Indian Wells Man Asking For Help In Finding Stolen Custom Chevy

It is painful for Indian Wells resident Ed Carter to walk into his garage and see a rental car instead of his beloved 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Carter bought the souped-up Chevelle in 2008, then spent more than $100,000 customizing it.

“The power assisted disc brakes, the turbo-hydromatic transmission, all tube front end, the custom radiator — each cylinder has its own ignition system,” said Carter, listing the custom work done on the car.

But after buying the car he wanted, and building it the way he wanted — someone else wanted Ed’s car too.

About a month ago, Ed took the Chevelle to his mechanic’s garage at Line Up Engineering in Palm Springs to have some work done on it.

When Ed returned to pick up the car, the mechanic gave him the keys.

“He handed me the keys, I walked out front — didn’t see the car. He had this startled look on his face like he’d seen a ghost. The car was gone. I just lost it,” said Carter.

There were no visible signs of a theft and police are investigating.

Ed wonders if his Chevelle turned up after authorities last week seized more than a dozen stolen luxury cars bound for Asia at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

But that may be a long-shot.

Ed, now 74 years-old, grew up loving cars and even raced for several years. He says the loss has been devastating.

“Made me feel worse than when I was diagnosed with cancer,” said Carter.

He’s now offering $5,000 to get the car back — $20,000 more if the thief is caught.

“Whoever took it, I hope he doesn’t enjoy it. I hope he breaks it three or four times and doesn’t know what to do or how to fix it. Maybe he’ll call me and say ‘I’m through with it. You can have it back.’ It would be nice,” said Carter.