What do Tom Colitt and John Travolta have in common?

[Tom Colitt]

Well, they both live in LA. John Travolta dabbles as an actor from time to time as well although he probably doesn't restore concours level Pagodas. But, they both have had their 280SL stolen from them too! Those of you that have been on this web-site for a while know of my panicked theft reports every few years. In my case it's been three times over the past 15 years, plus a theft attempt and some stolen parts incidents. Here is an article describing the theft and it looks like the LAPD and the press are now finally picking up on the thieves methods that I have been trying to get their attention on for years, (with virtually no response). You can bet they are going to try a little harder for John Travolta, although the low lives might actually just free the car unharmed if they heard it was Travolta's car before they stripped it. Too much chance of getting caught on this one.....

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1066333_john-travoltas-classic-mercedes-benz-280-sl-stolen

Best, Tom Colitt

[mdsalemi]

...and a LINK in the very same article you point to explains why you have such a problem...

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1023519_california-is-americas-car-theft-capital

Nice place to visit, but sure glad I don't own a car there...

[gugel]

...and a LINK in the very same article you point to explains why you have such a problem...

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1023519_california-is-americas-car-theft-capital

Nice place to visit, but sure glad I don't own a car there...

Yes. but Tom and John are both in LA, which is not one of the top 5 cities for car theft.  Modesto leads the list, and I agree, I wouldn't want to own a car -- or do much else -- there.

[66andBlue]

I am sure you three are aware that your link goes to an article published in 2008 based on statics of 2007 provided by the NICB.
Are the statistics worse now?? Most likely, but I wonder what the numbers are for NY, FL or PA.

Although keep in mind: "The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is a North American non-profit membership organization located in Des Plaines, Illinois. It was created by the insurance industry to address insurance-related crime and .... "
So every time the car insurance industry wants to raise the fees here in California and starts battling the insurance commissioner a report about the sky high theft statistics appear.  I am sure it is all coincidence ...  
Insurance companies get the biggest junk of profits from their car insurance side.

[Garry]

One thing that they both had in common other than stolen Pagoda's was the same colour hair, well up until recently that is, as one of them became a blond to fill a role in a movie production. Maybe to also ensure a clear distinction between them as well Interestingly enough it was to fill a role as a pilot something that John Travolta is also very involved in doing.

There is a photo to prove it all.

[Bob G ✝︎]

I have a very Agressive German Shepard. I do not go any were with my SL with out  him.
Bob Geco

[71Beige280SL]

I like the prices mentioned in Tom's article! 

[Tom Colitt]

I'm sure you have all heard by now that Travolta's car was recovered in pieces. In his case they actually seem to have caught the guys. Too bad it looks like this one will never be put together again....

John. If you ever buy another classic Mercedes, especially a Pagoda, make sure you take it to me if it needs anything at all :-)....

Best, Tom
(323) 251-0987

[Tom Colitt]

Sorry. I forgot the link to the article (There used to be an edit feature?....):

http://news.yahoo.com/john-travoltas-stolen-vintage-mercedes-recovered-pieces-205416129.html

[JPMOSE]

I left Los Angeles in 1994.  I lived there on and off from the mid 1970's.   While living in Beverly Hills, I had three cars vandalized.  Prior was Hollywood Hills -- four times. Prior was Chatsworth -- none.  Prior was Calabasas Park -- twice.   Before LA, I lived in Long Island and never had a problem.  Since LA, I've lived in Atlanta and Fort Worth and never had a problem (knock on wood). 

I loved living in Southern CA but there's a reason why car insurance is soooo high!  Tom...you keep that beautiful 230SL under guard!  By the way, when I purchased a firewall pad from you a few years back, I ask if you'd send me some high resolution pictures of your 230 and never heard back!!! lol  Would still love to see some.

[Tom Colitt]

Hi JP

Sorry about that. Your SOCAL experience sounds similar to mine. I will try to take some pictures of my 280 SL. Since I work on other people's cars mostly, I barely have time for my own and my Pagoda is always in some state of disassembly, Right now I am waiting to install the tachometer after repairing that, but first I have to refinish the dash wood, but first I have to sand all the other Pagoda center consoles and wood pieces that I have, but first I have to strengthen the dash wood pieces so they stay straight, but first I have to paint a replacement hood, but first I need to metal finish it because I want zero bondo, but first I have to do some work on a 1990 Jaguar XJS :-)...

[JPMOSE]

Tom...I think I mixed you up with another Tom.  I remember buying a washer res. with the brass fittings and some other items.  The guy I'm talking about has a black #1 condition 230SL.  He sold me a diamond firewall pad back in 2006 (now they can be had for a lot less  ).  But, I would enjoy seeing pictures of your car as well! 

[Tom Colitt]

Tom...I think I mixed you up with another Tom.  I remember buying a washer res. with the brass fittings and some other items.  The guy I'm talking about has a black #1 condition 230SL.  He sold me a diamond firewall pad back in 2006 (now they can be had for a lot less  ).  But, I would enjoy seeing pictures of your car as well! 

Yes JP

I too still have one of those original firewall pads which I took from Tom LeClerc as payment for doing some final work on his 230SL just before he died. It looks like I hung onto that pad a little too long :-)..... I'm still not done refinishing the wood pieces. One more step every day....

[JPMOSE]

I didn't know Tom had passed away!  How sad!   He wasn't that old from photos I've seen.   I wonder what happened to his beautiful 230SL?

[Tom Colitt]

Yes. It's been a few years. He had one of those horrible degenerative diseases, like Lou Gehrig's or similar... We were lucky to be able to at least show his 230SL once after he had spent much of his last 15 years working on the car by himself. I tried to get his widow to show the car again last year, but she may have been forced to sell it?....

[mclewis]

The New York Post is reporting today that the two men who confessed to stealing Travolta's car were sentenced to 14 years (for the mastermind) and 18 months (for the side-kick).

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/two_car_men_jailed_for_stealing_pHblsOWfBluj9cpIi4LbVJ

[Tom Colitt]

Thanks for the good news. At least one of them got what they deserved. The problem is, it's a drop on a hot stone and it's too easy to get away with these thefts because the police don't pursue these crimes for regular people. Plus, the main reason they solved it was probably because somebody tipped them off?....

[GGR]

"Travolta's car, worth around $100,000..." Steering wheel in true ivory? Bumpers in true silver?

"Green, from Los Angeles, admitted stealing Travolta's car and more than 30 other classic cars over a two-year period...." it would be interesting to see if any regular vintage car parts seller has disapeared from eBay since the arrest.

[TR]

"Travolta's car, worth around $100,000..." Steering wheel in true ivory? Bumpers in true silver?

The latest SL Market Letter just arrived.  It contains a full page on "Pagoda Pricing Trends", with a 10-year historical analysis broken down by model and condition.  Since I rather appreciate appreciating assets I was not displeased with the set of numbers which I focused on.

I suspect Travolta's car could have been valued above $100K.