Sixty-six-year-old American Robert Russell had the surprise of his life recently while browsing on eBay, as he stumbled upon the Austin Healey 3000 which he had purchased in 1967, and which had been stolen from him three years later in 1970. Although he never gave up hope of finding it one day, he acknowledges that the probability was quite slim. '' It could have been abandoned or demolished,'' admits the sexagenarian.
He still had the original keys and title in his possession. Russell contacted police as soon as he made the discovery. The authorities explained to Russell that the serial number had been improperly inputted in the official records at the time. Upon further investigation and the correction of the information, authorities quickly moved-in and seized the vehicle at the selling vendor's location, before promptly restoring it to its rightful owner.
Purchased for $3,000 at the time, the car is now estimated to be worth nearly $24,000 in today's market.
Source: Autoblog
He still had the original keys and title in his possession. Russell contacted police as soon as he made the discovery. The authorities explained to Russell that the serial number had been improperly inputted in the official records at the time. Upon further investigation and the correction of the information, authorities quickly moved-in and seized the vehicle at the selling vendor's location, before promptly restoring it to its rightful owner.
Purchased for $3,000 at the time, the car is now estimated to be worth nearly $24,000 in today's market.
Source: Autoblog