About 5 years ago I purchased a 1964 Volvo 122S with California black plates here in Los Angeles for $1000.00. It needed paint, engine work, suspension work, an interior, and much more. However it was very solid and rust free. Over the next few years I piecemeal brought the car back to being a great driver. New chrome, paint, shocks, head work and more. It was not perfect but very nice (you might have seen it at the 2003 SCVCOA swap meet in Culver City just a few weeks before it was stolen).

One day after work I couldn't find my car in the parking structure at work. I looked everywhere and asked if the building had towed it away for some strange reason. No, the car was stolen! I saw evidence of a broken window and a tie-wrap on the ground I had used to hold the coil wire out of the way. The thief had brought a spare coil obviously to get around the Volvo armoured coil. This guy knew what he was doing.

After waiting for months for the police to find a crashed shell somewhere, I gave up. I bought a 1970 BMW 2002 to replace my Volvo, but it was not the same.

Then 22 months after my car was stolen, I got a call from the LAPD. They had arrested a guy in Orange County with over 2 dozen stolen motorcycles and cars. Included were 2 1800's, a couple of 122's and a 123GT. He was a collector that had a smaller cash investment in his toys then the rest of us.

I got the car back and it wasn't in TOO bad of shape. He did manage to snap the cam in the tired B18 and mess a few other things up. I found a good B20 (Thanks Erik!) that I'm going over before installation and it needs a new interior - but it always did.

I sold my BMW 2002 to finance the correct repairs to my car. No love lost - nice car but kind of cheap feeling.

Sorry for the long winded story, but I thought this was an interesting.

Finally here is a question (I'm sure more will follow) for this group:

I remember seeing a precut fire-wall insulation blanket - for the engine side not passanger side. Does anyone know the source of this item? I can't seem to find it anywhere. I thought it was a Swedish site but I tried the ones I have bookmarked. Any ideas?

Richard
L.A. California