Jump to content


Photo

Rennmax theft, help required please


  • Please log in to reply
96 replies to this topic

#1 Andrew Fellowes

Andrew Fellowes
  • Member

  • 753 posts
  • Joined: November 03

Posted 22 December 2013 - 21:11



Can anyone help? What a lovely car, surely cant get far in Vic. Australia. I have Jay's phone number, I deleted it from below for safety.

 

Hi all,

 

The locks on the factory gates were cut and my trailer Rego Number T39795 containing my Rennmax Repco was stolen last night from Rowville VIC.

 

Can you please keep an eye out for it and if you see it can you contact the Police or me.

 

Regards

Jay Bondini

 
 

Edited by Andrew Fellowes, 22 December 2013 - 21:40.


Advertisement

#2 Andrew Fellowes

Andrew Fellowes
  • Member

  • 753 posts
  • Joined: November 03

Posted 22 December 2013 - 21:16

Now all I need to do is to learn how to POST A FLIPPN' PHOTO !!!!!

 

Sorry for the edits and stuff ups, I think I've made it!

4k67.jpg

 

rsez.jpg


Edited by Andrew Fellowes, 22 December 2013 - 21:37.


#3 arttidesco

arttidesco
  • Member

  • 6,708 posts
  • Joined: April 10

Posted 22 December 2013 - 21:39

Hope it turns up sooner rather than later :(



#4 Andrew Fellowes

Andrew Fellowes
  • Member

  • 753 posts
  • Joined: November 03

Posted 22 December 2013 - 23:41

Up Date.

 

 

Hi All,


just an update to my heartache there is no news at all as to the whereabouts of the trailer and car. I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments and efforts to help recover the Rennmax, Please keep up the good work.  A bit of history about the car as some may not be a where.


Bob only made 4 sports cars in total mine is number one it was rear ended in we think its 2nd outing and rebuilt with a Repco engine number RB740 E16C out of Leo Geoghegans Lotus 39 and previously used by Sir Jack Brabham in 1967. After a long racing history in the hands of 1970 – 1972 with Doug McArthur 1972 – 1975 Barry Norman Randall and the Gibson family from 1975 - 2011I purchased the car it had been sitting for many years and it took a team of very talented very good friends 12 months and a hell of a lot of money to rebuild the car to the state it is in. This is the only one in the world with a Repco engine fitted and is very rare .


The Police think that there is little chance of getting it back in one piece and think it will be dumped and burnt. The only chance is to find the Trailer, so please help by keeping an open eye for it and relay the information to as many as we can.

Thanking every one very much


Regards

Jay Bondini



#5 275 GTB-4

275 GTB-4
  • Member

  • 8,274 posts
  • Joined: February 03

Posted 23 December 2013 - 06:12

I really hope I am wrong, such a pretty car, but I have heard more than once that covered trailers are sought after by druggies for transporting their paraphernalia or for setting up a bushland drug lab :well:



#6 Stinky

Stinky
  • Member

  • 122 posts
  • Joined: October 10

Posted 23 December 2013 - 06:49

Hullo All;

I trust I am terribly wrong but this sounds like a "steal to order job"

If you get my thoughts the car has been targeted for a specific reason.

The whole lot,trailer etc in a container and away to somewhere..

Probably overseas.

I think druggies would be not as selective as this.

They would not have the brains.

Post the theft on any overseas historic website you can.

I would most certainly pass this scenario on to the police.

Best of luck.

Roger.



#7 Lola5000

Lola5000
  • Member

  • 1,664 posts
  • Joined: August 08

Posted 23 December 2013 - 07:42

Hullo All;

I trust I am terribly wrong but this sounds like a "steal to order job"

If you get my thoughts the car has been targeted for a specific reason.

The whole lot,trailer etc in a container and away to somewhere..

Probably overseas.

I think druggies would be not as selective as this.

They would not have the brains.

Post the theft on any overseas historic website you can.

I would most certainly pass this scenario on to the police.

Best of luck.

Roger.

what like for the motor and put it in a glass case on display in the very private garage?

Years ago ,there was a Norton Manx stolen in Melbourne,its believed that was an order job for individuals garage.



#8 Stinky

Stinky
  • Member

  • 122 posts
  • Joined: October 10

Posted 23 December 2013 - 08:21

Hullo Lola;

Had not had your train of thought on the engine.

Agreed, a very historic piece of machinery.

