George Talley and his prized ’79 Chevrolet Corvette were reunited at General Motors’ world headquarters yesterday, just three miles from where the car was stolen from him 33 years ago.
Talley, 71, last saw his ‘Vette when it was parked on Jefferson Avenue in 1981. On June 13, more than 30 years later, Talley received a call from AAA informing him his car had turned up in Hattiesburg, Miss.
“It was a lucky day to hear that my car had been found,” said Talley. “They told me it was running, had 47,000 miles on it and was ready for me to pick up!”
Talley has been a Corvette fan since he saw his neighbor’s first-generation ‘Vette in the 1950s and has been fortunate enough to own three more Corvettes, but the ’79 was always his favorite.
When Mark Reuss, executive vice president for GM Product Development heard the story on the news, he offered to ship the car home to Detroit for the lucky man.
“George’s story brought a smile to my face,” said Reuss. “As a longtime Corvette owner myself, I know the passion the car inspires. I also knew that car belonged home in Detroit, with its rightful owner, and we could make that happen.”
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George Talley is reunited with his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the General Motors World Headquarters – 33 years after it was stolen on Jefferson Avenue, just three miles away – in Detroit, Michigan. Talley received a call from AAA informing him his car turned up in Hattesburg, Mississipi. GM Executive Vice President Mark Reuss heard the story on the news and had the car shipped back to the Renaissance Center for its return to Talley. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors) -
George Talley is reunited with his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the General Motors World Headquarters – 33 years after it was stolen on Jefferson Avenue, just three miles away – in Detroit, Michigan. Talley received a call from AAA informing him his car turned up in Hattesburg, Mississipi. GM Executive Vice President Mark Reuss heard the story on the news and had the car shipped back to the Renaissance Center for its return to Talley. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors) -
George Talley is reunited with his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the General Motors World Headquarters – 33 years after it was stolen on Jefferson Avenue, just three miles away – in Detroit, Michigan. Talley received a call from AAA informing him his car turned up in Hattesburg, Mississipi. GM Executive Vice President Mark Reuss heard the story on the news and had the car shipped back to the Renaissance Center for its return to Talley. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors) -
George Talley is reunited with his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the General Motors World Headquarters – 33 years after it was stolen on Jefferson Avenue, just three miles away – in Detroit, Michigan. Talley received a call from AAA informing him his car turned up in Hattesburg, Mississipi. GM Executive Vice President Mark Reuss heard the story on the news and had the car shipped back to the Renaissance Center for its return to Talley. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors) -
George Talley is reunited with his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the General Motors World Headquarters – 33 years after it was stolen on Jefferson Avenue, just three miles away – in Detroit, Michigan. Talley received a call from AAA informing him his car turned up in Hattesburg, Mississipi. GM Executive Vice President Mark Reuss heard the story on the news and had the car shipped back to the Renaissance Center for its return to Talley. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors) -
George Talley is reunited with his 1979 Chevrolet Corvette Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the General Motors World Headquarters – 33 years after it was stolen on Jefferson Avenue, just three miles away – in Detroit, Michigan. Talley received a call from AAA informing him his car turned up in Hattesburg, Mississipi. GM Executive Vice President Mark Reuss heard the story on the news and had the car shipped back to the Renaissance Center for its return to Talley. (Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors)
