LOS ANGELES - A bright red 1981 Ferrari that was stolen 28 years ago was discovered by federal agents in Los Angeles just as it was about to be shipped to Poland.
The stolen Ferrari is shown in a photo released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on April 14, 2016.
The 1981 Ferrari 308 GTSi was discovered on April 8th, having been described incorrectly on a manifest and using a fake Vehicle Identification Number, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Ferrari had been stolen in 1987 from a consignment lot in Orange County, California, according to the release.
The owner, who was compensated by his insurance company long ago, wishes to remain anonymous, the release stated.
The Ferrari model is similar to the one driven by actor Tom Selleck as a Hawaii private investigator in the 1980s television show "Magnum P.I."
Listed as a “1982 Ferrari,” the vehicle was using a VIN that had already been assigned to a 1982 Ferrari 308 GTS that was exported from the U.S. to Norway via Germany in 2005.
“This VIN discrepancy is what ‘raised a red flag’ and prompted further scrutiny,” said federal customs Seaport Port Director Carlos Martel. “Such keen attention to details by CBP officers is commendable, especially considering they process a daily average of 500 vehicles intended for export.”
The stolen Ferrari is shown in a photo released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on April 14, 2016.
The vehicle has 45,000 miles on it and an estimated value of $50,000.
A Ferrari factory expert helped identify the vehicle, and the original VIN led to a police report for the 1987 theft.
A spokeswoman for customs at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach complex said the officer involved reported the seizure occurred at the Port of L.A.
There was no immediate word on who was shipping the car out of the country, or who was supposed to receive it.
