Restore Scott Brown's Stolen Car
Donation protected
WHAT HAPPENED
On October 4, 2017, I walked outside my house to run an errand, went to get into my car parked in front of the house, but it wasn’t there -- no trace of it to be seen.
8 days later it was recovered, after being abandoned. The interior was trashed and broken, personal items stolen, driver window broken, hood and front bumper smashed, and all 4 tires flattened. Not to mention the smell inside that will take some serious work to remove. Finding it in this state was devastating.
WHY IT MATTERS
This car used to belong to my mother, her pride and joy. After she passed, I purchased this car from my father in order to keep a little piece of her with me. Her pristine, 1992 Honda Prelude with 55k original miles on it!
So beyond any practical value, there is a tremendous amount of emotional and sentimental value wrapped up in this car. When the car was stolen, it broke my heart. When it was recovered in such a state, even though I wouldn’t have thought it was possible, I felt even worse. To find out more about this you can watch the video above.
From a practical perspective, as an actor, this car is vital to my livelihood. Gigs are often at short-notice and you have to be able to get to them. Without a car, I am unable to do the legwork required to audition, let alone go to a job once hired.
Since the car is 25 years old, it made no sense to carry full coverage - nor would most insurers even allow for it.
WHAT IS NEEDED
Because of this situation, I have depleted most of my savings, spending $3000 so far simply getting the car back into a drivable condition. It will require another $2000 to restore the car to its original shape due to hood and bumper damage, and another $1000 on top of that to get a security system that ensures this will never happen again. If I were to purchase a different car, it would cost at least as much as restoring this car, which also has a sentimental value that you just can’t put a price tag on.
EXPLANATION OF COSTS
Getting the car to a driveable state
Ignition Lock Cylinder
Upper Steering Column Cover
Turn Signal Switch
CAM, Turn Signal Switch
Left Inner Door Seal
Left Window Glass
Hood Latch/Release
Radiator
Replace all 4 Tires
Parts and Labor Cost - $3000
Restoration of exterior
Hood
Bumper Cosmetic Work
Paint to match
Parts and Labor Cost - $2000
Security/Audio
Installed Car Alarm
Installed Car Stereo
The Club - Already got one!
Parts and Labor Cost - $1000
Fees
GoFundMe/Payment Processing
Aproximate cost - $500
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS CAMPAIGN
I gave a lot of thought to putting this campaign out there at all. My partner and I have just returned to the country, we are both looking for work, and we are both living off of our savings. However, I recognize that there are people in much worse shape than we are at the moment. The car is now driveable. We will find work. I completely understand if you want to put your money elsewhere.
On the other hand, if in this time of crisis, you can help alleviate some of the costs of this drastic situation, I would be eternally grateful. You would help restore some of my sanity, some of my peace of mind, and something that is very important to me and the memory of my mother.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Please help spread the word, even if you can't contribute, helping to get the word out is just as important.
On October 4, 2017, I walked outside my house to run an errand, went to get into my car parked in front of the house, but it wasn’t there -- no trace of it to be seen.
8 days later it was recovered, after being abandoned. The interior was trashed and broken, personal items stolen, driver window broken, hood and front bumper smashed, and all 4 tires flattened. Not to mention the smell inside that will take some serious work to remove. Finding it in this state was devastating.
WHY IT MATTERS
This car used to belong to my mother, her pride and joy. After she passed, I purchased this car from my father in order to keep a little piece of her with me. Her pristine, 1992 Honda Prelude with 55k original miles on it!
So beyond any practical value, there is a tremendous amount of emotional and sentimental value wrapped up in this car. When the car was stolen, it broke my heart. When it was recovered in such a state, even though I wouldn’t have thought it was possible, I felt even worse. To find out more about this you can watch the video above.
From a practical perspective, as an actor, this car is vital to my livelihood. Gigs are often at short-notice and you have to be able to get to them. Without a car, I am unable to do the legwork required to audition, let alone go to a job once hired.
Since the car is 25 years old, it made no sense to carry full coverage - nor would most insurers even allow for it.
WHAT IS NEEDED
Because of this situation, I have depleted most of my savings, spending $3000 so far simply getting the car back into a drivable condition. It will require another $2000 to restore the car to its original shape due to hood and bumper damage, and another $1000 on top of that to get a security system that ensures this will never happen again. If I were to purchase a different car, it would cost at least as much as restoring this car, which also has a sentimental value that you just can’t put a price tag on.
EXPLANATION OF COSTS
Getting the car to a driveable state
Ignition Lock Cylinder
Upper Steering Column Cover
Turn Signal Switch
CAM, Turn Signal Switch
Left Inner Door Seal
Left Window Glass
Hood Latch/Release
Radiator
Replace all 4 Tires
Parts and Labor Cost - $3000
Restoration of exterior
Hood
Bumper Cosmetic Work
Paint to match
Parts and Labor Cost - $2000
Security/Audio
Installed Car Alarm
Installed Car Stereo
The Club - Already got one!
Parts and Labor Cost - $1000
Fees
GoFundMe/Payment Processing
Aproximate cost - $500
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS CAMPAIGN
I gave a lot of thought to putting this campaign out there at all. My partner and I have just returned to the country, we are both looking for work, and we are both living off of our savings. However, I recognize that there are people in much worse shape than we are at the moment. The car is now driveable. We will find work. I completely understand if you want to put your money elsewhere.
On the other hand, if in this time of crisis, you can help alleviate some of the costs of this drastic situation, I would be eternally grateful. You would help restore some of my sanity, some of my peace of mind, and something that is very important to me and the memory of my mother.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Please help spread the word, even if you can't contribute, helping to get the word out is just as important.
Organizer
Scott C. Brown
Organizer
Seattle, WA