VW Bus stolen 35 years ago returned in mint condition... to Allstate
In 1974, this 1965 Volkswagen Type 2 (a.k.a. 'Bus') was stolen from Washington State. Fast-forward to October 19 of this year and custom agents at the Port of Los Angeles open up a container bound for Europe only to rediscover said van. Somehow, the Bus's VIN was still in the LAPD's stolen vehicle database. Guess which 1965 Type 2 is no longer headed for Europe?
Here's where it gets a little bit foggy, a little bit weird. According to the Los Angeles Times, the cops and the feds can't find the original owner. And the gentleman that restored the thirteen-window Bus to such pristine condition and who was planning on shipping said Bus back to the fatherland is also a victim of the theft – meaning he's off the hook, but out of money. Because way back in 1974, Allstate ("You're in good hands") Insurance paid the then owner $2,500 for the stolen Volkswagen. Which means that Allstate is winding up with the Bus.
Update: The original owner has been located! Her name is Michelle Squires and yes, she would like her Bus back. The reason that she couldn't be located at first is because her last name used to be Carlson. Says Squires, "I don't know if I could afford it because the restored bus is supposed to be around $25,000 now, but I would like the opportunity to talk to Allstate to see if I could get it back." While we think it would be a stellar PR coup for Allstate, Squires should probably prepare to stay separated from her van.
[Source: Los Angeles Times | Image: Department of Homeland Security]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dukeisduke 5:45PM (11/09/2009)
If they can't find the original owner, I'd say put the thing up for auction, and give the proceeds to charity.
They paid $2500 for a nine-year-old VW Bus, back in 1974? If I'd been that owner, I'd have been pleased with that settlement.
Reply
83gtragtop 5:51PM (11/09/2009)
My thoughts exactly.
Jim in Tampa 6:13PM (11/09/2009)
I have to agree that Allstate does legally own the vehicle. But from a PR standpoint, I think that it would be a good idea to auction it off to the highest bidder and then putting any money returned over the $2500 into the Allstate Foundation for charities in Washington.
Upthewazzu 6:19PM (11/09/2009)
The former owner currently lives in Spokane, WA. She has been quoted as saying she would love to have the van back, but doesn't think that Allstate would give it back to her since she received a payout when it was stolen.
Upthewazzu 6:21PM (11/09/2009)
AH-HA!
Here is the article about the lady that owned the van:
http://www.krem.com/home/Stolen-VW-bus-shows-up-in-seaport-container-35-years-later-69302962.html
Upthewazzu 6:30PM (11/09/2009)
Whoops, posted the wrong article, here is the more detailed one:
http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=11466484
9600baud 5:59PM (11/09/2009)
Sucks for the current owner who probably paid money and put in work time AND more more money to restore it....
Reply
cowboy bob 7:25PM (11/09/2009)
Yes it does. This is one of those things where you say-" there is no justice". The law will say you can sue the person/business where you bought it, but what do you think your chances are to get your investment back really are. This is why people climb up a church steeple and shoot eleven people
Bill Siuru 6:05PM (11/09/2009)
I sure the current owner would be happy to pay Allstate $2,500 rather than lose everything.
Reply
RadicalxEdward 6:07PM (11/09/2009)
lol if i were the old owner i'd be like hey all-state, i'll give you my $2,500 back for the bus. lol i love these things i want one so bad.
Reply
JIMBO 6:28PM (11/09/2009)
Can't find the original owner ? I say BS !
You mean to tell me with all of the sophisticated equipment here in the 21st. Century they can't locate this fellow ? Wow ! I'm shocked , SHOCKED !
Reply
Galley 6:20PM (11/09/2009)
Man, I would give my left nut for a VW Bus like that.
Reply
Wally 7:23AM (11/10/2009)
Kinda did already.....got one of them Splitties out in the garage being restored right now.
I just hait to see the last owner/restorer lose his investment, or even the last purchaser either.
Wally 7:25AM (11/10/2009)
Kinda did already.....got one of them Splitties out in the garage being restored right now.
I just hait to see the last owner/restorer lose his investment, or even the last purchaser either.
Mark 6:21PM (11/09/2009)
http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=11466484
It looks as if they've found the original owner.
Reply
Mark 6:40PM (11/09/2009)
I appear to be a regular Carl Bernstein.
Sprancer 6:21PM (11/09/2009)
Too bad is wasn't found while Cash For Clunkers was available. Allstate could have traded it in and the damn death trap would have been sent to the crusher where it belongs.
Reply
Polly Prissy Pants 6:37PM (11/09/2009)
A friend in high school had one of these and even at the age of 16 I recognized we were taking our lives in our hands every time we put that thing on the road. I would dearly love to see a high speed offset head-on crash test between one of these and a new Suburban. I bet that bus would crush like a beer can off your forehead.
ytilanigiroon 6:43PM (11/09/2009)
I can only assume that your post was made in jest, Sprancer...
If not, you're bat-shit crazy.
Rich 12:20PM (11/10/2009)
I would dearly love to see a high speed offset head-on crash test between one of these and a new Smart.
The Bus isn't the deathtrap -- the Suburban is.