1973 Stroppe Baja "Saved from the grave" TWICE

[Kinder]

[emoji106]

[mickphatmac]

WINNER WINNER BAJA DINNER!!!!!!!!!!

[phyler]

That has to be a great feeling!

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[pgilbeau]

Congrats! Details?

[akaFrankCastle]

Congrats! Details?

Give me 10 hours to get back to KC and I'll get it all typed up.

[Strike2]

CONGRADUALTIONS!!! Glad to hear you didn't get bent over. Did you put that KC sticker on for good measures? lol

I've been researching/reading everything thing I can on "Stroppe" and although a newbie to Bronco's I fully understand the significance to your find and the Baja history is just beyond words. You have the beginning to a good story.

[rt9]

So cool. Can't wait to hear all the good news!

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[landshark]

Oh boy oh boy! congrats!

[Rox Crusher]

Awesome update !

I was wondering about this just the other day.

Glad it worked out CONGRATS !

[BroncoRaider]

NICE!

[Viperwolf1]

Good job keeping after it.

[Jesus_man]

Happy ending there Willie Robertson

[Digger]

Freaking awesome!

Great news!!

[Justin]

That's almost as awesome as your beard. You're almost to full on Gandalf status!

[D&D72]

That is awesome Zack!, Zac, Zachary... whatever LOL. Very happy for you and the Stroppe!

[Eck]

That's almost as awesome as your beard. You're almost to full on Gandalf status!

My precious! Congrats!

[akaFrankCastle]

Congrats! Details?

On the last episode of "I've got a Bronco with no title"...

The Bronco was impounded back in April. CSP ran the VIN and found it was reported stolen in 2012. Not having a legal claim to the truck, I was left waiting for the "system" to hopefully work in my favor.

The reporting party was notified their vehicle was recovered and given 30 days to recover it.

In October, well past the 30 days, CSP released the vehicle to the towing company for them to do with as they saw fit. After speaking with the owner of towing company, he agreed to file for a title so that it could be resold.

I spent the next 8 weeks making a phone call to the towing company every 10 days, on the day, to inquire as to whether or not the title was back. Nothing. "Government works slow" I was told.

So, this week I was preparing to head back to Colorado Springs for a memorial service on Fort Carson. I tried to contact the towing company to find out if the title was in, so I could take my trailer and hopefully bring back the Bronco. The first day the owner was not there. The second, no answer on the phone. So I said the hell with it and took the trailer anyway.

Thursday evening I drove to Pueblo to try and locate the tow yard. Google couldn't give me an address, just a general area. So I drove around until I found the place. It was pitch black out and I saw a light on in the office. Took a chance and went in, found the owner inside going over paperwork. I explained who I was and what I was doing there. He showed me his file and explained that he hadn't received anything back yet. A two hour conversation followed, concerning everything imaginable. Family. Baseball. Economy. Guns. You name it. Finally, just as I was about to leave, he says "let me check my title book."

The second title in the book: U15GLQ80791!

We struck a deal on price. Shot the crap for another 30 minutes or so, and I left.

Friday morning I showed up to pick up the Bronco. Rather than going straight to business, we had a 20 minute conversation about an antique pocket watch he had on display in his office. Then, I gave him cash. He gave me a signed title (which I prompted took to the truck and secured inside my bag). Then we loaded it up with a forklift!

And there you have it! Seven months and some change later, not only do I have the Bronco back but a clean and clear title to go with it too!

Honestly, I have to credit my perseverance and cool head with the entire series of fortuitous events. Had I lost my head or not been that same Bronco-karma loving guy that I always strive to be, I think this thing would have been sold to someone else. And, as it turns out, the file folder the owner kept on the truck had my name, my phone number and the note "CALL FIRST WHEN TITLE ARRIVES!" underlined.

[Moab Mike]

AWESOME! Great Karma!

[Colorado75bronc]

Awesome to hear! So glad that you have it in your possession again!


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[akaFrankCastle]

We just named the Bronco. Morris.

Morris the cat, an orange (maybe poppy red) tabby, was the cat featured in the 9 Lives cat food commercial.

This Bronco has seven lives left.

[akaFrankCastle]

Happy ending there Willie Robertson

You jealous?

[Jesus_man]

Happy ending there Willie Robertson

You jealous?

LOL. Only if you know Si- nese

[ScottBarnes]

This is such a great story!! Congrats!!

[EFI Guy]

That is so awesome! Best news I've heard all month. Congrats!

[Friday]

Glad it worked out for you Zach! Can't wait to see this restoration story play out in your capable hands.

[TOOLMAN]

[cravenbronco]

Flipping awesome.....

[mickphatmac]

I'm a little disappointed in the lack of pictures to be honest!!!???

I would have thought that we would have seen it sitting in the corner of the towing yard, getting loaded by the forklift, On the trailer in your rear view mirror CHECK!, and at its home next to all your other ponies!?????
(the last one with you hugging and smooching the front fender of course!!! )

BIG CONGRATS by the way :):):)

[akaFrankCastle]

I'm a little disappointed in the lack of pictures to be honest!!!???

I would have thought that we would have seen it sitting in the corner of the towing yard, getting loaded by the forklift, On the trailer in your rear view mirror CHECK!, and at its home next to all your other ponies!?????
(the last one with you hugging and smooching the front fender of course!!! )

BIG CONGRATS by the way :):):)

Well, time and space dictate I focus on one truck at a time. Stroppe'd has been moved to my sister's house for storage while TO is under the knife here. Morris the Baja resides at my dad's, on trailer still, until I've completed the title transfer to Missouri.

Current plan has TO rolling out the door with a For Sale sign, Stroppe'd getting a new engine and transmission, then Morris comes in for heart and lungs. Once Morris is roadworthy, Stroppe'd comes off the frame.

It's a giant shell game when you have a one car garage.

[landshark]

It's a giant shell game when you have a one car garage.

And how!