Global Community Joins Forces to Recover Stolen R32 Skyline GT-R

The Power of Social Media: How One Man’s Rare Car was Stolen and then Recovered in Just 44 Hours

In a bizarre and remarkable turn of events, a 1993 Nissan Skyline GT-R was stolen from its owner, Thomas Bristol, in the middle of the night. However, thanks to the power of social media, the car was recovered just 44 hours later.

Bristol, a car enthusiast, appeared on the Automotive ADHD podcast to recount the story of how his rare JDM sports car was stolen. The thieves were not discreet, smashing through Bristol’s garage door and snatching the Skyline.

The thieves used a second-generation Subaru Impreza to smash the door and make off with the Skyline. After the theft, a friend of Bristol’s posted a public alert on Denver-area automotive Facebook groups, warning other enthusiasts to keep an eye out for the stolen car.

The Power of Social Media

The post quickly went viral, and soon, people were sending in tips and sightings of the stolen car. Bristol said, "People had seen a Skyline driving south on I-25, they pulled out their phones to take a picture, people don’t see those very often. Then, they maybe got home or got to work and saw the post on the Facebook groups and said, ‘Hey, I just saw that car.’"

Real-time Updates and a Community Effort

The updates poured in, with people actively searching for the car, driving around, and looking for any sign of the stolen Skyline. Bristol said, "People were actively searching the city, driving around, looking for the car… I didn’t feel like police were able to take action the way I wanted to."

The Car is Found

After a 44-hour search, the stolen Skyline was found abandoned in the Black Forest area. Bristol believes the thieves got spooked when they saw the social media frenzy surrounding the theft and abandoned the car.

A Lesson Learned

The story of the stolen and recovered Skyline serves as a testament to the power of social media and the community of car enthusiasts. As Bristol said, "It got a lot of attention pretty quickly, and I got my rare car back after social media groups spotted it in Colorado Springs."

The Road to Recovery

Although the car is still being held as evidence, Bristol is hoping to get it back and possibly take it for a spin. "I don’t drive much, but I think I’ll do it this time," he said.

A Rare Car, a Rare Story

Bristol’s 1993 R32 Skyline GT-R was imported from Japan in 2017 for around $20,000. The car had 67,000 miles on it when he bought it and had its suspension, wheels, and tires replaced. The engine block is believed to be from an R34.

Lessons Learned

The story of the stolen and recovered Skyline serves as a reminder that technology and social media can be powerful tools in solving crimes and bringing people together to achieve a common goal. As Bristol said, "I’m just really grateful for everyone online who commented on the post and gave some information and helped out. From beginning to end, it was 44 hours. My car was stolen, and they recovered it 44 hours later."

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