A Florida resident found out that unoccupied properties may not be the best place to store a classic car. According to Ocala.com, a neighbor noticed that the garage door to the vacant home was open and notified a deputy. The home had been unoccupied for approximately 6-months, but a relative figured that it was a safe place to store a 1932 Ford coupe.
Vacant homes tend to attract squatters, vandals, teenagers looking for a place to party, and of course thieves. However, this wasn’t exactly theft, at least in the eyes of the perpetrator; this individual or individuals decided to make a trade for the ’32 Ford. This person or persons, opted to leave a 2001 green Ford Ranger in the yard as a possible trade for the classic Ford. Although a Ranger hardly a fair trade for a deuce coupe, it might have been the thought that counted.
Of course the car owner is probably pretty upset and the sheriff’s department looking for anyone who might have lead on the case, but so far the ’32 is still missing. However, the car owner should have thought about the safety of storing the Ford in a vacant home. Sure, everyone wants free garage storage, but they should consider the safety of the items they are storing. It would be nice not worry about what ifs, but in reality that is why insurance companies are in business. Hopefully, the ’32 will be found intact and this story will have a happy ending.