Full Story





Forty-six years ago Ivan Schneider, a successful Manhattan lawyer, bought himself the Jaguar convertible that would feature in a most unusual tale of unrequited love.

It was the first (and "prettiest") of many luxury cars he would own, his companion on fast drives — and the only one that was ever stolen.

Forty-six years later, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol analyst running a routine export check through a stolen car database came up with a hit. The 1967 Jaguar XKE was hot.

The problem: It was already on a cargo ship, in a container, headed for the Netherlands, two days out of the Port of Long Beach on the Pacific Ocean.

Investigators with the California Highway Patrol and nonprofit National Insurance Crime Bureau got to work.

New York police still had the March 1968 incident report.

CHP investigator Michael Maleta spoke with Schneider in Florida, where he now lives. Schneider thought it was a prank.

"After we convinced him, he was excited," said Maleta.

After all, Schneider told The Associated Press on Wednesday, he would think of the car every time he bought a new one. And, he said, he is a car guy who has owned quite a few exotics.

For the months he owned it, he was in love.

"I've always said that was the prettiest," Schneider, now 82, said.

Tracing the car's history, Maleta learned the Southern California man exporting it to the Netherlands had bought it about three months ago from an owner in the San Joaquin Valley, who himself had it 40 years.

What happened between its disappearance from the concrete canyons of the Upper East Side and its California sojourn — Maleta hopes his investigation will answer that.

After its out-and-back sea journey to the Netherlands, the car is back in Southern California, more than two months after the law finally found it.

It's rusty and scratched, but still worth about $24,000 — and far more if restored, as Schneider plans to do.

He just won't push it too hard.

It's old, so is he, and though beautiful it is known for trouble under the hood.

"I'll use it as a Sunday car," Schneider said. "They were never reliable."

I've always thought that was on of the most beautiful cars ever made. I owned a 1970 E-type coupe in 1996, great car but like the article said not a good everyday driver. If you have never heard that double overhead cam straight six with the triple carb setup you should try to find one just to listen to it idle. Even the motor was a work of art.

quote Originally posted by Csjag: If you have never heard that double overhead cam straight six with the triple carb setup you should try to find one just to listen to it idle. Even the motor was a work of art.

High-school friend of mine, his dad owns a '69. When I saw the size of the block I refused to believe that it was a straight six because of how loud it was. He laughed & began to explain the history of U.S. emission regulations.

His should have the triple carb setup so you know what I mean, one of the great cars.

I liked the XKEs of that era a lot. Glad to hear the gentleman got his Jag back after all this time.
I've told the story (of the hot rod race) before. When I came back from overseas for the frst time in mid 1971, got stationed outside Memphis Tenn at a Navy base and started looking for a car. I was 21. Found a '61 vette early the next year, 283 power pack but with a powerglide behind it and about once every 3 months made the trip from memphis to my hometown near Houston Texas--sometimes leaving Friday afternoon--sometimes getting a 3 day pass. Either way, it was right at 1200 miles round trip, and in those days of being young dumb and liking higher speeds than an open interstate legally allowed, I often exceeded the limit. Returning one Sunday afternoon just west of Little Rock Ark on I 40, doing about 75, an XKE passed me. I couldn't let that stand, and pushed the 283 and caught up beside him and we stayed together for about 60-70 miles, often doing 100. When we hit the flat delta country over near Forrest City, he looked over at me, nailed it, and off he went--effortlessly. I pushed that 283 for all it had, but never gained a bit on him. Been in awe of the XKEs ever since, but could never find one I could afford.

I wonder if he has to pay back the insurance co. You know he had it, and bought another.

While its nice to have it back, all that time of not being able to drive it, and so much older now that he may not be able to, even after its fixed...

Hard to say Nurb. I know some 80 year olds that can't walk from sofa to the bathroom and others in agriculture, that can out do me in all aspects.

Screw the Jag. Is that blue 'Vette in the background up for grabs?