Gore builder Matt Mowat, 40, said he was halfway to restoring the classic Chrysler Valiant AP5, which was stolen on Sunday morning, having dusted the car off out of storage following his recent return from a 20-year stint in Australia.
Security footage had revealed the "unique", sky-blue vehicle — worth about $30,000 — had been taken by a man of medium build from a Mersey St workshop yard at 6.06am.
Although the theft was reported to police, Mr Mowat had conducted a private search himself through newspapers, social media and other online resources.
Last night, he told the Otago Daily Times the car had been located at a Waikoikoi address, north of Gore, yesterday afternoon following a tip-off.
"We located it before the cops could get to it and then once we found it, we let the cops know and then they went in and done their stuff," Mr Mowat said.
"[It was] the power of people, the power of social media."
He said the car was with police for forensic examination and he hoped to have it back in the coming days.
"I’m so rapt, it’s unreal.
"It's just in a shed and it's still in working order at the moment, so we're pretty happy about that one — I'm actually really happy, I'm really ecstatic."
However, Mr Mowat said he was frustrated by the police investigation and felt it was his own work which located the car, rather than the police’s efforts.
Mr Mowat had enjoyed introducing his partner and children to the "very Gore, very mongrel" classic cruiser and said they were also thrilled it had been found.
