Stolen Chevelle Reunited with Owner After 33 YearsCalifornia Highway Patrol - Auburn / FacebookMost owners who have their cars stolen eventually accept that they'll probably never see them again. After days turn into weeks, then months, and then years, the odds of a happy reunion become increasingly slim. But one California muscle car owner recently received a phone call they likely stopped expecting decades ago: according to the California Highway Patrol's Auburn office, a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle SS stolen in San Mateo County in 1993 has finally been recovered and reunited with its proper family.The unexpected discovery came during a VIN inspection, according to authorites, as CHP Auburn officers reportedly noticed something about the Chevelle that warranted taking a closer look. Investigators haven't detailed exactly what raised their suspicions, but further examination revealed that the classic Chevy sitting in front of them was the same car reported stolen over 30 years prior.CHP Auburn then worked with the San Mateo Police Department to confirm the Chevelle's history, and locate its original owner. "After more than three decades, this classic is finally back where it belongs," CHP Auburn wrote in a Facebook post announcing the recovery.Exactly where the Chevelle has been hiding since Jurassic Park came out remains a mystery. CHP hasn't said how the vehicle came into the possession of the person who brought it in for the VIN inspection, nor whether that person knew about the car's stolen history. However, based on the photograph shared in the Facebook post, the Chevelle SS appears to be in excellent condition and ready for its next cruise night.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's entirely possible that whoever had this Chevy before it returned to its pre-purloining owner believed they had purchased the car legitimately, perhaps even caring for it for years before suddenly learning it belonged to someone else. If that's the case, this story has a bittersweet ending. We're happy the person who lost the car in 1993 finally has their Chevelle back after 33 years, but it's hard not to feel some sympathy for someone who may have genuinely believed this classic was rightfully theirs.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State