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I wondered what happened to “the most documented festival pace car in history”. Wow, eBay can be a great place to sell and buy from mostly reputable people, but when some change usernames and misrepresent what they are selling, it’s buyer beware.
Good observation! Same "Joe from Itasca. " except the location is listed as Wood Dale, Illinois instead of Itacha, Illinois. I'm not familiar with the distance, but you have pinpointed the same guy! You can also tell by his story. Also, the same cell number, 630 273 7595
Last edited by twilightblue28A; September 2nd, 2019 at 08:18 AM.
Check out the "Seller's Other Items" in the Ebay advertisement. You will see a '70 GTO the seller also has listed for sale. Please review the sellers location in Illinois!!!!
I saw the GTO as well, and his new location is three minutes from Itasca - suburban Chicago. I don’t understand the concept of misrepresentation - if you oversell something it just leads to disappointment - present it as it is! Here’s hoping he and others clean up their act
I'm guessing it is the same vehicle that is in the pics. And from those pics and the description it is a very nice car with great documentation and a really neat story. But history shows a car is hardly as good as the pics show. The car was "converted to a 442, everything but the deck lid key surround" - well what about the engine and the trans. He doesn't claim that those were changed but also doesn't point out that they were not. It is a neat story but badges do not change a Cutlass into a 442. Is the auction completed or was it pulled, link doesn't even work anymore..
This guy has a history of pulling items before they’re over, and relisting under another user name. Very sketchy. Some on this forum have said they’ve actually seen his cars and they are typically not as advertised - I cannot attest to that personally, all I can say is buyer beware.
I would never send down payment to anyone for a car on eBay until I had confirmation that the (clear) title and the VIN match, and that the car is as advertised. It’s easily worth $100 or perhaps 150 to have a local expert assess the car if you can’t in person.
This is "Joe from Itasca" with a "new" location of Chicago, Illinois. He simply broadened his location to Chicago.
Same number: "My cell # is 630 273 7595 if you have any questions...I know these cars pretty well."
Call and ask about the car. You'll hear a story......
Just noticed our friend Joe listed ‘his’ 1970 pace car again on eBay - under ANOTHER username. As a Cutlass not a 442. I highly recommend anyone considering doing business with this guy google “Joe Cipolla scam”.
Kind of funny to think it's meaning of "north side master tech" but based on his "garage" feedback, that's a huge misnomer. ALL his feedback with that name is as a buyer, never as a seller. He's been accused of super sloppy work working on people's cars, although advertises how great he is as a former GM dealership tech, and also accused of stealing cars, never paying back money, all sorts of ill crap. This guy is a real winner all around. I've always heard of these types of A-holes but never actually knew they existed.
Been cruising the internet piecing things together and this is one whacked out dude. Serious social and legal issues. I'd steer very clear of this one. You've been warned.
Yikes. An Honest #2 car. Car isn't even honest, let alone the "seller" if he even HAS this car in his possession. I don't care what he has, I'd never bother to see what this guy is selling.
Public service announcements like this are beneficial. This is not even a "maybe" problem guy or one-off mistakes. This guy seriously is a fraudster and has a long history of fugging people over.
Seems like the same guy here- "maybe" haha : https://gossip.thedirty.com/gossip/c.../#post-2078572
"My reason for selling is I am in the aviation business, and need the storage space for another airplane! 630 273-7595....car is for sale on other venues and auction will absolutely be ended in the event of a local sale...this car is priced to SELL!"
And as mentioned before, keeps switching ebay usernames:
He claims "Fortunately, the original engine was saved, and it comes with the car."
BUT (from website admin): "Under the hood is the 1959 replacement engine. There is no picture of the original engine, nor is there a mention of the horsepower rating."
I would LOVE to ask the winning bidder on ebay if he ever receives the original engine.
Oh, and when you google his aviation business, yelp says "closed".
Last edited by oldmustang; October 26th, 2019 at 09:30 AM.
Reason: added text
I would love to be standing next to the winning bidder when he/she suddenly realizes how f**ked they just got when they go to pick up the car from this loser. I'd love to hear all the excuse stories conjured up.
To my thinking, the vehicle condition is substantially as-advertised. I plan to update in a few weeks after "Joe's business partner" in Itasca gets a chance to continue cooperating with cleaning up the Title and getting me the Build Sheet. I suspect he/they have seen these threads too.