Really, a Renmax would stck out over in Europe etc like a sore thumb.

If someone does want the engine as a bar feature they must have a very intimate knowlege of its history.

Be it here or overseas,

Only thing we can hope is that if the low lifes are caught they get more than the usual slap on the wrist.

I could make some comments about the theives but they would be most politically incorrect.

I think fifty lashes, a fair trial then hanging would be appropiate!!

Cheers. Roger.



#9 Lola5000

Lola5000
  • Member

  • 1,664 posts
  • Joined: August 08

Posted 23 December 2013 - 08:31

Hullo Lola;

Had not had your train of thought on the engine.

Agreed, a very historic piece of machinery.

Really, a Renmax would stck out over in Europe etc like a sore thumb.

If someone does want the engine as a bar feature they must have a very intimate knowlege of its history.

Be it here or overseas,

Only thing we can hope is that if the low lifes are caught they get more than the usual slap on the wrist.

I could make some comments about the theives but they would be most politically incorrect.

I think fifty lashes, a fair trial then hanging would be appropiate!!

Cheers. Roger.

i was reading Roger ,about the theft..it was factory broken into,the trailer was dragged out and hitched up,they were emplying it was planned.

 

cheers Rob.



#10 Gary C

Gary C
  • Member

  • 5,569 posts
  • Joined: January 01

Posted 23 December 2013 - 09:45

good luck, I hope you get the car & trailer back very soon.



#11 W154

W154
  • Member

  • 345 posts
  • Joined: May 10

Posted 30 December 2013 - 02:50

Bumped this to keep it on front page of TNF. Keep a lookout, that's a distinctive looking trailer.

#12 Ray Bell

Ray Bell
  • Member

  • 79,955 posts
  • Joined: December 99

Posted 30 December 2013 - 19:52

To my way of thinking, this was a truly great car...

 

I saw it on debut, I saw it in the hands of Paul Gibson, it looked so good and went well and led the Gibson team into an era of Repco V8s and showed us the level of innovation old Hoot could get into keeping cars on the track for his boys. 

 

It would be an absolute tragedy if it's lost...



#13 Jacer

Jacer
  • Member

  • 269 posts
  • Joined: November 06

Posted 30 December 2013 - 22:13

Up Date.

 

 

Hi All,


just an update to my heartache there is no news at all as to the whereabouts of the trailer and car. I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments and efforts to help recover the Rennmax, Please keep up the good work.  A bit of history about the car as some may not be a where.


Bob only made 4 sports cars in total mine is number one it was rear ended in we think its 2nd outing and rebuilt with a Repco engine number RB740 E16C out of Leo Geoghegans Lotus 39 and previously used by Sir Jack Brabham in 1967. After a long racing history in the hands of 1970 – 1972 with Doug McArthur 1972 – 1975 Barry Norman Randall and the Gibson family from 1975 - 2011I purchased the car it had been sitting for many years and it took a team of very talented very good friends 12 months and a hell of a lot of money to rebuild the car to the state it is in. This is the only one in the world with a Repco engine fitted and is very rare .


The Police think that there is little chance of getting it back in one piece and think it will be dumped and burnt. The only chance is to find the Trailer, so please help by keeping an open eye for it and relay the information to as many as we can.

Thanking every one very much


Regards

Jay Bondini

Rear ended at Warwick Farm on the grid? That was my race meeting as a kid. It was my first race watched and it happened right in front of me.



#14 Andrew Fellowes

Andrew Fellowes
  • Member

  • 753 posts
  • Joined: November 03

Posted 31 December 2013 - 02:36

Just to let you all know that so far nothing has come to light, here's hoping for better news in 2014.



#15 Andrew Fellowes

Andrew Fellowes
  • Member

  • 753 posts
  • Joined: November 03

Posted 31 December 2013 - 05:39

Trailer from another angle,

 

7vgh.jpg



#16 Ray Bell

Ray Bell
  • Member

  • 79,955 posts
  • Joined: December 99

Posted 31 December 2013 - 19:57

Yes, rear-ended on the grid at the Farm, Jacer, that was the first outing with the Repco V8 and a big disappointment for Doug IIRC...

 

I'm not sure whether or not it was the first outing with the front guards lowered over the new low profile tyres.



