Lost/Stolen Stolen 2cv

[dollywobbler]

Let's remember that my 2CV looked just like that about 16 months ago. It's dramatic, but this can so easily be revived. The important bits are all still there!

 

As for 'in the 2CV community,' let's remember that the 'community' probably represents only half (if that) of all surviving 2CVs. Not saying you don't get rotten apples, I've had the misfortune to meet one or two, but I don't believe this was done by someone in the heart of the group. It's just far too easy to find you out.

[Felly Magic]

There is a chance some poor unsuspecting punter is getting their FUBAR 2CV rebuilt with hooky bits too, I've known some real dodgy bastards in the motor trade over the years, and wouldn't put it past some of these to do something like this

[SiC]

As I said earlier in this thread. The body and beating heart is still there. A lot of the character on an old car is the unique noise a engine makes - often unique to a particular example of a car. Which this has retained. I hope that she repairs it, even if its just to save the car.

 

I am still surprised that it hasn't been chopped up or burnt out and it was dumped. Maybe whoever did it (I'm going to guess another 2CV owner) didn't quite have the heart to quite do that...

[Mrs6C]

There are lots of bits missing, that's for sure. Clare must be so upset by that and I don't blame her. On the bright side though, it is a fine rolling chassis (all credit to Clare for keeping the car in such good order) and all the missing bits will bolt right back on again, as long as they can all be sourced at a price that she will find acceptable, preferably zero cost.

[danthecapriman]

It does seem a rather odd move to simply tow it into the street and dump it. More so given the publicity surrounding its theft.

If I’d done it I’d be damned sure there wasn’t a trace of it left to identify it or who had done it. Bizarre really.

[Zelandeth]

The fact that the 2CV is such a "stereotypical" classic makes this all the more terrifying. It shows that it's by no means the ultra high value cars that are to be targeted. 2CVs aren't worth silly money, and most parts are pretty readily available...

 

I can see this just as well being my Xantia in a couple of years, or more likely, my Lada. Body's a bit safer as the panels are welded on, but the rest of the car can be stripped clean in minutes with a rudimentary toolkit.

 

Doors, bootlid, bonnet are pretty hot items if rust free...big Philips Screwdriver is all you need to get the doors of...

 

Not sure what the answer is...best thing I can think is trackers...but they're not cheap in the case of the professional, hidden and fully monitored examples...and even then...nothing to stop them sticking it in a shielded truck and hauling it off...

 

CCTV isn't even going to help unless you're one of the particularly lucky areas where the police actually have the resources to help you out.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

It does seem a rather odd move to simply tow it into the street and dump it. More so given the publicity surrounding its theft.

If I’d done it I’d be damned sure there wasn’t a trace of it left to identify it or who had done it. Bizarre really.

 

 

Almost as if they didn't want to destroy it.......

 

I don't tend to steal cars, but I'd sure as hell finish it off with a match.

 

This was someone into 2CV's, in need of parts. They took it apart carefully and made sure the remains were found, unscathed. The bits won't be for sale because they aren't worth enough. You'd nick a 58 plate 320d if you wanted to make money.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

....Not sure what the answer is...best thing I can think is trackers...

Thieves already use trackers....so that they can pick the target cars off at their leisure.

[Felly Magic]

I hate to say this, but deep down I think it will be someone she knows

[Mrs6C]

I hate to say this, but deep down I think it will be someone she knows

I was just thinking that myself... there is something quite odd about this...

[Slartibartfast]

That Transit's been running about sans rent & rates since last year, it's bound to ping up an ANPR cam before long

 

I'd put money on it not. If it's been untaxed for that long, the owners would likely have been clobbered by now. I suspect cloned plates.

[Felly Magic]

A 9 year old Transit, nah it's the proper van, and belonging to a thieving toe rag, getting it MOT'd & taxed, they simply won't be bothered, they could even slap a set of trade plates on it when out & about, christ I know someone who's had a Polski car that they've never bothered to register or MOT, they just slap trade plates on it and drive it about, and it's been like that at least 3 years

[dollywobbler]

Can we stop slagging off the 2CV community please? All this bloody guesswork is entirely unnecessary. For all we know, the car was dumped (and covered) because they hoped to strip the remaining bits off. All this bloody pontificating about what might have happened doesn't achieve anything and is just a distraction.

 

The important bit is that the owner is still battling with the insurer, who are being arseholes, so there won't be much more action until that's resolved. Then we can start assembling parts, offering time and money etc.

[flat4alfa]

Smacks of an inside clubber job though doesn't it.  Its not slagging, it's disbelief reaction.  Someone must have taken it apart very close to where it was dumped.

