Stolen Vintage Car Surfaces In LaPorte County, Ind.
(CBS) -- An antique car that was stolen in Michigan and then abandoned on a rural LaPorte County, Ind., road is being reunited with its owner.
The owner of the red 1963 Mercury Monterey coupe called LaPorte County Sheriff's Police at noon Thursday, shortly after a friend saw photos of the car in media reports.
Sheriff's Police Capt. Michael Kellems said the car had been stolen Sept. 2 in Chikaming Twp., Mich., near New Buffalo. It had been parked on a trailer and advertised for sale at the time.
The car had a damaged ignition and its vehicle identification number had been removed, apparently to cover the fact that it was stolen, Kellems said.
Other than that, Kellems said, it was in "pretty good condition" after having been in the thieves' hands for 2-1/2 months.
"The owner was very relieved" that police had been able to recover the car, he said.
Sheriff's deputies found the car about 8 a.m. Monday in a "very rural area" on Wilhelm Road, south of County 1000 North.
Strange as it may seem, Kellems said police believe the thieves were more interested in the trailer on which the Monterey sat than the car itself.