Went through similar thing when I was in high school, mid 90's. It was my second car, a 77 MustangII (yeah, I know
at least it had a V8). My parents and I were in one of our typical battles. Me & my mom, really. My dad and I were going at it over the phone! Anyway... my dad says that he's selling my car, that it's in his name, nothing I can do about it, and that he's keeping the money. Needless to say, I didn't like that idea, but I was stuck, my mom had snagged my keys and hidden them.
Well, not only had I paid for the car myself, but I'd done ALOT of work to it. So I did the only thing I could think of... I grabbed my tools and got to work. When my dad got home, the Stang was in the street on blocks. In the garage was every part I had bought for it, with the receipt taped on each one!
This included: The wheels & tires, Half the motor, passenger door, trunklid, steering wheel, shifter, stereo, all the brakes, the headlights, rear springs, exhaust, etc... The car was in his name, but those parts were mine, and I had proof.
When he got home, he was shocked, and said "forget it, keep the damn thing." So I stayed up half the night, putting her back together.
We get along great nowdays, but I'll remember that day till I die!