse of it and go around the complex with him for a ride. It was past 10PM and I passed out on the couch, and Mom ended up putting me to bed. Dad came in sometime between then and midnight, I believe. The car was parked in a spot where it was visible from our apartment.
At some point in the night he heard a sound that sound like the engine start. As tired as he was, he thought he was dreaming. The following morning he woke up early to wash the car. I heard him wake up and got out of bed myself to help and of course go for my ride
He grabbed the keys and walked down. I finished getting dressed to go meet him and at the same time he comes back in pale as a ghost and in a panicked state. He immediately asked Mom to call the cops and we went walking around the complex to look for the car. In his mind, he was hoping he had parked it somewhere. At the same time he recalls hearing the engine start overnight. The car was gone! While walking around, this was the first time I saw Dad cry.
Being new to the Orlando area, we heard of places not to go driving into or to stay away from. Needless to say Dad spent a few days scouring neighborhoods and inquiring at local shops looking for his Z. There was only one sighting we're aware of - a liquor store in Eatonville, FL.
The car was unique for that time. So it is without a doubt it was easily recognizable and stood out in people's minds.
A few months later we were headed east bound, back from Tampa area on I-4. Dad spotted a yellow S30, no stripes running down I-4 headed eastbound. He immediately got off at the next exit and chased after the car. We followed the car all the way to a Walmart parking lot and it was now night time. Dad waited until the driver and passenger exited and went in. Then walked up to the car and looked at the VIN, It was not his car.
He had the VIN ingrained in his head and probably knew it better than my own birthday.
We still have the police report(s), title, insurance documents all showing ownership of the vehicle with his name on it. Just need to identify any which way we can be reunited with this car.
(1) - He's owned every generation Z except for the 370Z.
