Eugene Brakke of Burbank, CA had his 1965 Ford Mustang stolen in 1965, only to just find out it has actually been found. Sounds like a story ripe for TV's Cold Case show, no?
Apparently shortly after being stolen, it was sold to a used car dealer in Bellflower. Not long thereafter it was bought as a gift for a young Judy Smongesky, who was then graduating high school. Ms...
Smongesky loved the vehicle, and has kept it ever since. Sometime during the 1990s car car fell into disrepair, and Smongesky was considering selling it to a neighbor. The neighbor discovered that the vehicle identification number tag on the door was different from the one inside the engine compartment, an indication that it may have been stolen. She then notified the police, who indicated that the car's record was clean.
Not convinced, and considering investing $4,000 in repairs, she contacted the DMV, and sure enough, found out the vehicle had been stolen. And that being the case, Eugene Brakke was entitled to get the car back.
"It is his car and he could take it, even though I spent all this money," Smongesky said. "This is my baby. I've had it since I was 18."
So it looks like Eugene and his car will finally be reunited after 38 years.
Full story here.
Not convinced, and considering investing $4,000 in repairs, she contacted the DMV, and sure enough, found out the vehicle had been stolen. And that being the case, Eugene Brakke was entitled to get the car back.
"It is his car and he could take it, even though I spent all this money," Smongesky said. "This is my baby. I've had it since I was 18."
So it looks like Eugene and his car will finally be reunited after 38 years.
Full story here.
ateixeira says:
07:47 AM, 03/24/08
That was very honest.
Ford should step in and offer Judy a brand new Mustang.
Huge PR opportunity for Ford, here, don't miss it!
ewilfong says:
08:50 AM, 03/24/08
Neat story, but I couldn't help but wish the original owner let Judy keep that car.
cwalton1 says:
08:59 AM, 03/24/08
This reminded me of a story from a few years back, but this one was of a 1968 Corvette recovered after nearly 37 years.
Talk about Karma!
Chris Walton
tlcruz says:
05:04 PM, 03/24/08
Ha, I find that amazing that it was in Bellflower, where I grew up and left in May! I've probably seen that thing around too. Haha, small freakin' world!!
tryan says:
03:08 AM, 03/25/08
I second ewilfong's sentiments.
While it's not up to me, it would have been nice for the original owner to step away and let her keep the car.
This IS a a huge PR opportunity for Ford...let's see if this even comes up on their radar...
karjunkie says:
08:33 AM, 03/25/08
The least Eugene could do would be to compensate Judy for all the expenses incurred in maintaining the mustang! Common Ford, do the right thing and give this lady a new GT!
m6vx says:
08:49 AM, 03/25/08
Eugene probably got a payoff from his insurance company when the car was stolen. I wonder what happens now. Any lawyers in the house? :-)
karjunkie says:
08:55 AM, 03/25/08
PS I just wrote Ford's sales and advertising department to ask that they give this lady a new car! Maybe if y'all do the same we can get her a new set of wheels!
estreka says:
02:14 PM, 03/25/08
While this is a very unusual circumstance, I doubt Ford will give her a new Mustang. If every "owner" of a stolen car went through this, Ford could potentially lose a lot of money.
ewilfong says:
04:52 PM, 03/25/08
If the insurance company paid Eugene for his loss, then technically, the insurance company should now own the car. Maybe insurance was different back then. Or maybe he didn't even have any!