The world of motor enthusiasts has proven, once again, that passion for cars can unite people and achieve the impossible. Thomas Bristol, owner of a rare 1993 Nissan Skyline GT-R, experienced a nightmare when, in the middle of the night, his prized Japanese sports car was stolen from his garage in Denver (Colorado, USA).
However, the story took an unexpected turn thanks to the coordinated action of the members of a Facebook group called “Colorado Cars and Coffee.”
In just 44 hours, this community not only helped locate the carbut rather demonstrated how social networks can overcome the effectiveness of authorities in certain situations. The Skyline R32 odyssey ended with the vehicle recovered, unharmed, and with its owner grateful for the support received.
The theft of a legendary car, but nothing discreet
Last Tuesday, in the middle of the night, thieves broke into Thomas Bristol’s garage using a second-generation Subaru Impreza, also stolen, to force the door. The security camera captured the moment when one of them, with tools in hand and face covered, headed directly towards their Skyline R32.
This sports coupe, also known as ‘Godzilla’, is a true icon for automotive lovers that was never marketed in the US, so Bristol imported it in 2017 for about $20,000. (about 19,200 euros at the exchange rate). Specifically, we are talking about an eighth-generation Nissan Skyline R32 (1989-1993) with a combination of unique parts, such as a Nismo exhaust and an R34 engine block.
Fuente: Colorado Cars and Coffee (Facebook)
As Bristol told the Automotive ADHD podcastis a car with incalculable emotional and material value for him. “For me, it is much more than a vehicle.” So despite the initial shock, after discovering and reporting the theft to the police, he decided not to give up and start looking for it himself.
Hoping to find help faster, a friend in Bristol posted an alert in the “Colorado Cars and Coffee” Facebook group, where thousands of enthusiasts share their passion for cars. And the response was immediate. In a matter of hours, photos and sightings of the Skyline circulating on different roads in the area began to arrive.
“Almost immediately, the Internet went to work locating my car,” Bristol explained. Motor enthusiasts not only shared information, but also began to actively tour the city in search of the sports car.
Bristol himself tried to recover the car on one occasion when he saw it on the road, but traffic prevented him from reaching it. “I felt that the police were not acting as quickly as I needed”he lamented.
Meanwhile, members of the group continued to share updates and sightings in near real time, including sightings in Colorado Springs and eventually in an area known as the ‘Black Forest’, just outside the city.
Bristol’s theory is that the thief, realizing that the car was being tracked throughout the online community, felt cornered and decided to abandon it. Less than 72 hours after the theft, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office found the car parked and intact.
Although the vehicle is still being held as evidence, Bristol is optimistic: “I’m told it’s not destroyed and it appears to be fine. I’m looking forward to getting it back.” The owner also expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped:
“If all this collaborative work they did online motivated the thief to desist, they did more than I could ever ask for. From start to finish, it was 44 hours. “They stole my car and recovered it in record time.” This story is a reminder of the power of digital communities and the love that enthusiasts have for their cars.
For people like Bristol, a vehicle is much more than a means of transportation – it’s an essential part of their life. So thanks to the involvement of their Facebook community, what could have been an irreparable loss became a kind of “Christmas miracle.”
Source: www.motorpasion.com
