Rep Power: 0

Eugene Brakke couldn't be happier about hearing that his stolen Mustang has been recovered and is coming back to him. There's just one thing you should know about that otherwise ordinary sounding statement - the car in question is a vintage 1965 model and it was taken from the L.A.-area resident way back in 1970.

Now, almost 40 years later, the long gone automobile has been located and he can't wait to drive it again. Where has it been and how was it located? Therein hangs an amazing tale that involves a woman who has had it all this time.

A month after the vehicle disappeared, Long Beach, California resident Judy Smongesky received it as a high school graduation gift from her father. He bought it from a used car dealer and didn't think much about it, as his child tooled around town in the iconic machine.

She loved the car so much, she lovingly restored it and maintained it for 38 years straight. But when she finally decided to sell it, a computer check turned up evidence that it had been stolen. Police in San Diego, where she now lives, confirmed the vehicle - though very old - was still very hot.

So she located and contacted the original owner to tell him his prized former possession was still in existence and in the hands of someone who took good care of it for him.

She now plans to give it back to Brakke. "It's his car, even though he had it for four years and I had it for 38," she explains.

Still, he won't exactly be getting back the original merchandise. Smongesky had the engine rebuilt twice and put some 300,000 miles on it. She also changed the vintage Mustang from its original gold colour to silver-blue. "He wasn't too happy with that," she deadpans.

The two plan to meet up soon as one prepares to say goodbye to an old friend and another gets ready for a reunion with a cherished memento of a youth long passed that he never thought he'd see again.

Smongesky knows it will be a bittersweet moment. "It was the right thing to do," she reflects about calling Brakke with the news. "I haven't really cried yet, but when he drives it away, I think I'll fall apart."

Fortunately for him, she didn't let the car suffer the same fate.

 
Rep Power: 665

This is exactly why I am investing in an expensive security system.. i couldn't go that long without my car.. even if i bought another one...

 
Rep Power: 804

this is the second time ive heard of a story like this, the other was with a corvette i think.

 
Rep Power: 707

congrats to him

 
Rep Power: 0

Thats crazy ive never heard anything like that after so long the guy probable hasnt thought about that car in 30 years

 
Rep Power: 674

i conquer

 
Rep Power: 663

Hopefully she'll get something from him and not just give it away...... just like someone finding ur wallet with 300 bucks in it, and they give it back...the least u can do is shoot them 20...right??

 
Rep Power: 777

Would the yearly registration pick something like this up?

 
Rep Power: 661

wow..