$500K Engine Swap Fraud Lands Resto Shop Owner With 60 Years Behind Bars

In a shocking case that has sent ripples through the classic car restoration community, a Texas mechanic has been sentenced to 60 years in prison and ordered to pay nearly half a million dollars in restitution for orchestrating an elaborate engine swap fraud scheme that victimized dozens of classic car owners.

The Mastermind Behind the Scheme

Richard Finley, owner of Classic American Street Rods in Texas, built a reputation as a specialist in engine swaps for classic vehicles. For years, he lured unsuspecting car enthusiasts with promises of transforming their vintage rides with modern, powerful engines. However, beneath this veneer of automotive expertise lay a sophisticated operation of theft and deception that would ultimately cost victims an estimated $2 million in stolen vehicles and parts.

How the Scam Unfolded

The mechanics of Finley’s fraud were deceptively simple yet devastatingly effective. Classic car owners would entrust their prized vehicles to his shop, paying substantial upfront fees—often thousands of dollars—for engine swap services. Once the cars were in his possession, Finley would systematically strip them of valuable components, selling parts to unsuspecting buyers while providing victims with vague excuses about delays, missing parts, or ongoing work.

According to court documents, Finley’s operation spanned from 2018 to 2023, during which time he victimized at least 72 classic car owners. The pattern was consistent: large upfront payments, followed by months or even years of radio silence, and ultimately either a partially dismantled vehicle returned or, in some cases, no vehicle returned at all.

The Investigation and Arrest

The elaborate scheme began to unravel when multiple victims reported similar experiences to local authorities. The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation that would span several years, gathering evidence and building a case against Finley.

In June 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at two locations in San Leon and Texas City, Texas. The raids proved fruitful beyond expectations, recovering 24 classic cars that had been stolen or stripped for parts. The scale of the operation shocked investigators, who discovered vehicles in various states of disassembly, with valuable components systematically removed and prepared for resale.

The Trial and Conviction

The case against Finley culminated in a week-long jury trial that began on December 15, 2025. Prosecutors called 28 victims to testify, each sharing their experiences of financial loss, emotional distress, and the violation of trust they felt when they discovered what had happened to their beloved vehicles.

The testimony painted a picture of a calculated fraud operation. Victims described paying anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 upfront for engine swap services, only to be met with excuses and delays. Some reported not seeing their vehicles for years, while others received cars that were missing irreplaceable parts or had been partially dismantled.

On January 6, 2026, Judge Jeth Jones of the 122nd Judicial District Court delivered the verdict: guilty of felony theft of more than $300,000. The sentence—60 years in prison—reflects the severity of the crime and the number of victims affected.

The Human Cost

Beyond the financial losses, which totaled nearly $500,000 in restitution ordered by the court, the emotional toll on victims was significant. Classic car ownership often represents more than just a financial investment; these vehicles are frequently cherished family heirlooms, passion projects, or lifelong dreams realized.

One victim, speaking anonymously to local media, described paying $10,000 for an engine swap on his 1972 Chevelle, only to have Finley move the car between locations and strip it of vital components including the engine, transmission, and air-conditioning parts. The victim didn’t see his partially dismantled car again for six months, finally locating it in a storage locker at the Texas City location.

Lessons for the Classic Car Community

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of due diligence when selecting a restoration shop or mechanic. The classic car community, while generally close-knit and trustworthy, is not immune to bad actors who exploit enthusiasts’ passion and trust.

Automotive experts recommend several precautions for anyone considering major restoration work:

• Research the shop thoroughly, checking reviews, references, and credentials
• Visit the facility in person before entrusting your vehicle
• Get everything in writing, including detailed estimates and timelines
• Never pay the full amount upfront; staged payments tied to milestones are safer
• Document your vehicle’s condition with photos before leaving it with any shop
• Stay involved in the process with regular updates and inspections

Legal Protections and Consumer Rights

Many states have enacted consumer protection laws specifically addressing automotive repair services. Florida’s Motor Vehicle Repair Act, for example, entitles clients to written estimates, prohibits unauthorized work, and requires shops to return replaced parts upon request.

However, as this case demonstrates, even existing legal protections may not be sufficient to prevent sophisticated fraud schemes. The burden often falls on consumers to be vigilant and proactive in protecting their investments.

The Road Ahead

While Finley’s conviction brings some measure of justice to his victims, many will never recover the full value of what was lost. Parts that were sold to unsuspecting buyers are effectively gone, and the sentimental value of family heirlooms cannot be replaced.

The recovered vehicles have been returned to their rightful owners, though many arrived in sad states of disrepair. For these enthusiasts, the journey to restore their cars to their former glory begins anew, this time with the added burden of financial loss and broken trust.

As the classic car community processes this shocking case, it serves as both a warning and a call to action. Trust, while essential in any service relationship, must be earned and verified, especially when dealing with valuable and irreplaceable assets like classic automobiles.

The story of Richard Finley and Classic American Street Rods will likely become a cautionary tale passed down through car clubs and online forums for years to come—a reminder that even in the world of automotive passion, there are those who would exploit enthusiasm for personal gain.

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