And now, my bestus Z friends, in the 'If it's too good to be true, it probably is' category.....As many of you know, I have been shopping for a race car for a bit--something a bit more serious than my street projects. I have shopped through quite a few vehicles in various stages of sorting--including several from these forums. Price really wasn't an issue, as quality of preparation speaks for itself. I shopped through everything from practically free cars to $15,000 tube-frame GT2 cars and everything in between. A couple weeks ago, a GT2 tub popped up on the list for a great price. I called the guy immediately and--again as many of you know--I bought it. It had all the qualities I was looking for: Proven race record, tech history, 'overboard' cage, well-worked suspension, minimal rust..... I drove 700 miles each way for it this past weekend. It was everything I expected. A bit more rust than advertised, but that is to be expected. And dealing with the PO was also very refreshing. I buy a lot of $100 Z's and ZX's for stripping and the individuals I purchase these type of cars from often take a bit of 'flexibility'--if you know what I mean. This was so much different: Nice mature gentleman, lives in a decent house, obviously knows a bit about racing and Z's, several post-graduate degrees--you get the picture. I remember thinking to myself how nice it was to be dealing with someone with clear objectives. Here is where things head South. If you want to go to bed with a nice smile on your face, log out now.

When I pick up the car, the PO is unable to produce the log book. Hmmm. Suddenly the car's value plummets about 50%. Seems the now-previous-previous-owner has it. He will mail it to me. Right on.

Tuesday the phone rings. PO wants the car back. "Am I going to be (that direction) anytime soon?" Seems he promised to sell it back to the PPO (yes the guy with the log book) and PPO is a bit miffed. "Gonna report it stolen to the SCCA." (Yes, Keith, this is the guy I e-mailed you about).

Gotta love this community!

steve77

So what are you going to do about it?

Have you contacted the PPO, tell him you will sell it back to him for what you paid, swipe a few nice bits, then be done with it. Would be a shame to work on a car which you then ended up with a criminal record over, assuming you dont already have a criminal record . Bit of a bugger, and sounds like a wasted trip. Just out of curiosity, did the PO ever actually own the car?

Cheers Chris

Sorry to hear that. Can think of a few things I would like to say:tapemouth .

On the brite side. Learn as much from this car as you can. Take a lot of pictures & measurements. You might race against this car someday and the info could be usefull.

Hmm......

Did you get a bill of sale or title to the car when you bought it?

I take it the guy you bought it from never raced it, since he had no logbook....

If you got a bill of sale or the title to the car when you bought it, or the PO has a bill of sale for when he bought it, the PPO doesn't have any claim to the car.....

If you have a bill of sale/title, you should be able to get a logbook re-issued for the car without too much trouble.

If the PPO tries to claim the car stolen, the only thing that might happen is the guy caught in the middle of all this, is the one who's going to have the legal problems, although, if it goes far enough, the car might be impounded until it all gets sorted out.

Most race cars have no title anymore, as many are built from salvage cars, so the logbook serves as a title as far as the SCCA is concerned. Don't know how that would stand up in court as to proof of ownership though.....

Sounds like a mess to me... hope you get it sorted out.

is if you did fight it and Mr Law man decides that the PO had no right to sell the car and that the car rightfully belongs to the PPO. You would then be out any money you put into it.

Zvoiture,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I suggest returning the car (with transportation charge one way) for return of purchase price. Then move on in your search for quality car.

Follow this link to view a really well built L-28 300zx (late style) GT2 racer. This bad boy is soooooo sweet! It's pricey, but you said money was not the determining factor.

http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1062560599/1062560599ss.htm

best wishes and Merry Christmas,

Pancho

As I recall, the guy you bought the tub from was asking $750 for it. Not a bad price, all said and done. When he offered it to me, if the tub was a few thousand miles closer to me, I would have picked it up myself, log book or not.

Oh yes! It was a wonderful price! If I could keep the car, I wouldn't quibble too much about the log book.

steve77

$750!!!! For that price I'd keep it, providing there is a receipt. No legal advice here but IMHO if you have paid for it and believe that the seller had title then stuff em.

If the going gets too rough you can always do some sort of deal later, for $750 it is hard to see that anyone is going to take legal proceedings here.

In the meantime you can look for another, can't have too many of them.

I get the distinct impression a couple of you think I should keep the car despite it not having a logbook. That is not an option. Unfortunately, keeping it or not is not one of my choices. I can not opt to keep the car and forego the logbook! I can't keep the car! The person who sold it to me has welched on the deal and unless I want to get an attorney involved and cause all kinds of ugliness and personal expenditure, he is coming to pick it up on Monday.

Still shopping...

steve77

Originally posted by Zvoiture

..... And dealing with the PO was also very refreshing. I buy a lot of $100 Z's and ZX's for stripping and the individuals I purchase these type of cars from often take a bit of 'flexibility'--if you know what I mean. This was so much different: Nice mature gentleman, lives in a decent house, obviously knows a bit about racing and Z's, several post-graduate degrees--you get the picture. I remember thinking to myself how nice it was to be dealing with someone with clear objectives............

First of all, I'm sorry that your deal didn't turn out well.

Second of all, it goes to show all that having a "decent house, obviously knows a bit about racing and Z's, several post-graduate degrees" doesn't guarentee that said person has any morals......, to sell a car to one person that was promised to another, an leave the buyer without title or logbook borders on criminal . Sounds to me like he is your standard issue dirtbag no matter where he lives or what level of education he claims to have reached.

Caveat Emptor!

At least take the measurements, look at trinkets, and borrow a few cool bits from it to make it all worth your while. Your time is valuab;e

Man, what I wouldn't give to just drop all four corners off! Coil-overs AND fibreglas!!! He might notice, though!!

steve77