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Corvette found 33 years after being stolen in Detroit

GM's Mark Reuss offers to bring the car home

By Andy Choi Posted Jun 24, 2014 at 6:26 pm

When George Talley tells an old story, there's a good chance he'll mention his old rides.

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"I've always liked Corvettes. It was attractive. The ladies like 'em," said George.

But so did the thieves, and George learned that the hard way. The last time he saw his '79 Corvette, it was parked on Jefferson Avenue 33 years ago.

"I made a police report, and I haven't seen it since July of 1981," said George.

George often wondered about the one that got away. That is until recently.

"I was sitting at home last Friday looking at Judge Mathis, and I get a call from AAA telling me you have a Corvette in Mississippi, come and get it. And, uh… I said, 'what?'"

Authorities say a dubious vin number helped track the Vette three decades later. And the car is still in pretty good shape.

"I've heard it was running, it had 47,000 miles on it, and right now, it's at the police station in Hattiesburg," said George.

As of Tuesday it's still up in the air whether George would ship it or bring the car back himself. That all changed Wednesday morning when General Motor's Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain Mark Reuss announced that he was offering to bring the Vette home - at GM's expense.

The offer came during The Paul W. Smith show on News/Talk 760 AM WJR radio.

"It's a lucky day. When I get that car here in that driveway, we'll go from there," said George, before learning of the offer.


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