The Big Steal (1990) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Danny wants a Jaguar to impress Joanna Johnson. He lives in Footscray and drives a plain 1963 Nissan Cedric, which he knows won't win her over. In his mind, a sleek Jaguar represents the cool, sophisticated image he needs to appear suave and successful enough to capture her affection.

• Danny Clark
• Joanna Johnson
• Jaguar
• impress girl
• cool car

Gordon Farkas, a crooked used-car dealer, recognizes Danny as an easy target desperate to look cool. He talks the eager young man into buying a 1973 Jaguar XJ6, presenting it as the perfect vehicle to upgrade his image. What Danny doesn't know is that Gordon has already swapped the engine, setting him up for failure.

• Gordon Farkas
• car dealer
• Jaguar XJ6
• con
• scam

After the Jaguar's engine blows up, an investigation reveals the engine had been swapped by Gordon, exposing the fraud. This discovery humiliates Danny and makes Joanna question his judgment. The failed attempt to impress her, combined with the deception involved, causes her to pull away from Danny.

• Joanna Johnson
• engine failure
• betrayal
• humiliation

Danny enlists his friends to execute a sting operation in a multi-storey car park. They lure Gordon's Jaguar into the building and secretly install the blown engine that was originally in Danny's car. The payback scheme works perfectly, Gordon drives off unaware and gets arrested for drunk driving and running a red light.

• revenge
• engine swap
• car park sting
• payback

Gordon, intoxicated from drinking, drives away in his Jaguar without knowing the blown engine has been installed. He runs a red light and is arrested for drunk driving and disobeying traffic signals. This arrest derails his schemes and gives Danny time to regroup.

• Gordon arrest
• drunk driving
• red light
• intoxicated

Gordon mistakenly believes that Joanna's father stole his Jaguar engine. In retaliation, he steals the car belonging to Joanna's father and defaces it. This error compounds his problems and escalates the conflict further, as he's now committing additional crimes based on a false assumption.

• Gordon
• car theft
• Joanna father
• mistaken identity

Gordon Farkas is ultimately caught and serves five years in Pentridge Prison for 37 offences against the Motor Traders Act. His career as a crooked car dealer catches up with him, and he faces serious legal consequences for his scams and criminal behavior throughout the story.

• Gordon Farkas
• Pentridge Prison
• prison sentence
• Motor Traders Act

Yes, Danny and Joanna eventually marry later that year. Despite the chaos caused by the car scheme, the failed Jaguar purchase, and Gordon's pursuit, their relationship survives the drama. Danny's determination and eventual success win her over, and they have a hopeful future together.

• Danny Clark
• Joanna Johnson
• marriage
• wedding
• happy ending