Lancia Stratos court battle: father wins
Court decides cars were loaned not given; son set to appeal decision...
The case hinged on whether Ernst Hrabalek had loaned or given his four Lancia Stratos to his son, Chris Hrabalek, back in 2000. Ernst Hrabalek claimed that he had merely allowed his son to borrow the cars repeatedly over the last 15 years, while Chris Hrabalek believed the cars had been gifted to him.
Much as we'd like to own four Lancia Stratos, it seems a huge shame that such a dispute was allowed to go all the way to the High Court in London, which yesterday decided in favour of Ernst Hrabalek.
"Court cases are always upsetting, but ten times more so when it involves close family members," said Chris Hrabalek, in a statement issued by his solicitors, Goodman Derrick, "I am very disappointed by the outcome of the trial. This dispute between my father and me has been ongoing for over four years and has spanned three countries. The fact that the outcome was favourable to me in Austria and Germany makes this High Court ruling in England particularly hard."
And it might not be over yet - Chris Hrabalek is seeking permission to appeal the court's decision. Begging the question, from an outsider's perspective, of how much longer it will be before the costs of the legal action get close to the very considerable value of the cars in question...
In the meantime, cheer yourself up a bit by watching this again.
My Dad was a real petrolhead and he and I shared many cars and bikes.
Regrettably, he died at the ripe old age of 63.
I would give anything to spend a couple of hours with him. To tell him how his grand daughters turned out and to have a laugh about all the daft cars and bikes that I have owned during the last 13 years.
My Dad was a real petrolhead and he and I shared many cars and bikes.
Regrettably, he died at the ripe old age of 63.
I would give anything to spend a couple of hours with him. To tell him how his grand daughters turned out and to have a laugh about all the daft cars and bikes that I have owned during the last 13 years.
The cars are a 1971 Lancia Stratos HF, a 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Silhouette Turbo, A 1975 Lancia Stradale Street Car and a 1975 Lancia Stratos Safari."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-ord...
My Dad was a real petrolhead and he and I shared many cars and bikes.
Regrettably, he died at the ripe old age of 63.
I would give anything to spend a couple of hours with him. To tell him how his grand daughters turned out and to have a laugh about all the daft cars and bikes that I have owned during the last 13 years.
I have to say that's one of the most well written, poignant and emotional things I've read on Pistonheads in a long time. In fact, is it me, or is it 'a bit dusty in here'....
Even if my father were to give me something he owned id just be greatful. If he asked for it back. I'd give it back because I hadn't paid anything for it.
Sons needs to learn some decency
I didn't realise they were actually Daddy's cars, I just assumed he'd bought them with Daddy's money...
M
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff