You need to Irish that coffee up a bit, do they have drive-thru liquor stores in Texas?
Seriously though, the argument could be made that since the vehicle is not registered or operated on the streets and purely on display for it's historical, artistic and I'd guess sentimental value it poses no real danger or threat and this is an illegal search. I know of a private collection in Florida with a replica of the original 1770 Cugnot steam car, they better get on this menace to society as well.
And there is a provision for show/display vehicles with the NHTSA:
but the owner should have just done the paperwork to get it allowed as a non-street car or whatever. If the gov is smart, they'll charge a fine, have the guy do the paperwork, and the car can be used for display/show whatever.
In all fairness the car was here on a one year bond for service and that had expired. It's quite possible this all could have been handled with paper work and some phone calls instead of the draconian method the feds used.
Charge 25% of the car value to get it back to the owner as long as he does the paperwork. Gov makes some money, guy keeps the car, paperwork gets done, life would go on just fine.
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