Hruby

I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL

BACKGROUND

Raymond Hruby was interested in sports cars and, in 1969, purchased a 1966 Shelby Cobra. He alleged in his original, first-amended, and second-

1 amended verified complaints that he purchased the car from Thomas Lee Pottberg. After Raymond died, his wife, appellant Karen Hruby,1 filed a third amended complaint alleging Raymond purchased the Cobra from “the prior owner,” and at trial she testified he purchased it from Timothy Uschyk. The record contains the following evidence that the Hrubys owned the Cobra: a copy of a 1968 California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) registration card issued in July 1968 and listing Pottberg as the owner of the Cobra; a September 1969 handwritten notice of deposit for the Cobra, purportedly signed by Uschyk; and a bill of sale also purportedly signed by Uschyk. Karen also produced a copy of a DMV registration card issued in October 1969 and listing Raymond as the owner of the Cobra and “UCB” (United California Bank) as the legal owner. According to Karen, she and Raymond obtained a small loan of around $700 from UCB to pay for repairs to the Cobra. She did not, however, provide any documents relating to…