Papa John Schnatter reunited with 1971 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - gives away free pizza

There’s good news for Camaro owners who chose not to trade in their classic rides for “cash for clunkers” deal on a Chevy Aveo. Today, and today only, they can get free a pizza at any Papa John's restaurant just for showing up in their Camaros.
 
Papa John’s founder John Schnatter is passing out the pies to celebrate being reunited with his own Camaro, a 1971 Z28 he sold in 1983 for $2,800 to raise cash for his then fledgling business. John says he never gave up hope of finding his beloved Camaro again, which he said was the only asset he had back in the day that could help make his business dreams come true.
 
The strategy has clearly paid off, and even been successful enough to finance reuniting Schnatter with his car. A Web site was set up to promote the search and let people post leads, and Schnatter took his act on a nationwide tour to promote the cause. After all that, a few months, a $250,000 check to the current owner, and a $25,000 finders fee to the previous owners who helped locate the car, Schnatter got his car back.
 
Fortunately for him, the Camaro had passed through just two other owners in the last quarter century, and rather than deteriorating into dust, was looking pretty good. In fact, it had been spending some time on the show circuit and been upgraded to 825hp for drag racing.. 
 
Now, John wants to celebrate with other Camaro owners with free pizza. It may not be a $4,500 CARS credit, but you do get to keep your car. And he’ll even throw in one topping of your choice. Just don’t expect the 825-hp Camaro to be pressed into quick delivery service.
 
—Jim Travers 

Comments

[CyCarConsulting]

He is a genius. How you can sell the most awful pizza to millions of people is truly exceptional. As far as the free pizza goes, no thanks

[Luso]

Great publicity stunt...right?

[Jeff Bartlett - Consumer Reports]

Cy - I had Papa John's last week for the first time in years, and it was very good. In fact, it won a pizza shootout by CR a few years ago.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/food/expired/pizza-showdown-205/overview/index.htm
Ultimately, it is a matter of taste.

Luso - Fantastic publicity stunt. And yet, there is something compelling about being reunited with your first car. Wonder if my '79 Grand Prix was restored, stuffed with an 850-hp V8, and featured in a national magazine?

[CyCarConsulting]

Well Jeff I guess you guys from CR were never in NY

[Derrick G]

Yeah, I guess being based in Yonkers gives most CR staff little occasion to go to anywhere in NY.