EL XR8 Recovered - Network finds pride and joy

Bobman · 15-12-2009, 11:58 AM

From the Knox Leader.

Quote:

FACEBOOK has saved Christmas for a Boronia family traumatised by a brazen theft in a busy carpark.

Anthony Pattison was reunited with his stolen white 1998 Ford XR8 ute at Calder Park Raceway on Sunday, December 6 after a stranger noticed his wife’s plea on the popular social networking site.

Two days earlier, the 35-year-old handyman was left horrified to find the $ 14,000 car stolen from the Keilor raceway carpark, after treating his six-year-old son Jack to his first night out at the popular venue.

‘‘ I couldn’t believe it, it was such a bad feeling, and Jack was really upset about it,’’ Mr Pattison said.

Catching a ride home with a friend, Mr Pattison started scouring eBay for a replacement, while wife Kylie Craig posted a message on Facebook group Calder Park Raceway explaining what had happened.

‘‘ By Sunday, I was about to head out the door to make on offer for this car I’d seen on eBay, using the money for our Christmas savings,’’ he said.

But just before they walked out the door, Ms Craig checked the site to find a message from Melton South man Greg Dickson, who had seen their plea and noticed the car abandoned at another section of the raceway that morning.

In complete disbelief, the family – which also includes one-year-old son Jett – rushed out to find the car had ploughed through a fence, but was miraculously in good condition.

And better still, all Mr Pattison’s tools were still in the back. ‘‘ I was just blown away,’’ Mr Pattison said. ‘‘ I don’t know what they did with it, but they must have been trying to avoid going out the main exit.’’ Mr Dickson said he was happy to help the family weeks before Christmas, but described the find as ‘‘ freaky’’.

aussie muscle · 15-12-2009, 12:51 PM

awesome story

ThePistonHead · 15-12-2009, 12:53 PM

$14,000?

Iggypoppin' · 15-12-2009, 12:57 PM

Why not 14k? A good condition xr8 ute 1998 model with low klms and tasteful mods etc wouldn't have too much trouble fetching that. Maybe that's what it was insured for too. Good that it was found too, saves the heartache of losing a car so close to Christmas.

Bobman · 15-12-2009, 01:02 PM

It was a white XH series 2 with EL GT wheels, just for info.

Gaz · 15-12-2009, 01:23 PM

Given that he said he was going to spend his christmas savings on a replacement I'm guessing it wasn't insured.

Hopefully he decided insurance is probably worth while now.

RG · 15-12-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePistonHead

$14,000?

Could be taking into account the tools in the back too, says he's a tradie.

Nice find, lucky bloke he is.

auxr · 15-12-2009, 02:26 PM

Christmas fairy certainly looking after this guy - great to hear a good ending to a bad start.

Bobman · 15-12-2009, 02:29 PM

http://knox-leader.whereilive.com.au...pride-and-joy/

Calder Park Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi....3380916425..1

peeds13 · 15-12-2009, 05:05 PM

Extremly lucky, especially about his tools!

XR6_190 · 15-12-2009, 05:18 PM

Great story, good for them.

**DJM83** · 15-12-2009, 07:43 PM

Glad to hear some good in the world

**TUF_302** · 15-12-2009, 08:38 PM

Why do some of you have to worry about what they said the guys car is worth?, just be happy he got his ute back on doesn't have to spend up replacing it! No need to start a stupid war over wether or not its worth that

Nikked · 15-12-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUF_302

Why do some of you have to worry about what they said the guys car is worth?, just be happy he got his ute back on doesn't have to spend up replacing it! No need to start a stupid war over wether or not its worth that

This.

Good to see the Internet comming to the rescue

ThePistonHead · 15-12-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUF_302

Why do some of you have to worry about what they said the guys car is worth?, just be happy he got his ute back on doesn't have to spend up replacing it! No need to start a stupid war over wether or not its worth that

It seemed like a bit of uninformed journalism to me. That is all, was not having a go at the blokes ride as I don't know the extent of modifications done on it/other equipment on board.

JC260 · 15-12-2009, 10:59 PM

geez some good news for once!
It's good to hear owner and car being re-united.

XR Martin · 15-12-2009, 11:40 PM

Probably forgot to engage the handbrake and it just rolled across the car park ;)

OLDFORDNUT · 15-12-2009, 11:42 PM

great story, very easy to have $5000 worth of tools in back ,my basic set in my boot just for emergencies is worth around $800,i have spent thousands over last 3 years getting a good collection of tools, id be just as devastated by tool loss as car.

Papa Smurf · 16-12-2009, 09:07 AM

A very nice Christmas story with a happy ending, beats the Yes there is a Santa Claus.

Mr Greg Dickson, I hope your Christmas is a good one matey.

GK · 16-12-2009, 11:21 AM

Glad he got the car back. Doesn't happen very often.

GK

GUTLES · 16-12-2009, 01:31 PM

Great news for that fella, nothing worse then the feeling of your pride & joy being stolen.

How come none of the Calder Park Staff noticed the car dumped there?

FPV8U · 16-12-2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GUTLES

How come none of the Calder Park Staff noticed the car dumped there?

Have you had much to do with calder staff?

They might have noticed in a week or 10.. :togo:

FPV GTHO · 16-12-2009, 05:43 PM

Those EL2 XR8's are pretty rare, the XH2's would be even rarer.

ILLaViTaR · 17-12-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76txcoupe

Why not 14k? A good condition xr8 ute 1998 model with low klms and tasteful mods etc wouldn't have too much trouble fetching that. Maybe that's what it was insured for too. Good that it was found too, saves the heartache of losing a car so close to Christmas.

Because it's an EL XR8 no matter what condition it's in.