14 mile 78 Pace Car stolen
12-06-2011, 05:37 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
14 mile 78 Pace Car stolen
I found this to be an interesting, if somewhat sad, story.
I got a call from a customer of mine the other day. They're a former Chevrolet dealer, that lost their franchise, when the "New Chevrolet" was formed 2 years ago.
This dealer still had their 78 Pace Car. It has been sitting on their showroom floor, with 14 original miles on it, since they got it in 78.
A few nights ago, someone broke into the dealership and stole the Pace Car. In the process of getting it out of the showroom, they backed into a wall, damaging the Corvette and some vintage Chevrolet showroom displays. Then they managed to hit a 2003 Corvette that was also in the showroom, damaging the Pace Car further and damaging the 2003.
Since the car had been sitting since 78, it only had about a gallon of 1978 gas in it, and the brake caliper seals were shot. The thief (or thieves) got about a mile in the car, before it refused to go any further, on the ancient gas that was in the tank.
The dealer got the car back, but it now it has a damaged rear bumper, damaged front fender, and burnt carpet, where one of the extra batteries the thieves brought, leaked on the carpet. Oh, and it now has 15.1 miles on it.
They do have the car back, but I don't know if I would say this story has a happy ending or not! So far, they haven't caught the thief.
I got a call from a customer of mine the other day. They're a former Chevrolet dealer, that lost their franchise, when the "New Chevrolet" was formed 2 years ago.
This dealer still had their 78 Pace Car. It has been sitting on their showroom floor, with 14 original miles on it, since they got it in 78.
A few nights ago, someone broke into the dealership and stole the Pace Car. In the process of getting it out of the showroom, they backed into a wall, damaging the Corvette and some vintage Chevrolet showroom displays. Then they managed to hit a 2003 Corvette that was also in the showroom, damaging the Pace Car further and damaging the 2003.
Since the car had been sitting since 78, it only had about a gallon of 1978 gas in it, and the brake caliper seals were shot. The thief (or thieves) got about a mile in the car, before it refused to go any further, on the ancient gas that was in the tank.
The dealer got the car back, but it now it has a damaged rear bumper, damaged front fender, and burnt carpet, where one of the extra batteries the thieves brought, leaked on the carpet. Oh, and it now has 15.1 miles on it.
They do have the car back, but I don't know if I would say this story has a happy ending or not! So far, they haven't caught the thief.
12-06-2011, 05:39 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
That's definitely a sad story 
12-06-2011, 08:02 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
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I found this to be an interesting, if somewhat sad, story.
I got a call from a customer of mine the other day. They're a former Chevrolet dealer, that lost their franchise, when the "New Chevrolet" was formed 2 years ago.
This dealer still had their 78 Pace Car. It has been sitting on their showroom floor, with 14 original miles on it, since they got it in 78.
A few nights ago, someone broke into the dealership and stole the Pace Car. In the process of getting it out of the showroom, they backed into a wall, damaging the Corvette and some vintage Chevrolet showroom displays. Then they managed to hit a 2003 Corvette that was also in the showroom, damaging the Pace Car further and damaging the 2003.
Since the car had been sitting since 78, it only had about a gallon of 1978 gas in it, and the brake caliper seals were shot. The thief (or thieves) got about a mile in the car, before it refused to go any further, on the ancient gas that was in the tank.
The dealer got the car back, but it now it has a damaged rear bumper, damaged front fender, and burnt carpet, where one of the extra batteries the thieves brought, leaked on the carpet. Oh, and it now has 15.1 miles on it.
They do have the car back, but I don't know if I would say this story has a happy ending or not! So far, they haven't caught the thief.
I got a call from a customer of mine the other day. They're a former Chevrolet dealer, that lost their franchise, when the "New Chevrolet" was formed 2 years ago.
This dealer still had their 78 Pace Car. It has been sitting on their showroom floor, with 14 original miles on it, since they got it in 78.
