The 1977 Chevrolet Camaro - Blue

 

Not the actual car.

In 1977 my uncle bought his first brand new car. He was 20, and not bright. However it was his own money and he bought a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, blue. He loved that car. You know in the Shania Twain song where he makes you take off your shoes before you get in? Well that was my uncle, he washed it every week (weather permitting) and when it snowed, he took the bus. Even though he paid for it out right, he kept full coverage insurance, the highest he could afford. He parked away from everyone else and always took up two spots. This had been his dream car and he had achieved it... At 20. And you know, good on him. He was single, he had a good job, was still living with his mother though, but had saved to pay for it in cash. He didn't smoke, didn't drink, which was amazing for someone in the 70's.

My uncle came out of his work one day and the car was gone. He worked not necessarily in the city, but outside of it at a once very popular electronics store. His first reaction was someone had played a prank on him, taking his keys out of his locker, moving the car and putting the keys back. When none of his coworkers or brothers fessed up to doing a prank, he finally realized that someone might have taken the car. Like actually stolen it. He never left it unlocked, never left the keys in, didn't keep a spare key hidden on it. He called the police, filled a report, and reported it stolen through his insurance. He waited hoping the car would turn up. After about six months, he finally accepted the insurance payout and moved on with his life. He bought another car, not a Camaro, literally a POS Chevette. Guess no one was goin to steal a Chevette.

In 2000, my uncle received a phone call from a police department in Illinois (he lives in MO). They informed my uncle they had found his car. My uncle said, "What car?"

"The car you reported stolen."

"My car isn't stolen, it's in the garage," to even be sure he walked to the garage and there was his current vehicle, a Ford F150.

"Sir, we have it here that you reported a 1977 Chevy Camaro stolen."

"Twenty years ago!"

"Well we've located your car and need you to claim it from impound."

My uncle told them that he had signed it over to the insurance company twenty years ago. It was their car now and to call them. From what I understand that the guy who stole the car, had been driving it for 20 years in Illinois with stolen plates. I told my uncle he should have at least gone to see what kind of condition the car was in.