My car was stolen right out of my work parking lot...

[Kris Horton]

Yup...great way to wrap up my day. It had already been the longest day of my life and I was just about to leave for the day when someone from the front office came to see if I was there. He said he didn't see my car outside and thought that maybe I had left. I figured he didn't recognize my 84 El Camino (which I've been driving off and on while the Mustang gets finished for SEMA) and was just looking for my Mustang. Well, 5 minutes later, I stepped out the front door and sure enough...my car was gone.

I had a moment where I thought "wait, where did I park it?" It wasn't me being forgetful, but more of a knee-jerk reaction. So I kind of stood there for a moment in complete shock and then picked up my cell and called my dad, who normally drives the car, but has been kind enough to loan it back to me for the past month.

After breaking the bad news to him, I called the cops and waited on them. The officer who came was really cool and understanding. He was a car guy as well, so that made the situation a bit more bearable. So after I filed the report, my boss gave me a ride home. He felt really bad about it and gave me tomorrow off. Hopefully the find the car, in tact. I don't give a damn if the radio's missing, I just want my car back.

I drove it all through high school and part of college and have a lot of memories in it. Recently it got a fresh paint job, a new set of wheels, and some new speakers.

For the record, the car was locked and in the parking lot...but I guess that didn't mean much to them. If there's any consolation, it's fully insured and had about 3 gallons of gas left in it and a locking gas cap...and I have the key.

It's a crappy feeling I tell ya. And before you go saying "It's just an 80's El Camino, ask anyone who's seen it. It was a fine example of one...

Here are some pics of it (bed had been Rhino lined since)

http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf01353yp.jpg

http://img54.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf01327hl.jpg

Kris

[LVCamaro]

That blows! Sorry to hear, Kris.

SS

[awr68]

Man Kris, that is bad news and a very bad way to end the day/week!! Hopefully they only took it for a short joy ride and left it on a side road or parking lot...that's what they did to my wife's uncle's truck...I beleive they drove it a wopping 5 miles and stole the ask tray of all things!!

Keep us up to date with the details!! Oh, and it is a fine example of that body style...I've always liked them! Probably because I was in high school when they used to do the IROC treatment to them...I still like that look!! :thumbsup:

[Kris Horton]

Thanks guys. The things that bum me out about this situation the most are the memories I have with that car and the plans my dad had for it.

I had pretty much given it to him after I bought my Mustang and he loved it to death. He was planning on fixing up some rough spots on it like the carpet, seats, and then eventually installing the Baer brakes I got for it a while back.

Kris

[camcojb]

Sucks Kris. I've had a car stolen myself, while we were at the hospital having my first child! Hopefully there'll be a happy ending.


Jody

[evilzee28]

Thats' really crap news. Coulda been worse though, it might have been your Chevelle!!!!! Hopefully they'll run outta gas & just dump it, lets hope they don't strip the wheels etc from it. :(

[Blown353]

Ouch, that sucks! I know the feeling. While none of my cars have been stolen, my mom had her 86 Cutlass stolen twice; once from work and once from our driveway. My Dad also had his mint and somewhat modded '87 Elky stolen out of our same driveway.

You can thank GM for their POS 80's steering columns; once in the car I can bust one and start the car and be gone in less than 10 seconds. All I need is a slotted screwdriver and a ball peen hammer-- no joke. A friend who works undercover car theft on the local PD showed me the technique. It's really sad just how poorly GM vehicles of that vintage deter theft, they almost steal themselves.

Hopefully they recover it intact and unmolested. My mom's car was recovered both times, each time the only damage being the steering column, a busted window, and an empty tank of gas. My Dad's elky wasn't so fortunate, it actually turned up in a body shop 4 years later; a guy took it in to be painted then never paid the bill. Shop put a mechanic's lien on it and that's when it was found... complete with metal flake green paint, gold wire wheels and whitewalls.

Sucks Kris. I've had a car stolen myself, while we were at the hospital having my first child! Hopefully there'll be a happy ending.


Jody

OMG... how bad is that?

[rockdogz]

Sorry to hear that Kris. :eek: .. I hope they find it (and the pieces of #^$%^# who did it too!)

[Rick Dorion]

Sorry for the loss. It sure is a feeling of being violated. Hope it turns out well. I remember going to my garage one saturday and finding it empty :(.

[Derek69SS]

That sucks Kris. There's nothing worse than a theif. :mad:

[XcYZ]

Sorry Kris. That bites.

I'll buy you a round at SEMA. :)

[Autokraft]

Wow! When I first started reading your post, I thought "Not the Chevelle!"

Sure hope you get it back and its in one piece.Good luck Kris.

Kurt

[Payton King]

Nothing would make me happier than catching someone trying to steal my car or anything else of mine for that matter. I had a battery stolen out of my 69 while it was sitting in the parking lot of my office. I often have fantasies about walking out the door while the guy was under the hood....I would probably still have him locked in the trunk only to let him out for me to beat his @## and then I would put him back in.

[Chuck Byram]

Kris,
I had the same thing happen to me a few years back; I'll never forget the feeling. I hope the cops track down your car (and the perps). When my current project is closer to completion, I'm investing in a Lojack.
Chuck

[BC69]

Wow, sorry man! At least it wasnt the Mustang, but it seems like the sentimental value of the Camino is about the same! Good luck man!

Tim

[RussMS]

Terrible news Kris. Hope they find the car soon. Good Luck to ya.