#17 Jacer

Jacer
  • Member

  • 269 posts
  • Joined: November 06

Posted 31 December 2013 - 20:50

Yes, rear-ended on the grid at the Farm, Jacer, that was the first outing with the Repco V8 and a big disappointment for Doug IIRC...

 

I'm not sure whether or not it was the first outing with the front guards lowered over the new low profile tyres.

Thanks Ray. Remember Doug getting out after and staggering around holding his helmet thinking he was hurt but it was understandable dissappointment instead.



#18 GreenMachine

GreenMachine
  • Member

  • 2,629 posts
  • Joined: March 04

Posted 06 January 2014 - 22:24

Just on the news here - trailer has been recovered, but not the car.



#19 W154

W154
  • Member

  • 345 posts
  • Joined: May 10

Posted 06 January 2014 - 23:21

Theft is now being publicized in MSM in Australia with photo's of the car. Hopefully this will help to recovery of the car.

Advertisement

#20 275 GTB-4

275 GTB-4
  • Member

  • 8,274 posts
  • Joined: February 03

Posted 06 January 2014 - 23:24

On ABC News as well...

http://www.abc.net.a...ace-car/5187386

Edited by 275 GTB-4, 06 January 2014 - 23:24.


#21 GreenMachine

GreenMachine
  • Member

  • 2,629 posts
  • Joined: March 04

Posted 06 January 2014 - 23:29

Yes, Canberra Times on line now has article and photos.



#22 Lola5000

Lola5000
  • Member

  • 1,664 posts
  • Joined: August 08

Posted 07 January 2014 - 01:20

Just on the news here - trailer has been recovered, but not the car.

My gut feel and i hope I'm very much wrong,reading where the trailer was found.

 

Car stripped of the valuable parts,motor,gearbox ect and the body,out to sea.

 

As i said hope I'm wrong.



#23 ron simmonds

ron simmonds
  • Member

  • 56 posts
  • Joined: October 09

Posted 07 January 2014 - 07:28

Good report on GTV9 tonight, also showed the VHRR clubrooms. An interview with the owner Jay, and also showed the BT19 which had a similar motor to the one stolen, and some nice footage from the Renmax on the circuit. As mentioned before, the trailer was found near Phillip Island, but no car. Lets keep our eyes open and ears to the ground, somebody will let it slip as to its whereabouts. Cheers Simmo.

#24 275 GTB-4

275 GTB-4
  • Member

  • 8,274 posts
  • Joined: February 03

Posted 07 January 2014 - 08:11

My gut feel and i hope I'm very much wrong,reading where the trailer was found.
 
Car stripped of the valuable parts,motor,gearbox ect and the body,out to sea.
 
As i said hope I'm wrong.


PI Fisherpersons...where are the jetty's or boat ramps (regular or locally used) near Cape Wollamai? :up:

 

PS any Motorsport loving Divers working these waters? :wave:


Edited by 275 GTB-4, 07 January 2014 - 08:13.


#25 Wirra

Wirra
  • Member

  • 1,326 posts
  • Joined: December 08

Posted 07 January 2014 - 10:38

Bloody hell - give me  break. Next you'll say the same Chinese sub that took Harold Holt was responsible.

 

I live in hope it will be recovered, intact, and that one day the engine will be reunited with the 39.



#26 Catalina Park

Catalina Park
  • Member

  • 6,766 posts
  • Joined: July 01

Posted 07 January 2014 - 11:02

Police have released a photo of a man who may have some more information....

 

harold-holt-flippers.jpg



#27 GeoffR

GeoffR
  • Member

  • 694 posts
  • Joined: January 04

Posted 07 January 2014 - 20:12

Has been found apparently ......

 

http://www.theage.co...0108-30fxc.html



#28 opplock

opplock
  • Member

  • 944 posts
  • Joined: January 10

Posted 07 January 2014 - 21:03

I can't access The Age article but  found this on ABC.net.au

 

"A passerby has found a $320,000 race car that was stolen from a compound in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs just before Christmas.

Thieves broke into a shed on Henderson Road in Rowville and stole a large trailer with the Australian-made 1970 Rennmax race car with a Repco Brabham engine on board.

Australian Formula One champion Jack Brabham raced the same model of engine in 1967.

The trailer was found on Phillip Island on Christmas Day and this morning, a passer-by found the car on the side the road at Belgrave South and called police.

The car will be returned to the owner, Jay Bondini, later today.

Mr Bondini said it had been a lifelong ambition to own and restore the car."

