It’s every car owner’s worst nightmare. Most people park their cars in parking lots with the assumption that the car will still be there when they return. However, that didn’t turn out to be the case for one Michigan man. Security camera footage, from a Sterling Heights Walmart parking lot, shows a 1977 Chevrolet Corvette being stolen in broad daylight.
The owner of the Corvette, whose name has been withheld, was in the Walmart for about an hour. Upon returning to where he parked his C3, he found that his car, which had gone missing. Naturally, this would shake any one up, especially if the vehicle was one’s “dream car” that was treated to a restoration – which was the case here. in speaking with reporters, the owner said, “I was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance because I was having an anxiety attack,” he said. “I couldn’t catch my breath.”
Walmart released the parking lot surveillance camera footage, which clearly captures the 1977 Corvette being stolen. Here’s how it all unfolded: first, a black Dodge Magnum parks behind the Corvette, with two people get out, with one walking towards the Chevrolet and the other quickly circling the Dodge.
From there, the lead perpetrator appears to walk over to the C3 and prop open the driver’s door. In just 19 seconds, they get the car started and drive off in it, with the Dodge driver in tow.
Interestingly, the thieves were able to open the victimized Corvette without issue, as the vehicle appears to have been unlocked. From there, the lack of any anti-theft device, or even a rudimentary kill switch, made the vehicle an easy target, unfortunately.
At the present time, authorities are working to recover the stolen Corvette, which is worth a claimed $20,000. The police are soliciting help in identifying the criminals. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sterling Heights Police Department at 586-446-2800.
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Source: ClickOnDetroit.com
Comments
$20k for a 77 Vette? Must be sentimental value.
These cars are not worth much right now and can be purchased even in mint condition cheap,
Breaking in and pulling the ignition is nothing in these cars. Hit the T top right and they pop off.
Sorry to see anyone lose a car but this is just one of many that lose even better cars daily.
Odds are they will find it as it is not even worth parts.
I would have to say that I disagree with you. I watched a friend completely restore their corvette to better than original and it was a very exspensive hobby. He had more than 20K into the car including his heart. A good paint job alone is around 5K. Ironically his car was stolen recently. He is ill about the situation and it has not been recovered to date. Also, there is no other vehicle that looks quite like the 1977 Corvette. It is a very sharp looking vehicle, as well as enjoyable to drive.
Watching a friend restore a Corvette has nothing to do with real world values.
Nothing personal but 75-77 Vettes in good condition are very cheap to buy. Demand is low as popularity of these years is low. It can cost more to restore than they are worth.
I can buy a low mileage fully loaded C5 roadster for less than $20k that has never seen rain.
Sorry your friend lost his car it hurts no matter the value.
Might note the 75,76 and 77 all looked much the same. The 76 is the worst for value. It is known as the Vega wheel car as it came with the same cheap steering wheel as the Vega and you can not easily change it out. It also has only 180 HP. The 77 was mostly a carry over with a better wheel and steering column.
So the 77 may be a bargain Corvette but it will be a while before it is worth $20k.
Unlocked?
“Since my comment was NOT saved: I’m withdrawing my membership to This publication”
Or an insurance scam (steal the car, get a share of the check…..)
Right no one wants a 75-77 Corvette. Well i have one and it is a work of art to look at let alone drive it is a thrill. I get more people saying was this not the best years of GM! I have newer Corvettes but there nothing like a 77 Corvette in my stall.
If the stolen Corvette was a 73 model year we would be having a different discussion.
A corvette got stolen in the USA?
First for everything.
Me personally I’ll take an 81-82′ Vette and put in a old LS motor for a nice cruiser.
The only thing I’m surprised by, was that he said he spent an hour in Walmart.
You’d think with a Corvette, he wouldn’t have been picking up more than a couple items anyway.
Why would someone drive a fully restored Corvette to Walmart and then park it there to go shopping?
And THEN leave the windows down and the tops out (as it appears in the pics)?
I’ll never understand why people insist on driving their nice cars to public parking places and parking them there.
Then they complain when something happens.
I NEVER take any of my good cars to places where I’d have to leave the car or to public parking places.
I like to shop on walmart,its very enjoyable!