This 1979 Chevrolet Corvette was stolen in 1981, and was recovered this year. (Photo: Chevrolet)
This 1979   was stolen in 1981, and was recovered this year. (Photo: Chevrolet)
It was only two years old when it was stolen, but after 33 years the police have found a Michigan man’s 1979 Chevrolet Corvette nearly 1,000 miles away.
The car’s 71-year-old owner, George Talley, got a call from AAA this past Friday telling him his ‘Vette was in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, WXYZ reports.
It was originally stolen from a Detroit street in July 1981, and a recent investigation into a phony VIN number led authorities back to Talley on Wednesday.
The car has racked up a few miles over the years, its odometer now showing 47,000, but Talley was told that it runs and is in generally good condition.
When he first heard the news, the retiree had no idea how he’d get it back home, but after his story was told on WJR radio Wednesday morning he’s going to get a little help.
General Motors Executive Vice President Mark Ruess happened to be listening in, and called the show offering to have the car shipped back to Detroit for Talley.
Turns out Reuss, in his position as GM’s head of global product development oversees the work done at the automaker’s Milford Proving Grounds, where Talley once worked.
It’s the second bit of high-profile classic Corvette public relations that GM has pulled off in this year, after it offered to help restore several cars destroyed by a sinkhole at a Kentucky museum dedicated to the model.

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Corvette stolen in Detroit 33 years ago found in Mississippi, set for return to ‘shocked’ owner

More than three decades after George Talley kissed his stolen 1979 Corvette goodbye the 71-year-old got a phone call last week announcing its incredible recovery.

 
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
 
Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 10:06 PM
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http://www.freep.com/article/20140625/NEWS05/306250111/stolen-corvette-returned-detroitWXYZGeorge Talley of Detroit is all smiles while recounting the astonishing phone call from Michigan State Police announcing the recovery of his stolen 1979 Corvette, more than three decades later.
If these wheels could talk.
More than three decades after George Talley kissed his stolen 1979 Corvette goodbye the 71-year-old received an astonishing phone call that simply left him floored.
The classic silver sports car, stolen on a Detroit street in the summer of 1981, was finally recovered last week in Mississippi.
"I said, 'This isn't no joke. They wouldn't be joking with me because I don't think they have time to play with me,'" Talley told the Detroit Free Press of his phone call from Michigan State Police. "I was shocked."
Talley's silver Corvette, a similar one pictured, was recently found in Mississippi, still running but with 47,000 miles on it. It's now being shipped back to him, compliments of General Motors.GENERAL MOTORSTalley's silver Corvette, a similar one pictured, was recently found in Mississippi, still running but with 47,000 miles on it. It's now being shipped back to him, compliments of General Motors.
Incredibly the vehicle was found still running but with 47,000 miles on it.
As if his news couldn't get better, after Talley's former employer, General Motors, heard his astounding story, they offered to ship it back to him for free.
"I was worried," Talley said of his initial concern of how he would transport it back.

Stolen Corvette Returned 30 Year Later

Stolen Corvette Returned 30 Year Later

Instead, GM's Executive Vice President Mark Reuss assured him that everything would be taken care of.
"The Corvette is on its way safe and sound," he recalled Reuss' words.
An investigation into the vehicle’s theft is reportedly still underway.