GALVESTON, Texas – A vintage car repairman who ripped off customers by stealing the very vehicles he promised to repair has now been sentenced.
Richard Finley, 48, the owner of Classic American Street Rods, was found guilty in December of property theft exceeding $300,000 following a months-long investigation by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said Finley’s business of restoring classic cars frequently changed locations, often moving the vehicles without notifying their owners. Authorities said Finley also stopped answering customers’ phone calls.
When Finley defaulted on payments to a storage facility, the sheriff’s office said he was locked out, preventing vehicle owners from accessing their cars.
KPRC 2 spoke with three additional victims in June 2025, all of whom said Finley mishandled their vehicles or money after being hired to perform repairs.
Court records show Finley has been sued multiple times by other customers who also claim he mishandled their cars or funds.
During the investigation, authorities recovered 24 classic vehicles and numerous vehicle parts, with an estimated total value exceeding $2 million in stolen property.
A judge sentenced Finley to 60 years in prison and ordered him to pay $495,000 in restitution to the victims.