Stolen in Belgium

[chrisfell]

This is a repeat of a message posted by the JDC.

Stolen E-Type
I've been asked to post details of an E-Type that was stolen in Belgium at the weekend. It's a 1968 Roadster - Reg FND 320F.
It broke down (no electrics) about 12 kms from Mons (on the E42 westbound) at about 20:00 on Friday 27th May. The owner stayed with it until approx 22:15 and then left to find help. When he returned it had gone.
It doesn't look like it's been removed by the authorities so it's assumed stolen.

[ralphr1780]

Chris, some more details about the car could certainly help in case spotted in whole or parts: body/interior colours, FHC of OTS, body/engine/gearbox nrs, xkedata registered, particulars, ..., the registration plate is from which country (FND320F is not Belgian standard).

[chrisfell]

British registered. Currently (before the theft) primrose yellow. Roadster = OTS.

No further details at this stage.

[andrewh]

Its registered and taxed currently here in the UK and is yellow according to DVLA site. Thats a shame, but I wouldn't mind betting its been taken somewhere but the authorities

[Red Kite]

Details have been put on XKE data 1E17194

http://www.xkedata.com/cars/detail/?car=1E17194

[jellypig]

Photo on Twitter if that helps.

[288gto]

This is the very reason I get so concerned about dubious E bay listings for "Vin tag and Heritage Certificate" identity packages that appear every so often and have been highlighted in posts on here.
I really hope the unfortunate owner gets his car back safely.

Simon

[Heuer]

Kind of shows immobilisers are pretty useless, unfortunately. Odd that it would be removed though as only the Police can authorise the removal of broken down vehicles on Autoroutes.

[Mark Gordon]

So the thieves broke the law by not getting police authorization to steal the car?

[cactusman]

Hope it comes back although I am not optimistic. Do the motorways not have cameras in Belgium. Might be worth asking the plod there to look?

[andrewh]

I cannot believe this car can just disappear. I feel sure if this is put out on Piston Heads etc, someone will have seen it. Only problem if it went in a covered trailer. I would be posting the gearbox serial number and the diff number off the heritage certificate on XKEData as well as the body number.

[ralphr1780]

Very sad story. Given the nr of road cameras around, hopefully the police would be able to trace the flatbed or truck which did the pick-up.
In fact no need for any police authorization to lift a broken car on the highways here.

[Heuer]

Sorry, I was thinking France!

[PeterCrespin]

I cannot believe this car can just disappear.

I can, all you need is a shed or a tarpaulin.

Four ID plate rivets drilled, plus two for the body tag and the tub is anyone's. Five minutes with a cordless grinder and so are the frames and engine/gearbox. We've all been to autojumbles and never asked where the gearbox or long block came from - why would we? Somebody is driving around in my 69 OTS and my 66 FHC stolen this time four years ago.

What's more, if someone does see it, don't post the info here, PM the original poster so that a warrant can be obtained and search made without warning. Mine had gone by the time the police got their overnight warrant after a sighting.

[Alty Ian]

I just bought my tracker after seeing this, had been planning to anyway.

[Heuer]

Beginning to sound like a good idea Ian. Let us know how you get on, what make and how it works. Make sure you buy one with both GPS and RF tracking because the former can be easily jammed or weakened in a metal enclosure (van, container, garage etc).

[andrewh]

it sends a shiver down ones spine. Just a ghastly thing to happen, especially when these cars mean so much to us all. I would always over insure the car then at least you have a genuine chance of getting another really cracking example if the worst happens. I cannot see a post on Piston Heads as yet. Has the owner done anything about that?

[Alty Ian]

Beginning to sound like a good idea Ian. Let us know how you get on, what make and how it works. Make sure you buy one with both GPS and RF tracking because the former can be easily jammed or weakened in a metal enclosure (van, container, garage etc).

Yes I have done, will send you a PM.

[richard btype]

If stolen it would certainly seem to be an opportunist incident.

Even crooks and the most unpleasant toads in the universe can have a lucky day - travelling along in their empty low loader, car left with no keeper would take 5 mins maximum for an experienced operator to drag the car onto the back and be away.

If someone were to question would be easy to make up a story 'been called out to recover' or pretend you don't understand the language? Innocent people trust innocent behaviour but the opportunist thinks lucky day!

Good luck however for a positive outcome.

[cactusman]

We must all be mindful of security both at home and when out and about. Extra locks. Trackers. do what ever you think necessary. The cars original locks are laughably easy to bypass so do not rely on them under any circumstances. It is the height of the show season when many of us take our pride and joy out to raise money for charities and allow the general public to see and maybe sit in a legend. 99.99 % will be Joe public but sadly cars have been stolen at shows so make sure your treasure is secure when at a show and you are else where admiring other cars or sampling the burgers! E types are now worth large sums and shows provide the would be thief a cornucopia to choose from.