 

Fantastic news. I hope the car is not badly damaged and that someone has at least bought that passerby several large beers.



#29 ron simmonds

ron simmonds
  • Member

  • 56 posts
  • Joined: October 09

Posted 07 January 2014 - 21:39

This is great news, lets hope that there is not to much damage to the Renmax. We can now look forward to seeing the Renmax competing on the circuits again. Good work by all the different forums around the world by like minded people who help to spread the word. Cheers Simmo.

#30 brucemoxon

brucemoxon
  • Member

  • 1,005 posts
  • Joined: December 04

Posted 07 January 2014 - 22:10

Actually, I'd like to see the Police carry out a thorough forensic check of the car and lock the thieves away for a long, long time. Sharing a cell with Bubba.

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce Moxon



#31 Catalina Park

Catalina Park
  • Member

  • 6,766 posts
  • Joined: July 01

Posted 07 January 2014 - 22:18

Once Harold realised the Police were on to him he abandoned the car in a back street in Belgrave.
Guess it is back in the water for you Harold...

harold-holt-with-car.jpg



#32 JacnGille

JacnGille
  • Member

  • 2,802 posts
  • Joined: July 02

Posted 07 January 2014 - 22:21

:clap:



#33 Gary C

Gary C
  • Member

  • 5,569 posts
  • Joined: January 01

Posted 07 January 2014 - 22:32

excellent news



#34 Ian G

Ian G
  • Member

  • 1,393 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 07 January 2014 - 22:44

Yeah,but we need a pitch report,is the engine still intact?



#35 275 GTB-4

275 GTB-4
  • Member

  • 8,274 posts
  • Joined: February 03

Posted 07 January 2014 - 22:47

all's well that ends well :up: :up: :up:

 

 

(RIP Harold or hope you are enjoying the chou tucker)



#36 Catalina Park

Catalina Park
  • Member

  • 6,766 posts
  • Joined: July 01

Posted 07 January 2014 - 23:14

The latest news is the engine is still in it.  :clap:



#37 mymemoryfails

mymemoryfails
  • Member

  • 298 posts
  • Joined: October 10

Posted 08 January 2014 - 01:07

Such Wonderful News! Hopefully all is intact and not damaged.

Goes to show some of the power of media I guess too.

 

 

One of my favourites,..all hail the Prodigal Renmax! :clap:

 

I know some are a little troubled by engine appropriateness etc, but I think back to the biblical story where the father says " We HAVE (imperitive) to CELEBRATE. That which was lost is FOUND." :clap:

 

mymemoryfails



#38 Lee Nicolle

Lee Nicolle
  • Member

  • 11,036 posts
  • Joined: July 08

Posted 08 January 2014 - 02:12

Good news and hopefully the car is undamaged.

#39 GreenMachine

GreenMachine
  • Member

  • 2,629 posts
  • Joined: March 04

Posted 08 January 2014 - 02:24

Yes, great news.

 

I hope Andrew can stop by with an update on its condition ... please?



Advertisement

#40 Andrew Fellowes

Andrew Fellowes
  • Member

  • 753 posts
  • Joined: November 03

Posted 08 January 2014 - 02:59

I have been watching this thread as the news comes in so I have asked the question on condition.

I find the whole episode strange and always have done, the trailer could be used but the car? I suspect they got far more than they had bargained for.



#41 GreenMachine

GreenMachine
  • Member

  • 2,629 posts
  • Joined: March 04

Posted 08 January 2014 - 03:47

Yes, I think the 'power of the internet' had less to do with it, compared to 'hang on, this isn't what we expected/were looking for/were told about' ...

 

I wonder if the sign on the shed wall may not hold the key - maybe they were hoping the trailer held a WRX/R35 or something similar, that could be stripped and used/sold off as parts ...



#42 timbo

timbo
  • Member

  • 535 posts
  • Joined: December 07

Posted 08 January 2014 - 03:49

There was a piece about the Rennmax on Channel 9's midday news, including an interview with Jay Bondini.

The car looked remarkably intact, although will need a thorough going over, and Police were busy dusting it for fingerprints.



#43 Catalina Park

Catalina Park
  • Member

  • 6,766 posts
  • Joined: July 01

Posted 08 January 2014 - 04:35

I expect a Repco motor is harder to shift than a Chev motor.



