Recovering personal property from impounded vehicle?

My truck was impounded with all of my musical performing gear in back. When I contacted the towing company about getting my gear they would not release it to me (twice). They told me my truck would be auctioned with all of the contents on a certain date, time & location. A friend of mine went on my behalf to purchase back my truck & gear & the towing company had already sold my truck. My friend had to pay $1000 to recover my gear (which had been removed from the truck) & my tenor saxophone was missing from the recovered items.

After looking through the Oregon Law Website, I haven't been able to find out if I was legally entitled to my personal property after my vehicle was impounded. I've been told by a former towing company employee friend that I have a viable lawsuit against this towing company. Ideas - Help? Thanks.

There are certain lists from different states that explain what you can and cannot remove from an impounded vehicle.