Skip Wilson purchased his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air for 375$ in 1975. He wrenched on the car with pride until it was stolen in 1983. The car was eventually recovered but it was missing its engine and transmission. Before the 65-year old had the chance to make it road-worthy, it was stolen once again, for good this time. At least it seemed that way.
One day, a California Highway Patrol investigator called Wilson and said he had a Chevy in his possession, which might be of interest to him. It turns out Wilson’s old ’57 Chevy had four owners over the 30-years it was missing, one of which fully restored it, complete with a 350 small block and Holley four-barrel carburetor.  The last owner tried to ship the car to Australia, and when border inspection ran the VIN they found out who it really belonged to.
The car was removed from the dock just two days before it was to be shipped to Australia and returned to Wilson last Monday. It looked much different than when it left his posession. The car he knew was a two-tone yellow and white and was in rather rough shape, but when it arrived at his door step it was painted Competition Orange and had been fully overhauled.
“Somebody put a whole lot of work and money into that car,” Wilson told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. “I imagine somebody in Australia must be awful upset.”
You can read Wilson’s amazing full story over on the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s website.Â
Comments
Does this means there is some chance that my 1963 Chevy Impala SS (327ci, 300 hp, Powerglide) might come back to ME some day? I think not, sadly. This beauty was stolen in 1975 when I was in grad school and poorer than poor. I’m pretty sure the car was in parts by the time I woke up the next day, so my dreams of getting it back will certainly remain unfulfilled.
Cool story, glad for the owner. FYI, that’s NOT a ’57 in the photo!
The lead in picture to the story is of a 1955 Chevy not a 1957. It was a cool story just the same.
Right, just didn’t have a photo of the very same car so we had to use a filler. I changed it to a ’57 though.
Sam- Nicely done. Sorry for being so picky. That is a really great photo of a ’57 convertible!
I’m amazed that this car changed hands a few times and the VIN never gave away the history until it was ready to be shipped overseas. Have to admit that every so often I see a red, ’63 Impala SS 327 and wonder, “Is that mine?”
Hmmmm, As a all around car fanatic I get the “feel good” justice of these stories. But it really irks me how almost everyone is a story of some guys wreck being stolen and then returned 20-40 years later after others -almost always in ignorance of the cars theft- have put thousands into the car and made it far better than when stolen.
If one of my babies were stolen, I’d be mad, but seriously; these days I’d take the insurance and keep it moving. And frankly after 30 years, that car was a distant memory anyway. I almost feel there should be a statute of limitations on such returns UNLESS, the car was found to be in the possession of the original thief.
An unpopular opinion I know, but just a opinion non the less.
So I bought this car a couple of years ago not knowing it was stolen would somebody be forced to give my money back if the car was taken away and returned to the real owner?
Great story! We have one too! Check out the video below. My husband has not seen his car since he sold it to pay our daughter’s medical bills. We could never afford to get it back but we have this wonderful video to share.
Is your daughter in the video?
Hi Brian, Yes, they show her as a baby in the beginning of the video and they are speaking with her later in the video. She has had 12 surgeries so far and needs a few more but is doing great. Thanks!
Okay