I knew a guy who had a Chevelle SS. The soon to be ex wife forged and sold the car. They divorced. 6 months later the car surfaced at a major car auction. The court ruled that it was in fact forged and essentially stolen. He got the car back and the new owner really took it in the shorts bad. I’m not at all sure what even happened. Long story short, don’t give up. The cars could still be legally and rightfully yours.
I worked with a guy that had a Harley for sale and some guy took it for a TEST RIDE and never came back. Cops said since he gave him the key and let him take it , IT wasn't stolen. Wouldn't do anything for him.