In February 1978, two children playing in their backyard at 1137 W. 119th Street in Los Angeles uncovered an astonishing find: a 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS buried just below the surface.
Deputies Joe Sabas and Lenny Carroll from the Lennox sheriff’s substation were flagged down by the children to investigate. Upon excavation, a metallic green Ferrari, worth at least $18,000 when new, emerged from the soil.
Despite being underground for years, the car was in surprisingly good condition, aside from minor rust, interior wear, and a hole above the taillight.
The car’s backstory revealed a convoluted tale of insurance fraud. It was initially purchased by Rosendo Cruz in 1974 for $22,500 as a gift for his wife. A few months later, on their anniversary night, Cruz reported the car stolen from the Brown Derby restaurant.
Also Read: Texas Woman, 21, Charged with Allegedly Trying to Sell Her Newborn on Facebook
It was later discovered that Cruz had orchestrated the theft, hiring individuals to dismantle and dispose of the car in the Pacific Ocean. Instead, the accomplices buried it in the yard where it was discovered.
Cruz had already been reimbursed by Farmers Insurance.
The car’s unusual history attracted significant attention. In 1986, journalist Tom Underwood reported its exhumation in “surprisingly good” condition, sparking public interest.
Farmers Insurance displayed the car in Pasadena for potential buyers, but it was vandalized during the exhibit. Ultimately, a mechanic purchased and restored the vehicle, giving it the fitting license plate “DUG UP.”
The restored Dino has since become a popular exhibit at car shows, symbolizing an extraordinary chapter in automotive history.