Interested in your comments - yes there was a "story;" what can I say, I wanted a '70-71 drop-top with 4-on-the-floor, am prepared to work through some weird maintenance stuff and am not too hung up on the cosmetics. My photos after payment & physical delivery:
We will be very interested in hearing the full story - best of luck with your four-speed convertible. Your first Oldsmobile - or are you re-living your favorite car from high school as I, and many of us on here are!
Last edited by vCode442; December 5th, 2019 at 09:41 PM.
I have responded to the purchaser to determine whether or not he has received title, method of payment, Interstate or intrastate purchase and other details to lend advice. The purchaser has not responded???
The title that was presented to me *may* have been released to my Seller, but "Joe" began filling out the Buyer part w/o signing it or re-titling it. So DMV wouldn't process w/o a Bill of Sale. My contact, "Joe's business partner:"
"I'm on it"
& then:
"I totally forgot about this, I'll get to it tomorrow"
& then:
"This number has been disconnected" (the # in this thread, haven't tried it the last few days)
& then did some sleuthing, dug up another #:
texted me back Monday "dunno what happened here, send the title back so I can re-title it." He should receive it any day now Registered USPS.
This Seller has clearly been dishonest with me on several levels, playing like he's just a dumbass rather than a criminal. Best case: Title nonsense is a delaying tactic, for example with respect to paying IL taxes on the purchase. Worst case: The title wasn't legally released to my Seller. Unlikely that it's stolen, but legal title might cost me more than I bargained for...
The title that was presented to me *may* have been released to my Seller, but "Joe" began filling out the Buyer part w/o signing it or re-titling it. So DMV wouldn't process w/o a Bill of Sale. My contact, "Joe's business partner:"
"I'm on it"
& then:
"I totally forgot about this, I'll get to it tomorrow"
& then:
"This number has been disconnected" (the # in this thread, haven't tried it the last few days)
& then did some sleuthing, dug up another #:
texted me back Monday "dunno what happened here, send the title back so I can re-title it." He should receive it any day now Registered USPS.
This Seller has clearly been dishonest with me on several levels, playing like he's just a dumbass rather than a criminal. Best case: Title nonsense is a delaying tactic, for example with respect to paying IL taxes on the purchase. Worst case: The title wasn't legally released to my Seller. Unlikely that it's stolen, but legal title might cost me more than I bargained for...
Thanks for responding. Although you have possession of the car, you are not the legal owner without title for the car in your name. You can never register the car, insure the car, unless and until you are the legal owner.
You have waited six (6) months for the title?
My advice is go to the State Attorney General's Office. Bring your cancelled check any other documents relating to your purchase. You will also need the seller's name and address, telephone number, if applicable, and any other documents relating to your transaction. Your State's Attorney General's Office will assign an attorney to investigate and prosecute the case. Once the reported seller is contacted by the AG's Office, it is not uncommon for the seller to provide the required documents to title the car, assuming the seller is the lawful owner of the car.
Do not delay. No more stories. Time is of the essence.
Please keep me informed.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO DISCLOSE TO THE SELLER OR THE SELLERS REPRESENTATIVES THAT YOU HAVE UNDERTAKEN ANY ACTION.
Last edited by twilightblue28A; December 5th, 2019 at 08:59 PM.
Thx, wanna see a little more b4 I go law-enforcement on his ***. My contact is either a Licensed Dealer, like he claims, in which case I'll work that angle, or at the very least he's guilty of IL Use Tax fraud. Not real confident I can get my State's AG interested, but maybe.
Last edited by VoodooChil'; December 5th, 2019 at 09:08 PM.
Despite the seller Joe’s lack of transparency - and probable criminal behavior - it looks like you have a rare 4 speed convertible. Best of luck sorting out the title issues and good luck on the restoration. Justice can be rare in this world and seeking it can often wear one out, however I do advocate reporting your issues to the authorities.
And - welcome to Oldsmobile!
Last edited by vCode442; December 6th, 2019 at 08:47 AM.
Well, if the "Joe Team" is reading any of these posts, then they'll figure out fast they're on the radar. So not telling him is prudent, but unlikely they wouldn't find out some other way. Keep after them, though. Your state's authorities may not do anything, but the complaints likely should be with Illinois. And tell them he's doing it likely to avoid taxes and they'll be on him like a hobo on a ham sandwich. Illinois needs your tax money!!!
