"Hot wheels" recovered when stolen vintage Camaro is found clear across the country

A vintage sports car stolen from Newark, New Jersey nearly 36 years ago has been recovered 3,000 miles away in California.

In February, a Santa Maria, Calif. man bought a 1969 Chevy Camaro SS from a seller on eBay. But the buyer, Keith Williams, tells KSBY-TV he then contacted the California Highway Patrol because certain features of the car didn't match the model.

Police discovered the Camaro he bought had "hot wheels" - it had been stolen from Newark, N.J. in July 8, 1975.

The original owner of the classic car, Janice Maffucci, told the TV station her Camaro had been stolen from the post office where her father worked. She can't believe the vehicle was recovered.

Maffucci says now that her vintage ride has been found - well, she plans to sell the car after all.

Police are tracing the registration to try to track the thief.