A classic car and its trailer were stolen from a southern Dakota County resident, and authorities are turning to the public for help recovering the vintage auto and finding the thief.
A black 1951 Chevrolet Coupe, customized and with a recently replaced engine, was stolen early this month while inside a 24-foot Haulmark trailer, the Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
Gary Schulz, 61, "is most concerned on getting his car back, as it has significant sentimental value to the family," read a crime alert issued by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Schulz said he bought the vehicle in 2014, within a year of his father's death because he "had a very similar car he bought right after World II," when he returned from serving in the Army in Europe.
A review of auto sales websites shows some restored versions of this vehicle priced at tens of thousands of dollars.
Schulz bought this model for about $25,000 and spent another $3,000 or so on a new engine. He drove it to a storage facility in the Hampton area in October.
He believes the car and trailer were stolen from the un-gated facility on Feb. 3, the night of the Super Bowl.
Schulz has insurance for the car, but he's holding off putting in a claim, should it turn up.
In the meantime, he said, "I'm watching Craigslist."
Anyone with information that could help solve this case is urged to call Sheriff's Detective Sean Qualy at 651-438-4727.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
