An eagle-eyed fan with an eager focus on detail at a recent gathering in the northern California town of Red Bluff was having a look at a 1964 Corvette when he saw the vehicle identification number (VIN) was for a different model, proof that the vehicle was once stolen.

The owner then brought it to the regional California Highway Patrol for investigation. The VIN was initially from an Impala, while another number on the vehicle matched that of a 1964 Corvette that was reported to have been stolen in Anaheim, back in 1976.

The person had no concept, having been provided the automobile as a gift by his better half in 1987, who bought it from a dealership that’s now out of business. Some more sleuthing by the cops, that included searching into the Anaheim PD’s ancient microfiche records, showed up the name of the actual owner, Modesto Flemming, who had had since transferred to Arizona.

The authorities had the ability to connect to Flemming, and she made the journey to Red Bluff to obtain the vehicle she never ever believed she would observe again, which occurs to be in terrific condition and is most likely worth $50,000 or more now.

A cops representative informed Fox News that the present owner and his partner aren’t in any difficulty, as they were unwitting parties after the criminal offense, however didn’t know what if any compensation they got from insurance, or, for having to return the vehicle.