It was a fluke and coincidence.
A few weeks ago I pulled over to take a look at the car, and read the sticker on the windscreen. I then called Queanbeyan city council Rangers. They recorded my number and would pass it onto the owner if (big if) she contacts the council to clear the notice. Otherwise the vehicle was scheduled to be crushed.
I see my friend a photo of the car - he's into the modified car scene in Canberra. He noticed that an acquaintance of his has acquired the car, and bragged about it on Facebook.
I was sad, but happy that at least it wasn't going to be crushed.
My friend reached out to his acquaintance, and said that I'd be somewhat interested in in. Turns out the 144 was parked outside his aunts house on Yass road. He got the car for $20!!! He wasn't that interested in the car, he was interested I making a few dollars (fine with me I guess) He sold it to me for 10 times the price $200, but he'd have to deliver it.
Turns out it has a full service history, Canberra car its entire life. Just a shame it got hammered in the December hail storm.