Print

[whitehillbilly64]

3 years ago, a good old mate of mine, Jonny had his land rover stolen, from his property, which is a dead end road, a bit out the way, and yes he did, as we all tend to do in Aus.
But it also had a hidden start button, but with some electrical problem sorted earlier in the year, the Auto electrician doing the work had made it key start again.
I had done some digging in the past, because i felt it was more than he realized and I found out it was a prototype to the Australian Defense force Perentie, Factory fitted Isuzu, 3.9 with front/rear long range fuel tanks, on leaf springs. Only 100 made.
It was the Families camper/market stall, and he was second owner. His pride and joy.
It had been seen on the highway, but had some starting issues, an local resident of the local town, had even stopped to help the thieves get it going again when stopped on the side of the highway. Being dark at the time, was unable to give a description, except one male, one female.
I always felt it was still local somewhere, and who ever took it probably didn't know its past.
Months of door knocking in quite remote areas, with some un savories answering doors, countless adds, and lack of Local Police help turned up nothing, even surprisingly enough, a few people had actually seen it close to the ton of Murwillumbah, NSW Australia, not far from where it was stolen.
Was it broken up for parts ? who knows, 3.9 diesel is a nice motor, a bit sort after.
Shortly after a TD5 was purchased, but with it not being insured, they had to dig into savings, to continue the market stalls.
Lots of the Australian Land Rover community new about it, as I posted on every Au forum and FB page i knew of, with pics and description.
A few months ago he had a call from a LR owner, saying he thought he had seen the LR in question, in a yard, in Sydney.
Had it turned up after 3 years, and an excited Jonny made some calls, and someone got some pics.
Sadly after some investigations it turn out not Jonny's

[whitehillbilly64]

 I always felt Jonny's land rover would turn up somewhere. It had been posted up everywhere, when it was stolen 3 years ago with many LR owners keeping an eye out, and it was a bit different, with mods made to the tub, to fit the camper/market stall back. Fri, jonny had a phone call from a 24 year old, who sounded very nervous. Sean had seen the LR parked in the paddock, for the last couple of years. He had inquired about it, but not for sale. Nov, he was asked to re roof the ladies house, and as her partner had bailed and 'ripped' her off, she asked if he would like her partners LR he had left behind, as part payment. Over the next couple of months, Sean patched up the cut away in the tub,put and Ute cab on a started to sort things out. It had been sprayed black, very badly, so started removing the paint to revel its original colour. Imagine how excited this young man was with his latest project/find. Then Friday on Gumtree whilst looking for parts he came across Jonny's add. Now living in the Channon area, what this young man did blew us away. He talked to his Father, saying he thought he had Jonny's stolen land rover. Removing the black paint had relieved dent in guards and tub that matched the pic on Gumtree. So after a chat with dad he decided to ring the number that afternoon. No wonder he was so nervous. Any way an exchange of photos that evening reviled that yes, It was the stolen one. Sean then said, you better come and get your Land Rover. I got to meet Sean and his . lovely, genuine, honest parents, who would be very proud of what he decided to do

[whitehillbilly64]

 Sean had done some digging and discovered the same, so he knew he had a something a bit rare, as his dad has the remains of an old Series 3, which his parents had done a bit of traveling in before kids. The cab roof and rear tub bits had come from it.
A reward had been offered in one of the adds, so was sorted.
The stolen Land Rover was on its way home, only just over an hr from where it was taken from.
Jonny rang the Police last night, who promptly arrived. it has to be removed from the stolen files, before he can insure it. They checked Vin and Chassis numbers then said ok and left. They didn't want any names or details ??
A good story for the start of 2020, except in some ways for an amazing, honest young man, Sean.

whitehillbilly

[Sankey]

Read this this morning on instagram. What a great story. It would be cool if a little collection was started for this very honest lad.

[scotty]

Hi  great story and well done to the lad for his honesty and would be great if something could be done to reward his honesty as Sankey has mentioned    Paul