Classic Chevy Impala Stolen From Garden Grove Body Shop

GARDEN GROVE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a one-of-a-kind, classic Chevy Impala was stolen Saturday from a Garden Grove body shop.

Garden Grove police said in a department statement that the red, 1963 convertible with a white top was taken about 9:26 a.m. in the area of Garden Grove Boulevard and Knott.

The statement said the RJ's Paint and Body Shop had just completed restoration on the vehicle when they moved the car to the front of the business pending the owner's arrival.

That's when authorities believe an unknown suspect drove the vehicle westbound on Garden Grove Boulevard.

Sunday evening, KCAL9's Bobby Kaple spoke to the car's heartbroken owner.

"It's a gorgeous convertible," said Nader Amirand, "I'm still not believing it's gone. It hasn't hit me."

Amirand told Kaple the restoration took a full six months. The car is valued at $60,000.

He says when the shop's owners called to tell them someone took the car, in broad daylight no less, he thought they had to be joking.

Amirand says the car is easy to spot and impossible to miss.

"It's red on red. It sticks out like a sore thumb," he said. He's hoping his car hasn't been chopped up by now.

The heartbroken car enthusiast also had a message for the thief.

"I will find you," he said.

Amirand is offering a $5,000 reward for the car's return.

The vehicle has a California license plate number of 7DLG260.

Anyone who has seen the car was asked to dial 911.