August 25, 2009

"John Schnatter sold the gold-and-black 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 for $2,800 in 1983."

"The money helped save his father's tavern in Jeffersonville, Ind., and he used the rest to start what would become a worldwide pizza business. But he still missed his beloved Camaro and spent years searching for it. He created a Web site on the search, held promotional appearances and eventually offered $250,000 to whoever found it. t turns out he didn't have to leave Kentucky, where the pizza chain is based in Louisville. The car only changed hands twice from the original buyers, ending up with Jeffery Robinson in Flatwoods, about 165 miles to the east."

The pizza business is Papa John's, and the story is delightful.

13 comments:

Ignorance is Bliss said...

It would have been so fitting if he found that it had been destroyed as part of Cash for Clunkers.

An Edjamikated Redneck said...

Flatwoods KY was the home of a fella by the name of Billy Ray Cyrus, before he had an 'Achy Breaky Heart'.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.


WV- Ranchows- The Purina food you feed Ranch hands

Unknown said...

Slightly OT but I just saw a new Camaro "in the wild" Very nice looking car. Has it been out long?

DADvocate said...

Edjamikated has it right. Billy Ray's hometown. I was there last fall when my son got his first start on the varsity football team and they beat Billy Ray's alma mater, Russell High, for the first time ever on Russell's home field. They love Camaro's in Kentucky.

Penny said...

This is TOTALLY a side note from this Althouse post, but do you ever wonder why some NYT's links lead directly to the article referenced while other links ask us to "sign in for free" before we get to the meat?

I am sure there is some easy answer to this that I am unaware of, so if those "in the know" could kindly inform, it would be much appreciated.

Methadras said...

I heard about this, but my first thought was that he would never find it. Good on him.

Chris Arabia said...

And you, a law professor!

(Thanks to Synova and Maguro)


wv = untie

Joe said...

Too bad Papa John's pizza is some of the worse pizza I've ever eaten. Frozen pizza is better.

Ralph L said...

I saw a Camaro at a dealer in late May, which I think was at least a month after the first ones were sold. Still another year at least until the convertible. GM is always about 5 years too late to the party.

Anthony said...

I was wondering about the commercial where he is driving it around delivering pizzas. Pretty neat. I'm more of a fan of the later '70s Camaros and Firebirds, not for performance reasons but I think they looked better. But then, that's why I blog for Car Lust. . . .

MadisonMan said...

Papa John's was my pizza of choice in Madison back before Glass Nickel started delivery. Now I'd rather eat Roman Candle or Ian's. I wish those two would deliver to my house on the fabulous near west side. Oh well. Maybe it's just as well that they don't.

MadisonMan said...

@Ignorance: A 1971 car was ineligible for Cash for Clunkers. I think they had to be post 1984 models.

Bissage said...

It warms the heart to know that they finally re-made "Citizen Kane," this time with a happy ending.