Missing For A Quarter Century, Stolen Truck Found In A River

Most people would say after your truck has been missing for a quarter century you should just give up on it ever being found. Maybe there’s some wisdom in that, but someone’s truck which was stolen back in 1999 was just hauled out of a river in California, showing that maybe you should never give up on your dreams.

See a WWII vehicle graveyard underwater.

Although it’s true the 1978 Ford Courier Pickup doesn’t exactly look to be in mint condition. We don’t know how long it spent at the bottom of the Feather River before California Highway Patrol hauled it out with the help of a tow truck, but we wouldn’t be shocked it was about a quarter of a century.

After all, it was thoroughly coated in river silt and looked worse for wear in a photo shared by CHP. The tires on the driver’s side, and we’d be willing to be on the passenger side as well, were completely pancaked all around.

While the windshield was also shattered, there’s no telling if that was done before or after the truck was driven into the river.

CHP is investigating the vehicle and working to contact the last known owner. There’s always a chance that person is no longer alive, considering how long ago it was reported stolen. And we doubt they’ll want it back.

When a vehicle spends years underwater, or even just a few days, it’s just never the same. This is why buying flood-damaged cars is a huge gamble. Not only can the water mess with the electrical system, just days after being pulled for a body of water like this the metal on the frame and body will begin to rust like crazy. So this truck is certainly a total loss, perhaps dumped there after the thieves were done having their fun.

Image via CHP – Oroville/Facebook