I know that the name Brad Roberts isn't a very highly regarded name in these parts, but I know someone out there must know how to get a hold of him. Brief backstory (or as brief as I can make it):

About 12 years ago I met Brad at a 914club.com event. We had chatted about converting my 1973 1.7 to a 914-6. Soon the chats became serious, and I handed the keys over to Brad to do the conversion. Since then, there has been much turmoil surrounding Brad, the separation with the club site to the world site, a divorce, jail time, moving, new jobs and adventures, all the while he maintained that my car is almost done, just a couple more things to finish, just need a wiring harness, etc. Now, 12 (it may even be more, I stopped counting) years later I get a Notice of Stored Vehicle in the mail from some shop I've never heard of in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. They want me to pay $6050 (climbing another $100 by the day), or they are going to sell my car at a lien sale. I don't know why my car is there (last I saw it, it was at his house), and I've been desperately reaching out to Brad to try and find an explanation, but he hasn't returned any phone calls, and he hasn't responded to any of my text messages.

The shop is called So Cal Euro Werks, does anyone know if that is Brad's shop? I thought his was called Inland Empire something, but I've been known to be wrong before. Maybe he is trying to collect money from me for having the car for so long? I'm really just trying to get to the bottom of it, and I'm trying desperately to not assume the worst (which is that he has just absconded with my money/parts, and just left the car somewhere).

So if anyone out there has any way of communicating with Brad, has seen Brad, or knows how to get a hold of him, would you please tell him that Chris Killam is desperately trying to get a hold of him.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart, this car means the world to me, as it was my mothers, who passed away when I was 9 years old. She left the car to me, and it is really the only thing I have to remember her by. I just want my car back, finished or not. I don't even know if the car is complete right now.

I've attached a picture of the car, as it was when I gave it to him to do the conversion. Please help, I feel

Click to view attachment

Brm9138@yahoo

Pm me for his cell.

That is all I can do for you.

Rich

First, you need to call the police and get a court order in place to hold your car. Then you need to worry about Brad. He's active on Facebook all the time.

Wow. I wish you the best.
Listen to Mike Bellis.

Rick McCarthy

PM Blue6 on this site. He has PD contacts in the area.

I also have his current cell number, if you still need it.

Oh yeh ....
THAT SUCKS !!!!
I am so fucking sorry man. Try to stay positive.

Bummer, but 12 years.......who lets someone have his car for that long. Always two sides to every story. Good luck.

So Cal Euro Werks was a joint venture between Brad and Gus (don't remember his last name). Yes, several of us warned Gus about Brad and going into business with him. Brad kept running up bills but didn't pay his share. Gus was forced to take on the responsibility of keeping the business out of his pocket. In other words, Brad F__ked Gus.

Brad is no longer a legal part of the business.

The 914/6 is probably the one me, Gus and friends have discussed. Brad left it there with no paperwork whatsoever and disappeared into the sunset. Gus looked and looked for the owner and was unsuccessful until now. We were the ones who advised him to put a Mechanics Lien on it.

I know Gus well and he is a good, honest businessman, person and a Porsche lover. Talk to him!! .... (909) 527-3776. I don't know if I will see him Sunday, but I will see his close friend and will inform him of this thread.

As a further note ... don't bother trying to talk to BR. He's flash and no substance!!!

Chris, i just talked to a friend and it seems Gus can help you. Call Gus and I believed he is a nice guy and he already helped fixing two of our members car.

Bummer......


As on his FB profile..no idea how accurate I think I've spoken to him 2 or 3 times in the last 8 years for about 10 minutes total..

Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

C. S. Lewis

Unfortunately, Brad has proven to have no integrity.

So sorry to hear about your misfortune with Brad. From all accounts, he is nothing but a criminal -sadly.

But, it appears you may get lucky as several have vouched for Gus. I would go see Gus in person with pictures or whatever you have showing ownership and try to work something reasonable out to get the car released and on a flatbed that same day. Take cash. Maybe you can get it back for $1K?

I love that you are the eternal optimist when it comes to Brad....but his actions speak volumes. He should be locked up doing hard time for years. How many people does he have to hurt in our small community before he is completely shunned?