[MaxHarvard]

Sorry to hear that Kris, atleast you know the guy wont get far in it! 3 gallons with a V8 wont get him far!

Good luck finding it :)

[mdprovee]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I experienced the same thing. Myself, mom, dad, and brother went to a Raiders game and when we came out the car was gone. Sick feeling. Good luck with the recovery.

[Stuart Adams]

That sucks. Nothing worse than a thief. Seems like the criminals have all the rights these days. If you knew you would have your hands sawed off on the spot if caught stealing it would stop immediately, these guys are cowards. Let me be in charge just one day.

Hope they find the body, I'm with Scott - buy ya a beer.

[Edward Bednar]

Sorry to hear that Kris. I can really relate as it has happened to me twice. My first car was stolen and I swore I'd never pour my heart and soul into a car again. Well twenty five years later I poured my heart and soul into another and they stole that. I got neither back. I just hope that the three gallons may have left them stranded and you'll get it back. It's very disheartening but I had to come to the conclusion you can't let the bastards get you down and you can't let them steal the joy or the memories. Ed

[T Bell]

Sorry to hear about your car. I thought it was the Chevelle as well. Whip them with a 5/8" chain.

[Stuart Adams]

They scooped up the back end, winched it on the flatbed, and drove off. High tech these days. No driving, hotwiring, etc. Especially in a vacant parking lot. You've all seen those flatbed tow trucks, that is what they use. Takes less thn one minute and real quiet.

Sorry, but the locked gas cap and 3 gallons don't mean boo to these guys.

Let me be in charge for one day will ya!!

[T Bell]

I was kinda hoping they were joy riders that when they ran out of gas just ditched the car. But if the flatbed was the case........you are working with professionals.

[Stuart Adams]

I have no idea if that was the case, but many cop friends of mine say that happens more than not. Kris, hope the car is found with the body intact, think positive, I am.

[61Bubbletop]

Sorry to hear Kris...That is a real eye-opener for all of us.

[Kris Horton]

Hey thanks guys. I'll take you guys up on the rounds at SEMA. Normally I don't drink, but I might make an exception if it's in mourning my loss.

The car meant a lot to me as I drove it for so many years, had a lot of fun in it, and it was my first engine swap which I did with my dad. The Mustang would probably not have been as sad of a loss, just a much more expensive one.

There were no signs of broken glass anywhere or tire marks (it wasn't hard to burn out in that car) so the flatbed thing isn't too unlikely now that you mention it. Man...this sucks. It's starting to set in that there's a possibility I won't ever see it again or that when I do, I'll wish I hadn't.
:(

Kris

[XcYZ]

Hey thanks guys. I'll take you guys up on the rounds at SEMA. Normally I don't drink, but I might make an exception if it's in mourning my loss.

No worries, Kris. I'll buy you a Dew - the industry standard fluid supplement of computer dudes. lol

Again, sorry it happened. :mad:

[Smack_talker]

Sorry to hear about your car. I want to do Lojack in any car I want back. :(

[Stuart Adams]

I'm with Jeff. My detective friends say your car (especially old muscle cars) are NEVER safe. There is nothing you can do to prevent this (alarms, etc) if the professionals get involved. Just a matter of being at the wrong place, wrong time. Sucks.

Give me the eyeball puller please!!!!

[4mm]

I still remember the feeling I had 25yrs ago! I traded in the car my parents worked hard to give to me for my 15th birthday for a 73 Trans am 455sd. It was stolen one month later from the parking lot I worked at. Found it three days later stripped to the shell on the railroad tracks.
Hope you find yours intact.

Hmm, how much are those 73 455sd's going for today? :mad:

[Ummgawa]

Kill all the Thieves and let God sort em out... :mad:

Sorry for the loss, man, I know it's like losing a friend.

[tndude]

Sorry dude! :(

[Diognes56]

Sorry to hear man :( , I hope they find the guys so you can take any damage to the car out of their hides :mad: .

David

[907rs]

Sorry to hear it, Kris. Hope it gets back to you in one piece.

[rockdogz]

Hmm, now that I think about it, isn't this how all the Overhaulin episodes start out?? If only...

[67Sally]

Damn. Sorry to hear about this Kris.
W.

[Huxsol81]

Kris,
that serously SUCKS! I still have the cement I was mixing for a previous members shoes, Im game for a road trip :thumbsup:

hope they catch the mofo that stole your car.

[clill]

Nicely restored auto 73 SD's are 50-75K. Expect to pay about 100K if you can find a owner that will sell a 4 spd 73 SD. I have been looking for a 4 speed but can't even find one seller.

[race-rodz]

Hmm, now that I think about it, isn't this how all the Overhaulin episodes start out?? If only...


IF you get overhauled...make sure to kick that guy in the nuts...foose too.... then cop a feel of the new co-hostess.



i always feel a car is just a car, its the memories and time spent that make the whole deal worthwhile. haveing the car to cruise around in as a sign of the accomplishments is what its all about. i feel for ya...sorry about the loss

[ProdigyCustoms]

Great news. Just got a call from Kris, they found the car. Bad news is it is partially striped, and has some damage. Kris has not seen it yet, but plans to go to the impound yard in the morning. At least they found it and they are insured.

[BC69]

Great news!!! Regardless of it being stripped, well hopefully not too badly, at least he has it back.

Good luck with it all Kris.

Tim