When San Mateo, California police sergeant (and avid Mustang enthusiast), Tim Sullivan spotted a sweet ’68 GT500. When he found himself behind the car, his curiosity got the best of him and he ran its registration. Needless to say, he was quite puzzled when the report came back saying the car was a 1965 model.
Now Sullivan knows his Mustangs and he knew without a doubt that the beauty in front of him was most definitely a 1968 and not a 1965. Suspicions raised, he hit his lights, signaling for the car to pull over. A brief inspection revealed that the VIN tags on the car had been removed. The driver was able to provide proof of registration though – of a 1965 Mustang. He claimed he had inherited the car from his uncle who had passed away.
The car was impounded and an investigation was launched.
A colleague of Sullivan’s, Detective Shawn Parks, who works with the vehicle theft task force, also inspected the car and confirmed that it was indeed a ’68. However, state records turned up nothing on a car so old. Special Agent David Roccaforte got involved in the mystery and did a little digging himself. He checked with the Shelby American Register and confirmed the original VIN. It also showed shipping date of December 4, 1967 as well as the original plate numbers.
It also showed that the original owner of the car was a man named Robert Lanyon – and a very surprising twist to the story.
Flash back to February 9, 1970. Robert Lanyon’s 1968 Shelby Mustang GT500 was stolen. He reported it but eventually gave up ever seeing the car again.
Ironically, it never left the general area; it was quite close by – but not only would it be more than four decades before Lanyon would know the fate of his beloved Stang, he would never get behind the wheel again.
In May, 2012, there was a hearing to determine if the car belonged to Lanyon (from whom it was stolen), or the uncle’s estate. The court did not rule in Lanyon’s favor. Because he filed a claim with his insurance for the stolen car and the insurance paid, ownership was awarded to the uncle’s estate.
Now, five years after that heartbreaking court decision, the car is set to hit the auction block at Motorsports Auction Group (MAG) in Reno, Nevada August 10 through 12 during the Hot August Nights.
This time when it changes owners, though, it will be completely legal with all correct documentation and proper tags.
It hits the block with its odometer showing 61,000 miles, has power brakes and steering, AM radio, automatic transmission, air conditioning, original fog lights, tilt/slide away steering wheel, and more.
There’s no word yet about whether Lanyon will try to buy his baby back, but we do harbor some romantic notions that one day the two will be reunited.
At Woodside Credit, we can help you purchase your next great car but we’ll also give you the best, most current advice about Anti Car Theft Technology. So, visit our website and submit a Quick Quote to see how we can help you.