Bob Toto Toto's Classic Cars Took my classic car and 50% deposit for restoration with no intent to deliver, as promised via signed contract. Tampa, Florida

If you have a car hauler or rent one, have your title and pictures of the parts you supplied the shop. Then the contract, parts list, receipts, etc. and call the city/county police dept and set up and visit to recover your property. Don't give the shop a heads up, just do it during regular business hours. In some states withholding someone's property is theft.

That least this will start the ball rolling. Maybe get a lawyer involved and take the lawyer with you too. Have a court order releasing your property, if required etc. If they refuse to release it, just tell the cop right there in front of them, you want to report your car stolen and being worked on in a "CHOP SHOP".

You state you signed a contract. If he is not living up to his end, start with a legal letterhead notice and work your way to small claims court. Better hurry before this guy files bankruptcy.

As far as him being in default with his mortgage and facing foreclosure..welcome to the USA in 2010. You also state "He's screwed unsuspecting investors, business associates, suppliers and who knows who else that hasn't taken the initiative to come forward."..

Hmm...who else has been getting away with this?..Wall Street ring a bell? Heck just do a little reading on this site..seems like an epidemic with many businesses.

Once again, welcome to the USA in 2010.

As stated, you may need to sue this guy or just cut your losses and get your car out of there before it ends up on an auction block.