I'll probably get my ass kicked into tomorrow for this by some asshat accusing me of plugging without notice... but that aint gonna stop me as it is for a good cause...

http://s3.phpbbforfree.com/forums/baywindowmafia-forum-29.html

This part of the BWM forum was brought about by the increasing number of VW's. whether they be buses, bugs, type 3's that are falling victim to thieving pondscum and either being stripped, flogged overseas, or just dumped and in some cases burned. Only recently in Australia a beautifully restored early Type 3 squareback was stolen from a driveway in Melbourne and found (luckily unharmed) dumped in a supermarket parking lot. Not so lucky was the equally beautiful restored '64 Beetle which was stolen from Sydney and found dumped and torched at Wombean Caves a few weeks later.

To aid in combatting such instances of theft which are becoming an increasingly worrisome issue for all classic vehicle owners VW and otherwise, a network of watchful eyes within the community at large is needed. This network is the Baywindow Mafia Crimewatch...

Also, there are the occasional instances where a person is ripped off in another way... recently the seller of a supposedly UK-bound splitty decided not to come clean on the goods after payment, prompting an outcry from the VW community at large in the US and UK. As tensions built, some particularly upstanding members of the California bus scene decided to take the bull by the horns and actively persue the cretin with the bus. Eventually the fiasco culminated in a heated meeting between one of the Samba members and the offender, who evidently was trying to sell the bus elsewhere AFTER payment had been made by the original buyer. WHatever the case, the bus was taken away after the seller finally agreed to hand over the keys and a crime was averted.

This kind of comradery is what makes it so great to be a VW owner... however I am not by any means saying one must form a lynch mob and beat the crap out of any wrongdoer at the drop of a hat.

Vigilance however goes a long way...

OK.. now a bit on using this service for want of a better word...

If a vehicle has been stolen, provide as much information as you possibly can... this should include as a minimum:

-Type of vehicle... barndoor splitty dualcab, late bay camper, aircooled T3 Caravelle etc
-Colour
-License plate number
-distinguishing features... eg. 3 inches off the ground
-Accessories... eg. BRM's, roof rack, bullbar, deluxe trim, whitewalls etc
-Suburb, City, State and postcode from which the car was stolen.
-location of last sighting if seen subsequent to the theft.
-Contact phone number of owner

Other useful info may include...
-Year model
-Chassis number
-ENgine type... particularly if the engine is non-standard eg a Subaru or GMH motor.

With this information provided, members in the locale in which the theft occurred, or anywhere for that matter, can keep an eye peeled and pass on any information via the forum or directly to the owner ia phone.

SO anyway, if somebody you know or you yourself has had your VW stolen, or you are being bent over and dealt with harshly by a seller post up the details here poste-haste so people can be informed and be on the lookout and perhaps lend a helping hand. In the spirit of all things good, this does not apply just to bay's, but any older VW, whether it be a bug, superbug, type 3, splitty, bay, vanagon, Ghia, 412, 181, Porsche 914 etc...

In an ideal world this would not be necessary, however there are nasty's out there unfotunately.

Please remember to notify us when you have found the vehicle or if the search has been called off.

Cheers all!
Kieran

links not working for me bro

Quote:

Originally posted by bajachris88 links not working for me bro

Sounds like a great idea. It would be a terrible shame if things turned into a vigilante hit squad but anything that helps protect fellow dubbers from the thieving minority is a good thing.
I hope the *(&^%^&% that burnt the beetle gets the toasty treatment in hell!
- Adam