 

I'm far more suspicious now of that garage behind the car park.  Or the other three locally.   Garage owner might not know a thing, likely a couple of fellas with the keys stripped in the evening when shut, power tools at the ready

[Felly Magic]

Ian, I know you cannot believe someone in the 2CV community could do this, but it does happen in every car club, the car was known, and known what time/times it would be vulnerable, and they certainly knew their way around a 2CV. I've lost count of reports of cars on forums being deliberately targetted. It is an almost certainty that she will know the person/persons who did this, I know you find this a bitr of a bitter pill, but sadly that is society as a whole now. I agree with flat4, those parts will not be far away from where the car was found, and it's very possible that van may be found as a smouldering shell, especially if it ends up in the national press

[jakebullet]

Not 2cv, but steal to order brazenness. A local school had it's minibus taken by chop thru the fence in school hours with kids in school. Found a couple of hours later on fire minus engine. Scary that such people* are about.

[Andyrew]

I have come round to this thought, very reluctantly.

Whilst this would make sense. I'd be surprised if a proper 2cv enthusiast / specialist done it.

 

This to me is a theft to save time/money. With a shell painted white all the parts bolt on job done Sold to the next unknowing person. Clearly its someone who's experienced in old motors but it doesn't need to be a 2cv expert to strip one down like this,Ikea furniture is more technical.

 

The photos of the shell is awful. I can see why she is undecided on what to do.

I hope she accepts people's offers of parts and help and the 2cv is rebuilt in an array of random miss match panels and never painted. Adding to it's history rather than trying to pretend it never happened.

 

I think in a months time a freshly MOT'd

But used looking dolly will appear on the bay or car and classic for a good chunk of cash.

[flat4alfa]

the 2cv is rebuilt in an array of random miss match panels and never painted

 

Ideal time to create a 2CV Harlequin special edition

 

Every cloud, etc.

[Zelandeth]

Forgot to add to my earlier post - for all I'm 100+ miles south, if there was a "rebuild-a-thon" arranged, I'm more than happy to drive up there and lend a hand.

 

I know how gutted I'd feel if someone had done that to my Lada, so if there's anything that can be done to help, count me in.

[gm]

Please don't think I'm taking the piss as I think this is an awful situation but might this be a suitable candidate for that car sos tv show ? Keep it away from those twonks at goblins garage though, they'll ruin it.

[BorniteIdentity]

It looks worse because its a 2cv,and everything can be unbolted in seconds.

The biggest issue to be learnt isn't about the police,who did it or how,but thast people with cars now worth many thousands that can be stolen using the back of a spoon in seconds need to wake up and start using some security.fuel and power cut offs,steering wheel locks,plugged into the mains etc.

 

^All of this^.  This year I'm having gates put at the end of my driveway, and one of those metal security posts sunk into the ground in front of my garage.

 

I am still surprised that it hasn't been chopped up or burnt out and it was dumped. Maybe whoever did it (I'm going to guess another 2CV owner) didn't quite have the heart to quite do that...

 

Maybe they WANTED it to be seen like this.

 

It does seem a rather odd move to simply tow it into the street and dump it.  Bizarre really.

 

Quite.

 

This was someone into 2CV's, in need of parts. You'd nick a 58 plate 320d if you wanted to make money.

 

Concur.

 

I hate to say this, but deep down I think it will be someone she knows

 

I've two theories.  

 

1) Someone she knows through the club.  The problem with being very public facing in any community or industry is it's very common to PUBLISH your address.  The owner has already said that the car is parked outside hers, and isn't used daily, so anyone coming up on the 'off chance' is likely to get a result.

 

2) Someone she's upset personally, aside from the car scene.  Unlikely - as, whilst it's a meccano car, it's a bit of a ball ache to strip a car then rub her face in it.  You'd just make it go on fire shirley?

 

Can we stop slagging off the 2CV community please?

 

Surely EVERYONE is under suspicion until proved otherwise?  There are plenty of examples in recent history of criminals hiding in plain sight.  These are quite a niché thing nowadays (single marque, single model) and there's a good chance anyone restoring a car has - at some stage - come into contact with an organisation like this.  Nobody for a second is accusing yourself or the club secretary, but everything should surely be considered no?

 

It looks a lot, lot better than I first thought.  If it was me, I'd use it to educate those of us who think we'd never become victim to something like this, how shitty insurance companies can be and what resilience REALLY is as I rebuilt it by hand myself.

[The Moog]

I think we have covered everything with regards to the stolen car - which was point of topic.

[Slartibartfast]

If it looks likely that she is going to accept help with the rebuild then we can open a new thread for that, but the speculation about who or why it was stolen is getting no one anywhere and has the potential to do real harm. Sorry, we know this is an emotive topic but this thread was headed in a very unhelpful direction.