SoCal mans bittersweet reunion with stolen 1969 Camaro caught on camera

A Southern California man has been reunited with a long-lost piece of his family history, but the emotional homecoming comes with a hefty price tag.Victor Munoz, of Orange County, recently laid eyes on his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro for the first time in 17 years after it was stolen in 2009.The car, a gift from his late father, was discovered last week in the backyard of a home in Whittier by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators.“I haven’t seen this car in 17 years,” Munoz told CBS as the moment unfolded.What deputies recovered was far from the pristine vehicle he once knew.The Camaro was stripped down and barely functional. Missing tires, bumpers, windows, lights, and even the passenger-side door.Still, Munoz didn’t hesitate.“Yeah, this is my car.Yeah, that’s the car,” he said.

“That’s my car.Wow.”The vehicle holds deep sentimental value.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Munoz’s father, David Munoz, a Vietnam War veteran, bought the Camaro in 1969, the very day he returned to the United States.Years later, he passed it down to his son as a birthday gift.“At the time, when I was 16, I didn’t know how important this car was, but especially losing it, it’s more important to me now than ever,” Munoz said.

Investigators say it was located about 30 miles from the body shop where it had been taken.California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!For nearly two decades, Munoz had no answers about what happened to the car.The person who had purchased it was unawa...