FEDs impound 1985 Land Rover - Vanagons Next?!?

Captjon1959

I came across a weird story today about FEDs impounding a 1985 Land Rover. The lady has put $60,000 into the vehicle and agents would not explain why they were taking it or where they took it. Here's a link:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/aug/1/feds-raid-sc-home-to-seize-land-rover-in-epa-emiss/

The article suggests that 40 other similar vehicles were taken in raids. It plays into our worst fears about government over reach. I hope that we will find that there is some other explanation, but it does add to my nagging concern that the EPA at some point will outlaw old vehicles. Does anyone have more information on this?
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1984 Westfalia Wolfsburg Edition
Former 1.9 L now Bostig Ford Zetec

Merian · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 3:53 pm Post subject:

you realize the Wash. Times is run by the Moonies, right?

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Part of a bust I'll bet.
Contraband.
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T.K.

hans j · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 4:04 pm Post subject:

That looks like a whole lot newer than 1985... http://www.wbtv.com/story/26075071/woman-has-questions-after-agents-seize-land-rovers?autostart=true

http://blog.caranddriver.com/exclusive-feds-declare-war-on-black-market-land-rover-defenders/

No one is going to take your guns or vanagons... Rolling Eyes

Unless you buy a 2002 van from SA, cut the VINs out for older vehicles and start selling a bunch of them on ebay.
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

Ahwahnee · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 4:21 pm Post subject:

There a couple of vehicles where older VINs are used to get newer ones into the US & exempt from some restrictions -- Land Rovers and classic Minis are two I know of.

Has nothing to do with us -- mostly just the fringe media serving up some more fear & loathing.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 4:23 pm Post subject:

Heh, not only does it look a lot newer, it looks a lot like an 80 series Toyota LandCruiser. That's what the picture is, anyhow. So, if she's got enough resources and can state something is "iconic" you'd think she knows what she bought. And if that IS her car in the picture then there's a lot more going on in this story....

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

Ahwahnee · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 4:23 pm Post subject:

hans j · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 4:42 pm Post subject:

tarandusVDub · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject:

Moonie Malarkie.
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

insyncro

fleet_maintenance · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 5:40 pm Post subject:

An acquaintance of mine here in Upstate that I know through a local VW club had his Landie siezed as part of that "raid".

It seemingly boiled down to the fact that one importer had been found to be importing VIN switched vehicles. Whether the VINs were switched stateside or "over there" is not known.

All 40 vehicles siezed were "touched" by this importer.

Luckily for the local guy, his VINs were intact, original, and legit. He got his LR back yesterday.

***I agree with the poster above who stated that unless your Vanagon is wearing "new" VIN plates (or mis-registered/titled), you've got nothing to worry about***

tarandusVDub · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject:

Funny how stolen property gets turned into an EPA gangsta plot!
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 9:04 pm Post subject:

Agree - talk about over reaching gummint agencies. Now they're clearly reaching into each other's areas. If you made a Venn diagram of our gummint agencies, there'd be no area of life not triple covered by gun-toting fanatics with convoys of taxpayer-bought cars.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

dhaavers · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:44 am Post subject:

IF this could be true at face value, then every full-size pickup in the US gets
tagged before they even start to look at my van... (12 mpg -vs- 19mpg).

Just sayin'...consider the source...

Rolling Eyes

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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

IdahoDoug · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:29 am Post subject:

Looked at the vid. Looks like your Vanagon is safe as they are probably impounding it for some irregularities on the titling and import process, NOT simply because its an old car that pollutes. And it is indeed a Rover though oddly they show the completely unrelated LandCruiser again in the video.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:45 am Post subject:

fleet_maintenance · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:58 am Post subject:

Vehicles were definitely impounded for "irregularities" with the VINs. During the course of the investigation, a list of suspect VINs was sent to Rover. The word on the street is that at least some of those that are being returned were "mis-identified" by Land Rover as newer vehicles when the Dept. of HS forwarded them a list of VINs to verify. This was the basis for seizure.

As far as these seizures go, Vanagon owners have NOTHING to worry about unless they have adultered VIN information.

Additionally, 25y.o. LR's were being stolen (overseas) and chopped. Their VIN's were then "transplanted" onto newer vehicles before being sold (and subsequently registered/titled) in the US by seemingly unsuspecting new owners. A number of the vehicles seized were done so from owners that bought the vehicles legally, a few owners removed from original US buyer. It is still unclear which side of the Atlantic the VIN switching occurred on, or who was complicit.

johnnypan · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 10:13 am Post subject:

hitest · Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:53 pm Post subject:

Just what A.M. radio station is this thread available on?
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Gary


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FEDs impound 1985 Land Rover - Vanagons Next?!?
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