LA man gets long-stolen Mustang back

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

LOS ANGELES - A Los Angeles man is getting his stolen Mustang back — 38 years after it was stolen. The vehicle has an extra 300,000 miles and a different paint job, but Eugene Brakke's 1965 Mustang is evidently running just fine.

Brakke reported the car stolen to Burbank police in May 1970.

One month later, a Long Beach teenager named Judy Smongesky received the car as a high school graduation gift from her father, who had bought it at a Bellflower used car dealer.

Smongesky, who now lives in San Diego, said Thursday she had been driving and maintaining the car for nearly four decades, and only learned that it had been stolen when she recently prepared to sell it. San Diego police verified the car was hot.

"It's his car, even though he had it for four years and I had it for 38," Smongesky said. "He seems like a real nice gentleman, though."

Brakke found out Smongesky had twice rebuilt the engine and painted the Mustang from its old gold color to silver-blue.

"He wasn't too happy with that," Smongesky said.

The pair planned to meet up to transfer the car soon.

"It was hard but it was the right thing to do," Smongesky said. "I haven't really cried yet, but when he drives it away, I think I'll fall apart."

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[Mags 112]

Well she IS planning to sell it so someone was going to drive it away anyway. However, I'm sure he got an insurance pay out so he should first pay back the insurance company before taking it home. Or he could be nice and let her have it and the proceeds of the sale.

[Sister Fracas 5]

I'd cry too if I had to see the sale of a well-maintained 65 Mustang go right out of the window, but cool for him in getting it back.

[Krikit 1,164]

Brakke found out Smongesky had twice rebuilt the engine and painted the Mustang from its old gold color to silver-blue.

"He wasn't too happy with that," Smongesky said.

Wow. Personally, I wouldn't be too happy that she hadn't maintained its original colour, either, but that would be tempered by the fact that I'd be getting it back. And the insurance company would be welcome to the payout back, because I'd be getting a vehicle that's worth more now than it was then. I guess she could sue the original dealer who sold the hot car if she wants to be compensated?

If he's not incarcerated or no longer in business, that is.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Brakke found out Smongesky had twice rebuilt the engine and painted the Mustang from its old gold color to silver-blue.

"He wasn't too happy with that," Smongesky said.

Wow. Personally, I wouldn't be too happy that she hadn't maintained its original colour, either, but that would be tempered by the fact that I'd be getting it back. And the insurance company would be welcome to the payout back, because I'd be getting a vehicle that's worth more now than it was then. I guess she could sue the original dealer who sold the hot car if she wants to be compensated?

He sould be thrilled he's getting his car at all, instead of bring unhappy about a stupid color change which he can get taken care of easily. GOLD???

[Krikit 1,164]

He sould be thrilled he's getting his car at all, instead of bring unhappy about a stupid color change which he can get taken care of easily. GOLD???

Yeah.... perspective. lol. The colour change is more to do with value than aesthetics. Gold's a pretty ugly colour for a car until you throw some dollar signs in front of it. LOL