Best wishes and let us know what happens with your car.

Just a note, if the car is supposed to be in Brads hands and it's not, it's stolen. Since you didn't contract the shop to do work they can't charge you for anything. They would have to request compensation from Brad. They can't hold your car ransom.

But it sounds like the lien was the only way to find the owner, it doesn't sound like it will be a problem.

Too bad about Brad, we had some good teener talks.

And I thought I was a champion at giving people time to finish parts of my car. You get the award.

Maybe I'm Wrong but something to consider look over the car see what work has actually been done gather up your receipts on what you actually paid Brad,, compared to what has been done to the car? Maybe pay that money to GUS and all will be good.? That way Gus is recouping some of his money.. and maybe you're getting a deal on some of the work..? Hope that makes sense.

I understood it haha

It took me two seconds to find him on Facebook.

I talked to Gus. Gus has been talking to Chris or his wife has since last Thursday. Chris / Wife offered to give Gus a credit card for the $6k, but Gus refused saying that all they owed is $50.00 .... the cost of the Lien Sale paperwork.

Gus has offered to get the car mechanically sound as a driver (brakes, fuel lines, etc). After it's a driver, they will talk about a complete restoration of the vehicle. Engine is a 3.0L with the manifolding of a 3.2L (Motronic). Chris will view the car and determine what parts are there and if anything paid for is missing.

I told you Gus was a standup guy and yes, the Lien Sale was the only way to determine who owned the car.

'Nuff said .... all is good.

Gus sounds like a good biz owner. More than fair guy.

Good man.
Got off cheap for years of storage.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. Yes, I have talked with Gus, absolutely a stand up guy. The point of this thread was to try and get Brad to contact one of us. It seems like Brad has washed his hands of the situation and has decided to just dump my car. I have reciepts for every penny I have sent Brad, along with a description of what the money was for. If there is one bolt missing from the car, I'll have no choice now but to involve the police. I wanted to give Brad the benefit of the doubt, but it's painfully obvious now just what kind of person I've been dealing with all these years.

I guess if there is any silver lining here, it's that Brad left my car in the honest and capable hands of a great Porsche enthusiast like Gus!

-Chris

P.S. I look forward to posting progress pictures as the car is brought back to life. I'll also make sure to post before Brad and after Brad pictures in case any one else is duped into trusting him, maybe my story will help someone steer clear.

Odds are You are not the only one that has been taken advantage of by this guy.

Typically People like this do not operate in the black, they are always taking from Peter to pay Paul, operating in the red and juggling other peoples assets/cars to maintain some sort of cash flow. Ultimately like a Pyramid scheme things eventually come crashing in.

Part of this problem is also on the owner of the car.....I know, I know.. shouldn't blame the owner, but we are somewhat culpable to. We as responsible owners besides having a clear contract which is signed by both parties should also set up some ground rules that would prohibit this type of issue from happening. Whether it be closer watch on the car when being away for repairs, making further payments and supplying more parts only after verifiable progress has been and continues to be made as a part of the original agreement.

This world is full of unscrupulous people that are all to willing to separate you from your money without even blinking an eye.

I am very happy to hear that this all worked out and even better that the car is in good hands. Gus is a stand-up guy based upon how this was handled.

I hope they have big pictures of Brad posted all over the shop advising to call the police if that POS ever enters their shop again.

Are you going to fly down there and see the car? If it were me, I'd do a thorough review prior to taking any next steps. I'd also recommend focusing your dollars on the build. As pissed as I would be (and you can say I've been there ) the best feeling is getting on with things.

Great news....I don't think I've ever met Gus, sounds like an outstanding person. I'd gladly buy him a beer if I ever bump into him at an event!

I had long wondered about that car, and who it belonged to. I had seen it moved from various 'shops'. Never getting attention while other projects came along which in turn also suffered the same fate of abandonment at the almost-but-never-quite-done stage.