#44 Ray Bell

Ray Bell
  • Member

  • 79,955 posts
  • Joined: December 99

Posted 08 January 2014 - 10:35

I find it difficult to believe that so many posting here can't spell 'Rennmax'...

 

In the meantime, ABC News did get the spelling right!

 

A truly beautiful car, it just had to be found.



#45 SJ Lambert

SJ Lambert
  • Member

  • 5,326 posts
  • Joined: March 09

Posted 08 January 2014 - 13:35

A fishy episode indeed, glad the car's still in one piece.

#46 DavidI

DavidI
  • Member

  • 98 posts
  • Joined: October 13

Posted 08 January 2014 - 22:40

I have been watching this thread as the news comes in so I have asked the question on condition.

I find the whole episode strange and always have done, the trailer could be used but the car? I suspect they got far more than they had bargained for.

 

 

Yes, I think the 'power of the internet' had less to do with it, compared to 'hang on, this isn't what we expected/were looking for/were told about' ...

 

I wonder if the sign on the shed wall may not hold the key - maybe they were hoping the trailer held a WRX/R35 or something similar, that could be stripped and used/sold off as parts ...

 

 

I expect a Repco motor is harder to shift than a Chev motor.

My personal gut feeling is that the trailer was stolen by persons expecting to find some sort of easily-parted-out drag/drift car, the sort of thing were you could flog the parts on eBay, then on opening it up went "What the hell is this thing?"

It's unlikely it was ever a "stolen to order" as it's not the sort of car someone would want on consignment, and someone in the Historic community evne overseas would spot it fairly quickly.

Other possibility was raised by someone on another forum, that the intent was just to steal the trailer and it just happened to have a valuable racing car inside - apparently these sorts of trailers are favoured by those transporting large volumes of illegal subtances.

Either way, I'm glad it's been found, and thankfully not torched - if it's been a little damaged it can be fixed relatively easily, but burnt....



#47 Andrew Fellowes

Andrew Fellowes
  • Member

  • 753 posts
  • Joined: November 03

Posted 09 January 2014 - 05:12

via Grant Campbell

This is a bit sad, but at least it's back and can be repaired.

I have finally had a chance to go over some of the car and it does not look good.

It was run and it is covered in mud and gravel .

The half shafts are bent and broken and the cars rims are bent on the right hand side rear where it has hit something.

The front RH side is sitting up 15 mm and the chassis may be bent and the alloy under tray is bent.

The wheels are pointing the wrong way, bent front end.

The rack looks bent but will have to have it looked at.

The bodywork will have to be repaired and fully repainted.

A new rear wing will be required as the old one is bent in the centre.

Gearbox and clutch will have to be inspected and tested as will all of the uprights and arms.

A new radiator and duct will have to be made.

The engine looks like it was cooked and it has no water in it.

A lot of small parts have been removed and it looks like they were going to paint it.

So basically a full rebuild from the ground up.

 

I would very much appreciate it if you could pass on my heartfelt thanks for all the help, support, positive comments and thoughts it was a great help knowing that I was not alone throughout this ordeal.

It goes to show us how close the different motor racing groups actually are.

 

Thanks Again

Jay Bondini

 

 

Interesting to speculate what type of individuals stole it, pure joy riders?


Edited by Andrew Fellowes, 09 January 2014 - 05:23.


#48 Catalina Park

Catalina Park
  • Member

  • 6,766 posts
  • Joined: July 01

Posted 09 January 2014 - 05:46

That's terrible.
I wonder if they were joy riding it and knocked the radiator off cooking the engine and leaving it stranded?
I would be looking along those roads to see if there is any debris or marks that provide clues to where it has been. (like burnout marks on a road straight in front of a house)



#49 Cargo

Cargo
  • Member

  • 244 posts
  • Joined: November 04

Posted 09 January 2014 - 07:24

reading through this thread and got to the bit where the car had been found, and found it heartwarming with a happy ending, etc  , but then read the post  listing the sorry state the car was in when found, and  become completely depressed...  :mad:

 

The thieves must be a bunch of morons.. hanging is too good for them,.,.,.



#50 Ray Bell

Ray Bell
  • Member

  • 79,955 posts
  • Joined: December 99

Posted 09 January 2014 - 08:10

I was talking to Bob this morning, he wasn't yet aware of the damage...

 

It will be a terrible shock for him. But I gather he'd be in a position to turn out some of the parts needed. Was there insurance?