Over 30 classic car enthusiasts in Quebec face potential financial loss after discovering their vehicles were reported stolen in Ontario. Christian Raymond learned his 1969 Mustang Shelby, purchased for $52,000, was among them. The issue stems from illegal sales by Robert Bradshaw and Gary Leblanc, who sold almost 160 cars without the rightful owner’s knowledge. Now, victims like Raymond must negotiate steep fees for ownership rights, leading to uncertainty and distress among those affected.
Over 30 classic car enthusiasts in Quebec recently faced a shocking predicament as they may need to pay hefty sums to reclaim ownership of their vehicles, which were flagged as stolen in Ontario.
“When I called the SAAQ to arrange my annual storage, I was told that my car, a 1969 Mustang Shelby I had owned for two years, had been reported stolen,” recalls Christian Raymond. “I was in disbelief.”
Mr. Raymond purchased his classic Mustang for $52,000 from a private seller, who acquired it from a certain Robert Bradshaw, a former employee of a dealership in London, Ontario. Unbeknownst to him, this transaction would soon spiral into a nightmare.
At the time of sale, Mr. Raymond was unaware that Bradshaw had never transferred the vehicle’s title to his buyer. The rightful ownership actually belonged to Larry Grogan, the proprietor of a prominent classic car dealership in the London area, who was completely oblivious to the unauthorized sale.
This scheme, orchestrated over several years, involved Bradshaw and his accomplice Gary Leblanc selling close to 160 vehicles, many vintage, without Grogan’s consent. Following a police operation in May that seized 45 cars valued at $3 million, both Bradshaw and Leblanc were arrested, facing charges of theft and fraud. Grogan subsequently reported all affected vehicles as stolen, initiating chaos for the buyers.
Despite efforts to contact Grogan for his side of the story, there has been no response.
A Bitter Surprise
Initially, these cars passed the SAAQ’s mechanical inspections without any issues when they arrived in Quebec. This allowed new owners to obtain license plates with ease.
In Stoke, Eastern Townships, a dealership obtained a dozen vehicles through Leblanc. Owner Carl Vaillancourt confirmed that he sold all of them, completely unaware they were stolen.
Mathieu Girard and Bianka Loubier now find themselves with an unusable 1983 Monte Carlo SS, which they had intended as a wedding gift. “We were devastated when I checked my SAAQ account and saw the note indicating it was a stolen vehicle,” Mathieu shared. “I tried to get more information, but the agents couldn’t provide clarity.”
Another dealer in Quebec reportedly sold over twenty cars involved in Bradshaw’s fraudulent activities.
Financial Burdens
The difficulties are far from over for the affected Quebecers, who want to retain their vehicles into which they’ve invested thousands. Larry Grogan demands substantial payments to transfer ownership back to them.
“He wants more than $50,000—almost the entire amount I paid for my car,” expressed Christian Raymond in frustration. “I can’t possibly pay for my vehicle twice. It’s just not feasible, and I have little confidence in the situation.”
Mathieu Girard faced a similar scenario, with Grogan requesting $13,000 to transfer ownership of his car. He also raised concerns regarding the ongoing thefts. “It’s hard to believe that he went four years without realizing almost 200 vehicles were stolen from him,” he remarked.
Following the investigation in Ontario, several individuals have had their cars confiscated by law enforcement. There is uncertainty regarding whether the same fate will befall Quebec purchasers if they cannot secure an out-of-court resolution with Grogan soon.
Meanwhile, these two Quebecers are exploring legal action against the sellers of their vehicles.
Numerous Victims in Quebec
Christian Raymond
Vehicle: 1969 Mustang Shelby
Paid at purchase: $52,000
Requested amount for rights: $52,000
“Upon calling the SAAQ for my storage, I learned my car had been reported stolen. I couldn’t believe it.”
Mathieu Girard
Vehicle: 1983 Monte Carlo SS
Paid at purchase: $8,400
Requested amount for rights: $13,000
“Our vehicle passed Quebec mechanical inspection. I checked RDPRM and Carfax—no alerts prior to purchase. We only found out in September, even though it was reported stolen in May. I drove it all summer!”
What to Do If Your Vehicle is Reported Stolen
- Before purchasing, check the vehicle’s Registre des droits personnels et réels mobiliers (RDPRM) to avoid nasty