Stolen '28 Essex - SoCal

[Deleted User]

Rich Smithen's '28 Essex 2 door sedan S/N 900390 (rear shackle only) has been reported stolen to the LA County Sheriff. Rich writes "The best way to ID my car is by its vehicle number stamped into the right rear spring shackle. Number 900390. The fire wall has been modified so the ID tag was removed. A piece of a Wall Mart wheel barrow was welded in so that a Chev 350 engine could be fitted into the engine compartment. What stands out is that the wheel barrow is a bright green. Probably most noticeable color can be seen on the inside of the car. If this car is located, please do not contact this person, just call 9-1-1 and report the car as a stolen car thru the LA Sheriff Dept. So keep your eye open at car shows or for sale papers for a 1928 Essex two door sedan, rat rodded. It has a Ford 9 inch rearend, Lowered Essex front axel with Chev disk brakes. I did have a new Chev crate engine with rebuilt 350- transmission. New Edelbrock intake, with 650 carb and chrome air cleaner. Most likely painted primer black. Please pass the information to any and all HET members. Many thanks to our members."

You may contact Rich at hetjonme2@wildblue.net, drop the "het"

Lee ODell

Richard, sorry to hear about your car being stolen. Was the engine and trans in the car? Hope it is found and returned.



Lee

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your comments. I have just finished talking with the officer. We can only hope that we get the car back. Must wait and see what happens. I have searched any and all sites with rat rods and now asking all of you members to keep an eye out for a 1928 Essex two door sedan, that might come up for sale as a rat rod. Just call 9-1-1 and report to the local PD and let them call L.A. County Sheriff Department for confirmation. If there is a question, then let the local PD contact me or you can e-mail me. (jonme2@wildblue.net) Many thanks Rich Smithen

[Deleted User]

Found thru the Forum! Rich advises that not only was the engine & trans located, someone saw this note about the Essex & realized it was (unwittingly) in their custody. Monday will find the Essex on its way back to its rightful home!

Hudman51.:)

CASE CLOSED

VicTor Z

Thank You Jon for posting this great Info.

essexcoupe3131

Hi Richard, nice to hear that the car is back with the rightfull owner



Mike

Lee ODell

Rich along with Jon Cronk picked me up at 6:30 this morning to go get his Essex in Riverside about 75 mile away. Traffic was unusually light and made record time getting there. Stopped at IHOP for breakfast before our exercise began. We were meet by two law men when we arrived to verify the Essex belonged to Rich. We loaded up the old girl and was back at my home by lunch time. Rich should have her in to bed by now. Rich live about 200 miles from me.



The whole story about the theft and recovery is interesting and I asked Rich if he would tell it in the WTN. So hopefully were can read about it in a future issue.



We had a good trip but the story is not over yeat. Some parts to be returned, will be up to a judge since someone else has made a claim on them.



Have a good day. It has been for Rich. Lee

Lee ODell

Lee O'Dell wrote:

Rich along with Jon Cronk picked me up at 6:30 this morning to go get his Essex in Riverside about 75 mile away. Traffic was unusually light and made record time getting there. Stopped at IHOP for breakfast before our exercise began. We were meet by two law men when we arrived to verify the Essex belonged to Rich. We loaded up the old girl and was back at my home by lunch time. Rich should have her in to bed by now. Rich live about 200 miles from me.



The whole story about the theft and recovery is interesting and I asked Rich if he would tell it in the WTN. So hopefully were can read about it in a future issue.



We had a good trip but the story is not over yeat. Some parts to be returned, will be up to a judge since someone else has made a claim on them.



Have a good day. It has been for Rich. Lee

Forgot to mention that Jon graciously let Rich spend Sunday night at his home. And after leaving my home Rich still had about another 70 miles to drop Jon back home, before returning to his home.



Lee

essexcoupe3131

That says a lot about the camaraderie of the boys and there toys

it real nice when people extend there friendship to help out fellow human beings

There's a nice feel about this all, in a time of anxiety and frustration



Mike

[Deleted User]

A big thank you to everyone who helped me get my 1928 Essex back. Some points that I would like to reinterate about what you should do and have in your possion.

1. Keep records, take pictures, make notes and keep them where you can get them for such a event as a thief of your vehicle.

2. I took all the information to the PD when reporting my car stolen. Do not rely on your memory. Also the memory of the investigator is not geared to old cars and what they look like. To them all old cars are Model A Fords. Case in point. The investigator said that they had located my car. When we got to the impound lot, we found a late 30's Dodge four door sedan that was heavyly rusted. Mine is a two door sedan with most of the orginal paint still intact. Plus minor modifications to the fire wall. Pictures helped ID my car.



And the older you get the more that you forget. Suttle changes or special detail helps the investigators locate and identify your property.



And now we await to go to trial and I will pursue avenue as it is the right thing to do.



Rich Smithen