Wayne and Mona Evoy from Napanee, Ont., are among dozens of classic car enthusiasts caught in a devastating Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigation. After purchasing a 1934 Ford Coupe in 2021 for $30,000, the Evoys never suspected any issues until July 2024, when police informed them their dream car had been stolen. Despite owning and registering the vehicle for three years, it was seized and carted away, leaving them heartbroken.
The Evoys are not alone. Over 200 vintage vehicles have been seized by the OPP, following a complaint from a Watford, Ont., car dealer who accused his business partner of fraudulently transferring titles and selling stolen cars. The investigation, which began in December 2023, has left many former car owners in shock, unable to comprehend how their prized possessions were suddenly declared stolen.
Dozens of victims, like Roger Major, whose 1972 Chevy Cheyenne was taken, face the difficult reality of losing cars they’ve owned for years without any compensation. Insurance companies refuse to cover losses on retroactively declared stolen vehicles, and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) cannot compensate buyers because the sellers involved were not licensed dealers.
The case has left a trail of devastated classic car owners across Ontario, searching for answers and grappling with the loss of their beloved vehicles.
