Skip to main content

Papa John’s stolen 1971 Chevrolet Camaro has been found in Detroit, and Papa is pleased

Papa John’s pizza founder John Schnatter did not have a good past couple days. Business was fine, but his beloved 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 replica was stolen from Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

As part of a promotion for Papa John’s pizza, Schnatter coordinated his Camaro’s delivery to the car show from its home in Kentucky. Early Sunday morning, a thief absconded with a tow truck, trailer, and the ’71 Camaro … but not for long.

Recommended Videos

“We believe the pressure of the media forced them to dump the vehicle,” Sgt. Jonathan Parnell, of the Detroit Police Department’s commercial auto theft unit, told The Detroit News.

Ernest Webster discovered the vehicle stuffed between two abandoned homes while he was mowing a nearby lawn. Not far off, the stolen truck and trailer were found.

“I saw the car parked between those two houses,” Webster said. “I said, ‘Man, that looks like that Papa John’s car.’ I looked inside and it was really clean. I called my brother-in-law, who is a cop, and he told me to call 911.”

old papa john and camaro
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The pleased Papa has pledged a $16,000 reward for finding the stolen car “once the investigation is closed.”

“Papa John’s can confirm that John Schnatter’s beloved replica Chevy Z28 Camaro, which was stolen this Sunday night from the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit, has been discovered,” the pizza proprietor stated. “We are thrilled that a piece of our company’s history has been recovered, and we will continue to work with authorities during their ongoing investigation.”

“Thrilled” is probably understated as the story of how Schnatter found his long-lost Camaro is quite the tale. Schnatter sold the Camaro in 1983 to fund his pizza business, and in 2009, he offered $250,000 for any information that could lead him to his vehicle. As luck would have it, the car was located close to Papa John’s headquarters in Kentucky.

Unless John is behind the wheel (or within eye sight), don’t expect to see his golden Camaro far from its homeland anytime soon.

[Header image courtesy of Jerry Edmundson/Flickr]

Miles Branman
Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…
8 key things you need to know from Apple’s WWDC 2025 event
From a fresh look and updated names, to new features, more intelligence and live translation
iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and macOS 26 shown on devices.

The WWDC 2025 keynote ran for just over an hour and a half. For those of you who don't fancy sitting through the whole presentation, we've pulled out the key things you need to know from the latest Apple event.

1. Welcome to the 26 club

Read more
Tesla’s robotaxi service is almost here, but it’s not the car you want to see
Silver Tesla Model Y Juniper side

Tesla chief Elon Musk has said that the automaker is aiming to launch its robotaxi service on June 22, in Austin, Texas.

“Tentatively, June 22,” Musk said in a post on X on Tuesday, adding: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.”

Read more
I tried an e-bike for the first time and now I’m hooked
It’s not about being a 'bike person', it’s about finding small upgrades to everyday life
A woman sitting on the Aventon Pace 4

Before this year, I’d never even touched an e-bike before, and the thought of riding one was never on my radar. With life already in constant motion thanks to two toddlers, biking wasn’t something I ever considered adding to the mix.

I’d always assumed e-bikes were for hardcore commuters or serious cyclists, not someone like me. I wasn’t looking for a big lifestyle change. I just wanted a quicker way to get to the park so we’d have more time to play before dinner.

Read more