Maybe the car has appreciated in value over the years especially with a 3.6 in it? Maybe just pay the 6000$k and grab the car. If you got the notice of storage, that's the # they are looking for so that they don't complete the lien. The lien is in motion and you need to stop it. You could possibly file a stolen vehicle report & walk in there with the sheriff. By filing the lien they have "found" the vehicle - " thanks, no charges will be filed in the theft of my car if you release it...."

All the lawyering will maybe cost $6k anyway. Your car has really appreciated in value if still in good shape. That putz has wasted a lot of other people's time & money too - they are just trying to recover some value.

The car is not a 3.6 nor an original 914-6, read all the previous post and you will figure things out.

Fantastic News!



Chris, if there a Bolt or an Exhaust, I don't think the Police will give a Rat's Ass. You would have to go to Small Claims against Brad. But now you know how to find him. I've also got his Cell,but haven't talked to him in about a year.

Do yourself a favor and just deal with Gus and get your car back on track once it is in your "possession" again. Then, if you wish, have Gus do the work.

I would not waste the time going after the asshat Brad. That is throwing good time away for nothing.

!!!!

Hello, I'm Gus the party involved and mentioned on this thread.
I will like to make it clear to all that I had no intentions of keeping, ,selling or part out the 914 in question here.

I did not know who the owner of the car was, where it came from and what was need it so a Lien sale was the proper way to find out, $6000 dollars was going to filter out unwanted people claiming ownership so I proceeded and Chris responded.

Chris was told from the very beginning that the car was abandoned at my shop by Brad Roberts and that the 914 condition was very poor, Brad is unwanted far, near or at my shops front door and the reasons are about $25000 of them... so I think many can relate to it but I won't provide especific details... all I can say is that I found out too late about his GTA, the 914 prototype and the many that got nailed by him.

Chris will take possession of his car as soon as he can make it to my shop and his cost will be ONLY $50 to cover the cost of the lien sale processing fee after that is settled I can work on his car or he can take it home.

I'm not in the business of screwing people, my reputation is very important specially after the issues inherited courtesy of Brad Roberts, now I'm on my own doing everything possible to re start my business and make sure everyone is aware that I have no business or dealings with Brad Roberts.

My shop is at your service.

SOCALEUROWERKS
8800 ONYX AVE. SUITE C
RANCHO CUCAMONGA CA 91730

socaleurowerks@gmail.com

+19095273776

Thank you all for the support and the kind words.

Cheers.


Click to view attachment loClick to view attachmentClick to view attachment

GUS is a top dude, I have done business with him...

I suppose this is a hijack, but...



Why don't we ever get into specific details? Why is it that we won't air our dirty Brad laundry in public? And by 'we', I do mean me.

Are we all too embarrassed to admit our gullibility? Or worse, our willful ignorance? Maybe I have more regard for Brad the person, rather than Brad the sketchy businessman. But they are one in the same.

We certainly aren't doing the next guy any favors. And there will be one. Or many.

It serves no purpose to go into the details. The statement that doing business with BR is VERY risky and should be avoided is all that is needed. Let it die!

Obviously, the general statement wasn't sufficient.

I agree, no point in details

Brads reputation has been established beyond doubt. Gus, also without doubt is the polar opposite

From Gus's statement he wants to move as quickly away from Brads trail of ill will and criminality to re-establish the reputation of his shop. Bitching serves no purpose

In not commenting, Gus's credibility IMHO has just gone up further

Welcome Gus!

Sorry that it takes something like this to get you join up here, we hope you stay!

By the way, that is one huge tire on the Mahle rim in the background

Welcome Gus,
Your actions in helping someone you didn't know or have a vested interest says volumes about your character. If I ever need work done when I'm down there, I'd look you up.

Gus has been here , just not active. probably Doing Real Work..


I met BR once ..but he was to busy on the computer to be any real influence ....I would like to thank him for single handedly encouraging 914 owners to get way over their heads monetarily, and disappear..
leaving owners to post deals trying to recoupe some $$
Sad but True

GUS good job doing the right thing.. I look forward to see some progress info/photos on this 914-6 project..

To far away to use your shop Gus, but you'll be recommended by many to many more. Thanks.

This board has always been full of "Stand Up" guys.. Gus is a prime example!

Thanks GUS!