Salesman Vanishes During Test Drive

An Los Angeles automobile salesman disappeared after taking a prospective buyer on a test drive in a $21,000 sports car, police said Wednesday.

The salesman, Charles Washington, 61, was last seen about 7 p.m. Monday as he and a man believed to be 25 to 30 years old drove out of Barish Chrysler-Plymouth dealership at 401 S. La Brea Ave., Sgt. Carl Thompson said.

Neither Washington nor the car have turned up since the man asked Washington to allow him to test drive a 1989 Chrysler Conquest TSI, a flashy sports car, Thompson said.

“Everybody is concerned because it’s totally out of character for Washington,” Thompson said.