Downtown Detective: The Case of the Dumped Z28

I love it. Reeks of Knight Rider conspiracy all over.

I haven’t seen this vehicle before but I know the garage I park in (833 S Flower St, across from the Gas Co Lofts) has about five abandoned vehicles. One of which is a brand new 7 series BMW with the dealer’s cardboard plates still on it!

Eric, I am a bit dubious about parts of your collaborated hypothesis – this based on some of your photos. Looking at photo, “Main3” it appears that the vehicle may have been subjected to the elements and more then just some morning dew. Look at the rear bumper and you can see the water run-off.

Although I didn’t get to examine the car, what I gleaned from your photos was that:

1. The vehicle was parked in an unsecured P-Lot or in an open and unsecured parking facility.

2. The vehicle was parked close to a construction zone where there is considerable excavation.

3. The owner of said lot knows the owner and/or possibly gave the owner permission to park (originally).

4. The vehicle has been parked in the lot or facility for at least seven months or more.

5. The vehicle may possibly have been involved in a hit-n-run traffic accident.

6. The vehicle was an abandoned stolen – maybe your LAPD friends can confirm??

Well that’s my take on this felonious caper!

there was one in the “SB not so Grand” loft’s pking structure for a year or two…

The guy wrecked. Probably a hit and run. Reported the car stolen. The hid the car somewhere - prob a backyard or lot where it wouldn’t be spotted for a while. Then had it towed/dumped in the city of LA where abandoned cars don’t get a whole lot of attention. Viola - not responsible for the H&R and insurance pays to have the car fixed and painted or replaces the vehicle.

Impossible to deduct anything without a search of the interior of the car for evidence of ownership, theft, or for that matter being able to inspect the exterior for evidence of a collision.

Could be the owner landed in jail and reclaiming that vehicle is the least of his/her worries. Could be the owner dropped dead of a heart attack and no one knew where s/he parked their ride. Could be the owner is stuffed in the trunk.

If it’s stolen or wanted in a hit and run, it’ll pop up when it ends up in an OPG impound yard. It’s perfectly plausible one tow truck pulled it out of the parking spot so another could collect it later after it was ticketed by LADOT.

that same car was in our building’s garage for a LONG time. i always wondered who it belonged to because it was so dirty and looked un-used. i have no doubt it came from our building the shybarry grand. its unbelievable that they would tow it and put on the street and on the wrong lane as if downtown needs any more abandoned things on the street.

I remember this same kinda thing happening in 1974, in New York. A year later, someone named Ford clearly stated “Drop Dead.” I believe some little rag named the New York Post had his statement as a headline, round the same time that America’s then-greatest city was believed to be not in a recession.

A year later there were all kinda Hollywood movies based on broken down cars and people. There was one from Columbia about a taxi driver, or was it some french connection, or some tale about Brooklyn? I forget, but perhaps the present predicament—thanks to the city council of Los Angeles—will soon remind us all what I mean.