Vintage Car Stolen Over 10 Years Ago Turns Up in North Carolina

By Craig Salmon, SKY104, Clayton

In Rabun County, a vintage car Lloyd Donaldson thought he’d never see again has turned up 10 years later.

Franklin, North Carolina Police say they have solved the stolen car case.

SGT Steve Apel said Donaldson had a 1944 Ford Coupe stolen over a decade ago, but didn’t report it because after searching the area, believed it was long gone.  But, recently, the Donaldson’s son spoke to someone who thought they saw the coupe and the son notified police.

SGT. Apel says officers quickly recalled seeing a similar car stored in a garage during a recent search of a local property. Detective Tracy Chastain obtained a search warrant for that property, which is owned by Jimmy Taylor.

Officers matched the VIN the Donaldson’s gave them to the coupe stored in Taylor’s outbuilding, and verified it indeed was the car that was stolen over 10 years ago.  Apel says the vehicle is still in great condition and the Donaldsons were very happy to see it again.

As for Taylor, he’s currently in federal custody facing charges after a recent meth round-up, so officers have not yet formally charged him with stealing the car.