Papa John's founder pays $250K for beloved Camaro

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the help of a $250,000 reward, the founder of the Papa John's pizza chain has finally reunited with the muscle car he sold years ago to help keep his family's business afloat.

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.

It 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.

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MSP6 - 8/26/2009 10:32:46 AM

+1 Boost

Will it be used as a delivery car ?

Hantra - 8/26/2009 11:19:15 AM

+2 Boost

That's a good story. Makes me proud to have eaten Papa John's last night.

carguy68 - 8/26/2009 12:15:32 PM

-1 Boost

waste of money.

Obliv - 8/26/2009 1:15:30 PM

+3 Boost

Obvious PR stunt. So, after 30 or so years, the car just happens to still be in perfect condition?

Riiight.

WorldofLuxury - 8/26/2009 2:08:20 PM

+2 Boost

lol you gotta just run with the story
I want free pizza...

inspirion7 - 8/27/2009 1:10:45 AM

+2 Boost

that is the beauty of capitalism. Do what you want and everyone else just feel, well like loosers. Stop hating.

Type707 - 8/26/2009 8:43:00 PM

+2 Boost

What a touching story. Women do not understand our relationship with cars...

dotuno - 8/26/2009 9:18:04 PM

+2 Boost

Good thing the owners hadn't turned it as a C.A.R.S. clunker!

RaulT - 8/27/2009 10:11:21 AM

+1 Boost

hahaha good one

PerformanceGuy - 8/27/2009 1:13:42 PM

+1 Boost

If that is what he wants to spend his money on, then that is his decision. Though I don't understand why he would spend that much money on it.