He Gets Stolen Mustang Back 38 Years Later

80-Year-Old L.A. Man's 1965 Mustang Was Stolen In 1970; Current Owner Is Returning Car To Him

(AP)  A Los Angeles man is getting his Mustang back - 38 years after it was stolen.

The vehicle has an extra 300,000 miles and a different paint job, but Eugene Brakke's 1965 Mustang is evidently running just fine.

Brakke reported the car stolen to Burbank police in May 1970.

One month later, a Long Beach teenager named Judy Smongesky received the car as a high school graduation gift from her father, who had bought it at a Bellflower used car dealer.

Smongesky, who now lives in San Diego, said Thursday she had been driving and maintaining the car for nearly four decades, and only learned that it had been stolen when she recently prepared to sell it. San Diego police verified the car was hot.

"It's his car, even though he had it for four years and I had it for 38," Smongesky said. "He seems like a real nice gentleman, though."

Brakke found out Smongesky had twice rebuilt the engine and painted the Mustang from its old gold color to silver-blue.

"He wasn't too happy with that," Smongesky said.

The pair planned to meet up to transfer the car soon.

"It was hard but it was the right thing to do," Smongesky said. "I haven't really cried yet, but when he drives it away, I think I'll fall apart."

[fedupredneck]

Giving the car back is the right thing to do.Period.
Hey-wait a minute- I had a mint 82 Musteng GT T-Top stolen from me in 1990-Maybe there is still hope I will get mine back. LOL

[cfin5]

He''ll probably light''em up before he gets home. I would even if I was 80 yrs. old :).........sniff!

[thinpockets]

The stolen car was driven around LA for 38 years and nobody noticed? It was licensed for 38 years and no one noticed? WOW!

[guysdigdirt]

Brakke to Smongesky:

"HEY!! YOU CHANGED ALL THE PRESET BUTTONS ON MY RADIO!!"
Posted by dragonwagon5

LOL!!!

[puzzler125]

Know what? I''d give it right back to her.

[fmmedway]

It''s a shame the lady has to return the car, but in the law she may claim title to the car against all others, as long as she didn''t acquire it through illegal means, except for the rightful owner of the car. Theft of property cannot defeat the claim of the rightful owner of the item, regardless of how long the current possessor of the item has possessed it.

[mythoughtsr]

You know what? I''m sorry he lost his car but it''s not like SHE stole it. I wouldn''t take it from her but I''m that kind of person. She''s had it for almost FORTY YEARS?

[nlm2383]

Wow, that''s awesome. Glad to hear he''s getting it back...