A few nights ago, someone broke into the dealership and stole the Pace Car. In the process of getting it out of the showroom, they backed into a wall, damaging the Corvette and some vintage Chevrolet showroom displays. Then they managed to hit a 2003 Corvette that was also in the showroom, damaging the Pace Car further and damaging the 2003.
Since the car had been sitting since 78, it only had about a gallon of 1978 gas in it, and the brake caliper seals were shot. The thief (or thieves) got about a mile in the car, before it refused to go any further, on the ancient gas that was in the tank.
The dealer got the car back, but it now it has a damaged rear bumper, damaged front fender, and burnt carpet, where one of the extra batteries the thieves brought, leaked on the carpet. Oh, and it now has 15.1 miles on it.
They do have the car back, but I don't know if I would say this story has a happy ending or not! So far, they haven't caught the thief.
1.) The thief is obviously very, very stupid.
2.) The thief is obviously extremely incompetent.
3.) The thief had a very poorly thought out plan, which failed miserably.
4.) The thief, somehow, didn't get caught.
Gentlemen, I think we may be dealing with either a U.S Senator, or Representative.
Scott
12-06-2011, 08:05 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Hmmm, I 'm no detective, but let's take a good look at the facts of the case, and see if we can come up with a list of suspects.
1.) The thief is obviously very, very stupid.
2.) The thief is obviously extremely incompetent.
3.) The thief had a very poorly thought out plan, which failed miserably.
4.) The thief, somehow, didn't get caught.
Gentlemen, I think we may be dealing with either a U.S Senator, or Representative.
Scott
1.) The thief is obviously very, very stupid.
2.) The thief is obviously extremely incompetent.
3.) The thief had a very poorly thought out plan, which failed miserably.
4.) The thief, somehow, didn't get caught.
Gentlemen, I think we may be dealing with either a U.S Senator, or Representative.
Scott
12-06-2011, 08:34 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
12-06-2011, 11:00 PM
#11
Race Director
Thread Starter
When I last spoke to them, I wasn't aware they caught the creep. Glad to hear it, but if he gets more than a slap on the wrist for auto theft, I'd be surprised.
They called my office this afternoon, but I was out all day. I have to call them back in the morning.
I agree, and the dealership and the people there, are great too. That place really is a trip back in time.
I feel for them. They got hosed by Obama and the New Chevrolet, but still managed to stay in business, they didn't deserve this too.
They called my office this afternoon, but I was out all day. I have to call them back in the morning.
I feel for them. They got hosed by Obama and the New Chevrolet, but still managed to stay in business, they didn't deserve this too.
12-07-2011, 09:16 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
12-07-2011, 05:17 PM
#14
Team Owner
Well, since the thief was caught, he must have been an ex-Governor from Illinois. 
12-07-2011, 05:57 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
how did that car start with 33 year old gas? ive had it go bad in less than a year. maybe they brought some fresh gas.
12-07-2011, 09:15 PM
#17
Race Director
....actually, this probably makes it the "rarest" '78 Pace Car in existence. I mean, I'll bet not one other one has this low of mileage with this kind of damage.
...I know, I know-not the kind of "rare" anyone would want.
....the damage can always be repaired.
...I know, I know-not the kind of "rare" anyone would want.
....the damage can always be repaired.
12-07-2011, 10:29 PM
#19
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Hmmm, I 'm no detective, but let's take a good look at the facts of the case, and see if we can come up with a list of suspects.
1.) The thief is obviously very, very stupid.
2.) The thief is obviously extremely incompetent.
3.) The thief had a very poorly thought out plan, which failed miserably.
4.) The thief, somehow, didn't get caught.
Gentlemen, I think we may be dealing with either a U.S Senator, or Representative.
Scott
1.) The thief is obviously very, very stupid.
2.) The thief is obviously extremely incompetent.
3.) The thief had a very poorly thought out plan, which failed miserably.
4.) The thief, somehow, didn't get caught.
Gentlemen, I think we may be dealing with either a U.S Senator, or Representative.
Scott
12-07-2011, 11:27 PM
#20
Now that it needs body work and is no longer "show room new" maybe it'll get put on the road and actually used.