Flounder,
I am truly angry and sickened about the whole "Build a Bandit" scheme Bob and his family pulled on many T/A owners- I'm surprised none of the victims at this point have taken action against these perpetrators on their own. I can't say what I would do if some shop had my Firebird and it "disappeared" or was relieved of all of it's expensive and valuable parts- I've worked hard, spent alot of money and time on my Bird and I wouldn't just lie down and do nothing or accept a BS explanation from local law enforcement why they can do little or nothing.
It's stories like Build a Bandit guarantee that my Firebird will never spend 1 minute in any shop for any work- if I cannot do it I'll contract to have the work done in my own garage. Fortunately I can build my own engines, do my own driveline work, metal, bodywork and paint, but I understand not everyone has these skills and/or the desire to do it. People that have to rely on shops to have work done on their cars run the risk of their prized possession being stripped or stolen, and unfortunately it happens alot more than the automotive service industry would care to admit.
I know the chances of most victims recovering their T/As and/or money paid in good faith is slim to none, but hopefully they will not give up the dream of having a nice clean T/A. Most of us put our time, money and sweat into our Birds over the course of years, so we don't see that finished product right away. We get them running, save up, and drive them while we get close to getting ready for paint- it may take longer, but the satisfaction IMO is the same, if not sweeter. Hopefully anyone who loves Firebirds and T/As gets to experience this, even after a horrible and traumatic experience like dealing with Build a Bandit.
Geno