Stolen T-Bird recovered after three decades
In 1976, the Palo Alto, California owner of a 1956 Ford Thunderbird had his car stolen from him. In an unwitting stroke of fortune, he still lives not far from where his baby was taken. This week, he got a call -- thirty-one years later -- that his 51-year-old car has been found in Southern California. Turns out a SoCal woman bought it from a seller in Ohio, but had to get help with the VIN number from the California Highway Patrol. When they ran the mismatching VIN numbers, they realized it was stolen, and then tracked down the records of the owner. Even better for the now-restored owner: the car is still in "cherry" condition, and has only 24,979 miles on it. (The '56 Thunderbird in the pic isn't the actual stolen car.)
Thanks for the tip, Chuck!
[Source: Sports Car Market magazine]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
whofan 9:25AM (6/24/2007)
This is great news for the owner but too bad for the innocent buyer.
This is much like the corvette recovered a year ago or so.
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Eric D-J 9:27AM (6/24/2007)
Here is the actual story pics
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=5297
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Greg 9:43AM (6/24/2007)
30 years of storage keeping a car in good condition is worth $30 Grand Alone!
I wouldn't be surprised that whoever winds up getting arrested for stealing this thing doesn't submit a bill to the rightful owner for 'up keep'.. LOL
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whofan 10:17AM (6/24/2007)
"I wouldn't be surprised that whoever winds up getting arrested for stealing this thing doesn't submit a bill to the rightful owner for 'up keep'.. LOL"
I`m sure there`s a lawer out there that would take up a case for this. (Crooks)
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Barney 11:05AM (6/24/2007)
I wonder why anyone would steal the car, then stow it all those years. Perhaps they thought the theft would have been forgotten. Maybe the TBird was bought and sold before getting on EBay. Thirty one years is a long time.
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Bryan 1:16PM (6/24/2007)
Such a nice car! I am happy the rightful owner is getting it back. I still miss the 79 Ford truck I was raised in. However, I am pretty sure it was taken to Mexico never to be recovered again. That was going to be my first vehicle when I was 16. =( Luckily, my grandparents old neighbor was playing with the "explorer" hood ornament and broke it off. At least I still have that to remember it by.
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Mal Fuller 1:44PM (6/24/2007)
Funny isn't it how this 1956 T-Bird has fared so much better over its adventurous life than the zero miles 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that was so elaborately embalmed, mummified and buried in Tulsa.
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Andy 8:51PM (6/24/2007)
Wonderful news for the owner.
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mr.ed 8:20AM (6/25/2007)
The insurance co. paid off long ago and could ask for the car or a refund, and if nasty, with interest!
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