Paul Teutul Sr had his 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 returned after a year of legal battles over unpaid bills with JTM Motorsports
Just like children in a messy divorce, cars often get caught up in disputes between bickering parties, leaving them in automotive limbo. The dust has finally settled around this particular Corvette ZR1, owned by American Chopper star Paul Teutul Sr, but held by JTM Motorsports after lack of payment.
The dispute surrounding this Chevrolet arose after Mr Teutul Sr asked JTM Motorsports to modify the car. Payment was to come in the form of TV exposure on either of the Discovery Channel programs he hosted, American Chopper or Street Outlaw — failing that, cash.
However, neither materialised and so the ‘vette remained with JTM Motorsports. The performance tuning company claimed that the car had racked up $30,000 in parts and storage fees over the past year.
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Paul Teutul Sr filed for New York Chapter 13 bankruptcy last year, reportedly claiming assets of $1.8 million and liabilities of $1.1 million. The website theblast.com suggests that the two sides have finally come to an agreement that has seen the grey Corvette ZR1 returned to Paul. According to the site, Documents filed on 23 January 2019 pertaining to his bankruptcy case show an agreement to put $30,000 in an escrow account for JTM, with the money released paid once receipts have been produced. The agreement saw neither side admitting liability, but JTM Motorsports did drop the storage fees.
As evident by a video posted to Teutul’s Facebook page, the ZR1 is now back in his garage. The American sports car has just 5000 miles on the clock, making it a potential collector's item in the future. When new, this Corvette ZR1 packed 638 hp from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine — post modifications the 2009 car will undoubtedly be producing much more.
Paul Teutul Sr came to fame when the Discovery Channel used his motorbike customisation business, Orange County Choppers, as the bases for a reality TV show. American Chopper follows progress at the New York customisation shop and the often explosive arguments between Paul Sr and Paul Jr.
At least this Corvette ZR1 can now be enjoyed as intended, as opposed to being locked up in a warehouse through no fault of its own.