What a bunch of crock this azzwipe is. It's sad to see this. As mentioned, don't wait. Keep pressure on the situation or they'll figure out more ways to drag feet and blow you off. The longer it drags out, the better it is for them, and you still can't legally do squat with your car.
What's even sadder is that the authorities are seemingly turning their heads to this type of shady dealings and potential/outright fraudulent business practices. This clown should be in jail. For a long long time. He's one of the worst the human race has produced. Could be worse, he could be a violent serial killer or something, but blatantly ripping off people...he's giving used car salesmen a bad name, and that's pretty tough to do.
Good luck with your title. I have a feeling you're probably in for a long slog. When I first got my 69, and those with Lansing cars know what I'm talking about, if you don't look real carefully, the "M" on the VIN plate may be misconstrued for an "H" by someone who isn't familiar with that era's VIN numbers, at least that's apparently what happened to me. Every other number was correct, but when I got it off the 2nd owner, someone must have wrote the VIN with an H instead of an M and I never caught it on the title until I went to title it in my name. Every other character was correct to the car. I had to drive the car up to the DMV so they could verify it. I even brought my GM documentation of 1969 VIN information to show there was no H for 69 as a plant code. They were satisfied and I got it titled under the correct VIN with an "M".
Thx, wanna see a little more b4 I go law-enforcement on his ***. My contact is either a Licensed Dealer, like he claims, in which case I'll work that angle, or at the very least he's guilty of IL Use Tax fraud. Not real confident I can get my State's AG interested, but maybe.
Don't understand your hesitation, 6 months WTF, twilightblue gave good advice. I would follow his advice and get the LAW on his azz.
Thx, I'd reached out to the Title holder at the P.O. Box shown on the Pink Slip and today got a phone call from a very sweet older lady who seems happy to help. I'll feel better when I get all the paperwork together, but she alleviated my biggest worries. Best case now might just be that USPS gives up on finding someone to sign for my parcel (reportedly in Chicago Sunday but successful delivery not reported yet) and just returns the original title to me unopened.
More good news, but I'll save details for later. Anyone know Mike Craig (RIP) in the Ozarks (Central MO)? I spoke w/ his widow this morning & would love to hear more from any one who dealt with him...
Last edited by VoodooChil'; December 15th, 2019 at 09:40 PM.
Good to hear you are making progress. Just curious, did you receive the second (original) hood that was advertised in the ad? He seems to mention extra items but never includes them.
Also, what was the phone number you were able to reach him? It's helpful to know the number for google searches.
The number I have reached "Joe from Itasca" has always been the cel number in threads two (2) and nineteen (19).
Others may have have another number, but the number in my posts is the only accurate information provided.
Last edited by twilightblue28A; December 26th, 2019 at 11:23 AM.
Good to hear you are making progress. Just curious, did you receive the second (original) hood that was advertised in the ad? He seems to mention extra items but never includes them.
Also, what was the phone number you were able to reach him? It's helpful to know the number for google searches.
The original hood did ship with the vehicle & appears in good condition. I was consulted before the trailer was loaded and my suggestion for shipment was followed with good results. Haven't found that "original jack" yet & only seen photos of the "Build Sheet," but there were a couple milk-crates in the trunk with spare trim & stuff: whatevs...
I've intentionally been vague about some details in my posts because it's the internet and I don't think it's appropriate to make the other # infinitely searchable any more than I want my contact info to be. My impression is that the # in this thread is for a "burner phone" that is activated while a listing is up and that the other # I found is one that "Team Joe" uses day-to-day. I'm just adding color to this narrative, not trying to burn the guy(s) down (for now), but anyone that's been presented with the name of the LLC associated with the wire transfer I made can find my cell # on Yelp and I don't mind sharing privately after a brief meeting-of-minds. I've recently heard from 2 buyers who are cool with the machinery they received but are frustrated by paper-work BS: I haven't got updates from either one (as I requested).
I intend to update again once my transaction is finalized and I've given "Team Joe" the chance to come clean to me privately. In the mean-time: my advice is to deal only face-to-face or through an escrow agent selected by the Buyer (at the expense of the Seller).
My driver-for-life is back on the road and runnin' strong after working through a rotten fuel-line/tank system (still gotta figger out how to anchor some front seat belts) I post progress publically on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSeanald/...9426467&type=3
2 new ebay listings from "Team Joe" and, btw, the Y74 sold the other day:
September 1st, 2019 | 06:48 PM
Bought from "Joe from Itasca"
Good news (I think)
