Papa John's founder pays $250K for beloved Camaro

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the help of a $250,000 reward, the founder of the Papa John's pizza chain has finally reunited with the muscle car he sold years ago to help keep his family's business afloat.

John Schnatter sold the gold-and-black 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for $2,800 in 1983. The money helped save his father's tavern in Jeffersonville, Ind., and he used the rest to start what would become a worldwide pizza business.

But he still missed his beloved Camaro and spent years searching for it. He created a Web site on the search, held promotional appearances and eventually offered $250,000 to whoever found it.

It turns out he didn't have to leave Kentucky, where the pizza chain is based in Louisville. The car only changed hands twice from the original buyers, ending up with Jeffery Robinson in Flatwoods, about 165 miles to the east.

"When I first saw it I still wanted to look it over to make sure it was the car even though I knew it," Schnatter told The Associated Press. "That kind of hit me emotionally. I was kind of numb."

The original buyers of Schnatter's car heard about the search when he appeared in a TV interview before an NFL game this month. An online search led them to the car blog Jalopnik, which has followed the search and tipped off Papa John's.

Robinson, who bought the car about five years ago for $4,000, recently delivered the Camaro to Schnatter, earning the $250,000 reward. The original buyers will get $25,000 for their help tracking it down.

Schnatter says it looks very much the same as it did when he sold it in 1983, but with a larger motor and fatter tires for drag racing.

The car will be displayed at the company headquarters in Louisville, replacing a replica Schnatter commissioned while he searched for his original car.

In honor of the reunion, Papa John's planned to offer all Camaro owners a free pizza at stores on Wednesday.

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the free pizza is true, i got one today

[HAL 9000 96]

Saw this in the news this morning... enjoy that pizza Charles.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

Saw this in the news this morning... enjoy that pizza Charles.

pepperoni and jalapena!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I just want to go on the record of saying Papa John's Pizza sucks!

[HAL 9000 96]

I just want to go on the record of saying Papa John's Pizza sucks!

Our friendship is now over.

j/k

hey... its free pizza. How dare you?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I offered a .25 reward for the return of my first condom.

Edited August 26, 2009 by spookyturtle

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I offered a .25 reward for the return of my first condom.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I just want to go on the record of saying Papa John's Pizza sucks!

Our friendship is now over.

j/k

hey... its free pizza. How dare you?

Seriously? The two times within the last year that I've ordered pizza from them, it was nearly identical to Dominos - they go budget on the amount of ingredients on the pizza except the tasteless pizza dough! If I order a mushroom pizza, it better be fvckin covered in mushroom, with enough cheese and sauce the compliment it! Cheapskatin' bastads!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Papa John's pizza is shіt, this is true. That said, if it's free I will happily eat shіt.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Papa John's pizza is shіt, this is true. That said, if it's free I will happily eat shіt.

You must be a Republican.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Papa John's pizza is shіt, this is true. That said, if it's free I will happily eat shіt.

The most consistently good pizza I've eaten has been Round Table. I'm Jones'n for some ...maybe tonight.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

He seems happy

Papa Johns pizza is not bad...but then again I haven't found a place here in Austin that makes pizza real Italian style - it's always americanized

Saludos,

Caro

[HAL 9000 96]

I just want to go on the record of saying Papa John's Pizza sucks!

Our friendship is now over.

j/k

hey... its free pizza. How dare you?

Seriously? The two times within the last year that I've ordered pizza from them, it was nearly identical to Dominos - they go budget on the amount of ingredients on the pizza except the tasteless pizza dough! If I order a mushroom pizza, it better be fvckin covered in mushroom, with enough cheese and sauce the compliment it! Cheapskatin' bastads!

Post #9 sums it up.

But hey look at you... all Mr Hippy when it suits you... but Mr. Excess when it doesn't. Commie.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

He seems happy

Papa Johns pizza is not bad...but then again I haven't found a place here in Austin that makes pizza real Italian style - it's always americanized

Saludos,

Caro

Hi Caro!

How about the Austin Pizza Garden?

(866) 953-2680

6266 W Hwy 290

Austin, TX 78735

[JVKn'CVO 11]

He seems happy

Papa Johns pizza is not bad...but then again I haven't found a place here in Austin that makes pizza real Italian style - it's always americanized

Saludos,

Caro

Hi Caro!

How about the Austin Pizza Garden?

(866) 953-2680

6266 W Hwy 290

Austin, TX 78735

Hey Steven!

You've been there? It's not far from home actually, we could give it a try

Saludos,

Caro