Man Reunited With Stolen 1967 Austin Healey After Spotting It On eBay

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — One man's persistence has finally paid off.

Robert Russell was recently reunited with his stolen 1967 Austin Healey after spending the past 42 years periodically searching for it.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release that Russell told deputies in May that he had spotted a vehicle in an eBay ad that resembled his stolen sports car.

The car, which had sentimental value to Russell and his wife, had been taken from him in October of 1970, authorities said.

The department says Russell was able to positively identify the vehicle by checking the information against its Certificate of Title, which he had kept.

Detective Carlos Ortega subsequently found the car in Los Angeles, which according to deputies, is in fair condition.

It has an estimated value of $23,000. Russell told deputies he had originally purchased it for $3,000.

The car has since been transported to Texas where Russell and his wife currently reside.