They stole the gas tank from my parked GTO!
 

So I just got the 65 GTO upgraded with Wilwood power disc brakes, power steering, 18" Torq Thrusts, TKO-600 transmission, MSD ignition, and BeCool aluminum radiator. The car was running so good, the wife and I decided to head up to Hoosier Park Casino, which is about a 20 minute drive up the road. We went in and blew about $40, which only took about 20 minutes.

Upon returning to the car, it wouldn't start! After checking the engine, I was baffled. It took me several minutes to realize it, but THE GAS TANK HAD BEEN STOLEN! Someone just cut the straps and fuel line, and took off with it!

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?!!? Fortunately I have a AAA Gold membership, so I had the car towed back to the shop. I've got the replacement tank on the way, but it makes me wonder... Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent this? Maybe weld a bar across the bottom of the tank? I need some ideas!

Thanks! :mad:

Probably quicker & easier to just cut the straps/line than to siphon the fuel. That really sucks! What is the extent of the damage?

Good thing they didn't steal the whole car if it was an Indian Casino. Guy had a Camaro and trailer stolen a few years ago at an Indian Casino and I don't think he ever got it back even though he found it. Feds couldn't touch it.

Trailer hitch. run a couple supports between the braces of the hitch under the tank.

Mike

Wow, that's a first. What kind of low life goes after something like that.

There was a story recently in MCR about a guy that had his vintage Camaro, trailer and tow vehicle taken by natives, but it was from behind a Toronto hotel. They beggered off with it and he could do nothing but pay a hefty ransom to get it back.

It's infuriating, especially knowing no recourse except one that could cause you trouble.

Never heard of such a thing ... ever
Makes me wonder if they wanted the tank - or just the gas.

Try to always back into a parking spot i guess ....
Air Ride suspension and drop it on the ground when parked.


It would have been easier to steal the whole car with a 65

Wow, punks deserve to be caught.:mad:

Do not go to Anderson. Go to Shelbyville next time.

patrick

Were there security cameras in the parking garage?

As mentioned in a couple of posts above- the late COPO Pete had his entire rig stolen and it disappeared into the reservation.

I'm thinking that it's really odd that they stole just the gas tank on what sounds to be a really nice car. I suspect that they intended to immobilize the car long enough that they could come back and get it later. Good thing you stayed by it and had it towed out!

My thoughts too. At a casino there must be.

The casino isn't an Indian casino... It's just a casino in Indiana. :-)

It wasn't in a parking garage, it was at the end of a big parking lot... I parked at the end trying to avoid door dings. Unfortunately, the casino says their camera caught nothing.

And yes, I've heard lots of stories about staying away from Anderson. Unfortunately, Shelbyville is twice as far away.

(For those of you not from Indiana, here is the lowdown on Anderson... One of the MTV Teen Moms is from there, and although it's a small town, since this has happened, people have come out of the woodwork telling me about the time they got robbed, vandalized, hit by a drunk driver, etc. etc. when they were in Anderson.)

My guess is removing the straps and cutting the fuel line takes only a few minutes... AND it looks a lot less suspicious to the parking lot security guard to say "Yeah, we're just having car troubles" than it is to be standing there with a siphon hose!

In either case, I need to figure out a way to secure my next tank! :mad:

I don't leave my car in a parking lot. Can't bring myself to do it.

I think the chances of you getting another tank stolen is pretty remote. First the next gas thief would have to think of that. Second, there's a good chance they wanted the tank. Whomever stole the tank had to be prepared for that. If they were out stealing gas they would have to look for an old car for the ease of it, and have a cutting tool strong enough to cut the straps. I'm willing to bet someone saw the car and an accomplice came with proper tools. The good news is this piece of **** doesn't need another tank!

My biggest fear is the whole car disappearing (even though fully insured). These cars were easy to steal back in the day and even easier today with advent of claw type tow trucks. One of our cars gets stolen, it would be immediately stripped or end up in a container to central or South America. I never leave my car out of eyesight. Its too easy! Even in a restaurant I need a view. Hotel/motel over night, NOT happening!!! I've heard too many stories about going to big events and cars getting stolen. During a big event the choices are endless.

Agreed.
Getting your complete tank stolen was one in a million I think. Like winning the lottery, but in your case.... losing.

Sorry to hear bud, I too have never heard of such a thing.

Skills USA is in KC this week, the first night a vendor parked his van at Hurrahs, came out in the morning, started the van and it was loud..looked under and someone stole the CAT converter...hes from Texas and is really bumming out...happens all the time..never hear about it, but its common at casinos....


cordless sawzalls...making criminals efficient and stealthy for 10 years

I wouldn't worry about the gas tank getting stolen again. You're more likely to get hit by lightening. I had the cat converter stolen off of my 4 Runner in my driveway while I slept. My solution was to weld the bolts. Shortly after, I simply MOVED.

I've heard of drilling a hole in the tank to drain and steal the gas from newer cars, never heard of stealing the entire tank, but it would be easy in the older cars.
Unfortunately other than a Mad Max device there not much way to prevent a determined thief.

Thats really frigged up, never would expect to hear of such a thing,
And the picture in my mind of someone trying to carry a tank with gas in it is comical.
As most people know its like carrying a pissed off animal when the gas starts rocking from side to side.:eek::jumping: I would love to see it on video. And I agree its a first and last time.

I raise you $200.00 and this half full gas tank!

Unfortunately, most destinations do not let you drive the GTO directly inside the store/restaurant/etc...