Stolen Jaguar E-Type returned to owner after 46 years
A Jaguar E-Type that was stolen from outside its owner’s New York apartment in 1968 will be returned to its rightful custodian 46 years after the car first went missing.
Original owner Ivan Schneider described the outcome as a ‘miracle’ – which it sort of is, when you find out the full story behind the finding of his classic E-Type.
A young lawyer in the Big Apple at the time, the 82-year-old’s 1967 example of the classic British sports car vanished without a trace. With no news from police on the whereabouts of his car, the American thought it was gone forever. Until now.
With decades having past since the car first went off the radar, Schneider was resigned to the fact that he’d never see his beloved E-Type again.
However, back in June US authorities identified the car as part of a routine check on vintage vehicles being transported to Holland.
There’s a high demand for classic cars in Holland at the moment, so when one eagle-eyed US Customs and Border Protection official noticed Schneider’s E-Type was reported as stolen – nearly 50 years earlier – two days into its voyage to Europe, he raised the alarm.
Authorities then arranged with the shipping company to transport the stolen Jaguar back to California.
The container was offloaded back in August, but the car still hasn’t been reunited with its original keeper yet.
In fact, the only way Schneider has been able to see the car is by video link.
A US customs operative walked Schneider round the car virtually using a laptop and a video link connection so the British sports car fan could set eyes on his pride and joy once more after 46 years.
The only thing is, after 46 years – many of which seem to have passed without any love or attention – the E-Type is now in a state of disrepair.
It’s rusty in places and has big scrapes in the paintwork. In its current state it’s thought to be worth around £14,000 – around a quarter of the value a mint example could command.
From the moment Schneider bought the vehicle he was in love. Which is why he’s determined to restore ‘her’ – even at 82. But age is just a number, right?
Speaking to the Miami Herald, Schneider said, ‘I always said that she was the prettiest’ and that he ‘wouldn’t push her too hard’ now that he’s got his pride and joy back.
“WIN YOUR NEW CAR IS AN AWESOME WAY TO WIN THE CAR OF YOUR DREAMS!”
–Tommy Milner, Factory Corvette Driver, 24 Hours of Le Mans Champion & Win Your New Car Spokesperson
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