Found an abandoned Volvo

Gomer Einstein · 2005-06-09T00:13:43+00:00

Been making monthly stops at a business for a year and a half, noticedthis clean, '86 760 Turbo Intercooled wagon always parked there, andjust figured it belonged to one of the employees. Then it occured to me it never seemed to move, and on my last stop Iasked an employee about the car. I was told that someone ababdoned it there more than a year ago. It'sstill unlocked, with some little kids' toys and stuff in it--looked likea mom's car. They had called the cops about it a couple of times, but there itstill sits. I took out the registration and called 411 to get a phone numbercorresponding to the name, and was told it's unlisted; the address isabout 50 miles away. The car has no rust or dents, every option, and 203k miles. Obviously nobody cares about the car, and I want it, preferably forlittle or nothing. A car dealer friend of mine said the most sensible thing to do wouldbe to just go to the owner's residence (if they still live there) andtry to get the key, title, etc,. and find out the story on the car,what's wrong with it, etc. Which makes sense, BUT: Maybe they're under the assumption that it's been towed and they arenow obligated for a bunch of fees for storage, towing, etc. But that's not the case: The business owner has just let it sitthere, all this time. And I'm sure it will continue to, indefinitely. I'd like suggestions on the optimal way for me to procure this car,possibly getting it for nothing, without making a mis-step and botchingthe whole thing.

Jun 09, 2005 27 Replies

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Gomer Einstein 21 years ago

I neglected to mention that my 14 year old boy likes Volvo Wagons (as do I) and that's what piqued my curiousity at seeing one abandoned. It was going to be a father-son project to resurrect it. Any, I composed a letter and will send it registered; that's probably the easiest and most sensible way to start with. Will be interesting to see if I hear from her...(dramatic pause)...if she still walks among the living (insert scary music here). After that we'll probably try a good ol' fashioned seance. (sp?) Seriously, I guess with a registered letter, only SHE can sign for it. I gave my P.O. box # and my cell phone number, but it would be a long-distance call for her. But if she's that destitute, she might take the $150 I offered her. I'll keep you posted.

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Gomer Einstein 21 years ago

Yeah, but all along I've been EXTREMELY apprehensive about involving the police, such as simply having a cop take me out to show me where they live ("What the hell you doing bringing the cops out here, $%*@&!!).

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James Sweet 21 years ago

Why? Most cops are pretty benign unless you're doing something wrong.

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James Goforth 21 years ago

"Why? Most cops are pretty benign unless you're doing something wrong."

That's exactly right. But what if they ARE doing something wrong? Bye-bye car. They could have a meth lab out there for all I know. They don't seem to be the most normal people in the world to begin with.

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Gary Heston 21 years ago

That's why it would be best to make the initial contact via mail.

Gary

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James Sweet 21 years ago

Well all the more reason to get cops out there I suppose.

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Michael Pardee 21 years ago

Are you sure you want the car they abandoned?

Mike

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Hamish Alker-Jones 21 years ago

On 18/6/05 12:59 AM, in reference to snipped-for-privacy@storefull-3278.bay.webtv.net, going by the name of "James Goforth" wrote the following:

You still talking about cops?

Hammo

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