1965 Shelby GT-350 Mustang Stolen and Recovered 25 Years Later

In 1982 a 1965 Shelby GT-350 Mustang owned by a young Marine stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina was stolen. The Marine soon deployed and never saw that car again—until 2007 when an NICB agent contacted him with news that his Mustang was located in Maryland.

In the intervening years since it was stolen, the Mustang's true identity—its vehicle identification number (VIN)—had been professionally altered and matched with a fraudulent title. It was then sold to an unsuspecting buyer who eventually put a new $12,000 Shelby engine in it.

The duped owner was contacted in 2007 by the Maryland State Police and an NICB special agent asking to inspect his Shelby. As you can imagine, he was absolutely dazed when they informed him that his prized possession was, in fact, stolen property.

That young Marine from 1982—now a professional airline pilot—was overjoyed when he was notified that his dream car had been recovered and was in excellent condition. And in a classy gesture of goodwill—he was not legally required to do so—the pilot gave the former owner a check for $12,000 for the engine.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• 1965
• Shelby
• GT-350
• Mustang
• stolen
• recovered
• Ford
• engine
• classic car
• Maryland State Police
• NICB
• antique
• vehicle
• Obama
• recovery
• police
• investigation
• feel
• good
• story

[DarkJackal]

That seems pretty crappy, I mean cool he got his stuff back. But its the same deal with the previous owner almost. His dad had it, he died and left it to him, could be one of the few things he had from his father. Now after 22 years they can take it? That doesn't seem right.

[TheTkirk]

@Josemedeiros Thats a good point ! No way that owner for 22 years should get 12k and thats that!!!

[Josemedeiros]

Lynch those horse thief's! NCIB has a Vin Check form. I entered my 66 fastback that I sold in December, and owned 26 years, and it came back clean, thank god.

NCIB VINCheck - 6R09A218967

[Josemedeiros]

I am glad that he got his shelby back, but the previous owner that bought the car with a clean title, is out the value of the Shelby GT 350, and that's not really fair to the owner that had it for 22 years, unless he knew he was buying a stolen car, and the vin number had been altered. Not to mention if after it was originally stolen, if he had insurance and turned it in, and the insurance paid out the claim, legally he is no longer the owner, is he not? What about the statue of limitations?

[billheinson1]

A quality guy, paying for the engine. He simply could have taken possession of the car and been perfectly within his rights to keep it and not look back.

[lindajsk]

So cool Scott got the car back. We were in the same graduating class at Evans High School in Orlando.

[DEATHBYFLYINGCDS]

Classic car thieves, heartless bastards, causing heartbreak for the original owner, and the people they sell the car to if the car is ever recovered by the police.

[Albacorewing]

This is a very pleasing story.

[texascclp1445]

@arielatom03 So true! Upwards close to 50k to 100k but not much more. Kind of hard to believe that a new engine was found by the previous owner to put in it. if so the price (12k) stated would have been about right for a crate 289 hipo/271 hp that ford was selling for approx. $500.00 in the early 70's. also several other items had to rounded up; oil pan, intake manifold, carb, correct valve covers with open center letters with 'Buddy Barr' casting name mark inside the covers, etc.

[texascclp1445]

This almost sounds like one of those urban legend fairy tales you hear about but this is one that came true. I'm really happy for the owner getting his GT350 back but really, really feel sorry for the previous owner. to me that would feel like someone taking one of kids. I had a 65 GT350 and wished I had mine back. not for the value but for the sheer pleasure of hearing that sound after i would start it and the bark of the engine coming to life. no better auto related feeling than that.