Members of the New Jersey Auto Owners Association (NJAOA) have been staging vocal protests almost daily since early April outside businesses and residences linked to Samuel Polyak of Polykup Inc. and David Gutwill of Ultimate Car Care in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The sustained demonstrations, which have continued through late May, initially centered on securing the return of a prized classic car belonging to 90-year-old stroke survivor Robert Kerekes. They have since expanded into broader accusations of elder financial exploitation, missing original parts, and unsafe practices in an electric vehicle conversion project.
Protesters regularly gather with large signs and banners that deliver strong messages, including “Ultimate Car Care is Holding a 90 Year Old’s Car for Ransom” (featuring a cartoon of an elderly man with a cane), “CHEATING a 90 Year Old? DOWNRIGHT EVIL!!!!”, “Junkyard Flammable Chevy Bolt Batteries in a $300K Car? THAT’S FRAUD”, and “Where are the stolen parts Sam and Dave?” Chants such as “Scammed an old man, shame on Sam” echo during the rallies, keeping pressure on the parties involved.
The high-profile lawsuit, Kerekes v. Polyak (Docket No. MRS L 000015-26) in Morris County Superior Court before Civil Presiding Judge Frank DeAngelis, involves a contracted premium Tesla battery EV conversion on Kerekes’ 2003 Acura NSX. According to court documents and advocacy filings, the project allegedly used salvaged Chevrolet Bolt batteries with known fire risks, resulted in massive cost overruns, and led to the removal and non-return of valuable factory-original components, including the engine and transmission.
A writ of replevin issued in mid-April required the immediate return of the vehicle along with all keys, remotes, and removed parts. While the car was eventually returned, the Elder Help Network’s amicus curiae brief and related filings state it was delivered in severely damaged condition and stripped of high-value original equipment. This has intensified the almost daily protests, shifting the focus to demands for full accountability, restitution, and enforcement of court orders.
Advocates contend the case represents potential elder financial exploitation under New Jersey law, highlighting risks to vulnerable seniors in complex automotive transactions. Kerekes, a respected New Jersey car collector whose vehicles have appeared at prestigious events like the New York International Auto Show, is portrayed as a victim of unscrupulous practices in specialty auto work.
Explosive Media Coverage and Growing Public Support
The controversy has attracted significant attention from local news outlets, auto enthusiast forums, Reddit discussions, YouTube channels, and national aggregators. Reports have also surfaced regarding prior legal issues involving one of the parties, further fueling public outrage.
As the case proceeds in court, NJAOA and supporting organizations continue their nearly daily demonstrations to demand the return of all missing components, full transparency, and stronger protections against exploitation in the classic car and EV conversion industries. The protests serve as a visible stand for consumer rights and elder safeguards in high-end automotive projects.
