Pizza Chain Founder Papa John's Lost Camaro Z-28 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DET MUSL · 05-29-2009, 10:27 AM

Hey all just read this on Autoblog:

"It's inconceivable that in 1984 there was any young man in America under 30 that did not love both pizza and the Camaro Z-28. John Schnatter had the Chevy. A '72 Z-28 in gold with black stripes, white-letter BFGs on chrome wheels, a sunroof and chrome-tipped duals. In other words, awesome. John felt a strong pull to try his hand at opening a pizza restaurant. To raise the needed working capital, the beloved Camaro had to go. As much as he loved his car, John loved his pizza plans more.

Twenty-five years later, John Schnatter sits atop his Papa John's empire, 3,400 restaurants strong. John's not the only corporate chief with a hankering for a gold sports car, but going on a quest for your long lost automotive love is certainly a pursuit that speaks to the passion with which the CEO chases his goals. Not satisfied to just hit the road in an assuredly great replica of the car we'll call the "lost Z," CEO Schnatter's off on a road trip, which is being covered comprehensively at the papasroadtrip.com web outpost, and his quarry is the very Z-28 he was forced to liquidate so many years ago. He may be able to get some help from the Lost Car Registry, and the $25,000 reward he's offering for anyone who finds the beloved car is certainly motivational. Along the way on his trip, Papa John will make time to deliver pizzas for local franchises, and his vintage Camaro is way nicer than the clapped out ride you'd normally expect to be wheezing up to the curb carrying your pies."

Go to www.papasroadtrip.com for more info about his journey! It's a cool story I think.

PieNsky · 05-29-2009, 10:37 AM

You should see his house that he has in Anchorage,KY. The main office looks like a park with waterfalls and the pond. The man has class.

Tran · 05-29-2009, 10:38 AM

I just read this story too, that's awesome! I hope he finds his Z28

bballplaya210 · 05-29-2009, 11:06 AM

It's good to see guys like this and Jay Leno who actually have a passion for the cars they own instead of just buying an inexpensive car because they want to look the part.

Zeus · 05-29-2009, 11:13 AM

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/p...e-to-find-his/

This guy lives down the street from me... im tempted to walk down there and ask him about this

Splitter · 05-29-2009, 11:20 AM

I read about that car on a Papa Johns pizza box. I hope he finds it!

Gentry78 · 05-29-2009, 11:21 AM

i knew there had to be some kind of background to that commercial lol

hope he gets her back

Gentry78 · 05-29-2009, 11:35 AM

do it man and tell him about camaro5

IROCanSS · 05-29-2009, 11:38 AM

I found mine... it was easy. Took about 4 hours and $30 to carfax, $35 to a title search company and about $5000 and the car is back in my garage after 17 years....

Bought the IROC new 6/2/89, sold in 12/1991... fast forward to 8/2008 and I found it and bought it back. Never to be sold again, and it was in really good shape.

GOOD LUCK PAPA!

nUcLeArEnVoY · 05-29-2009, 11:40 AM

God, I hope that car isn't rotting in some junkyard where the douchebag landlord won't sell it because 'he plans to restore it.'

Georgie · 05-29-2009, 11:44 AM

guy should just get a new SS instead... his pizza is good though

orion007 · 05-29-2009, 12:42 PM

From what I can gather this car was sold to someone in the Jeffersonville, Ind area in 1983 for $2800. Would be nice if someone from this site claimed the prize.

http://www.papasroadtrip.com/contest/

MEDISIN · 05-29-2009, 12:50 PM

that's awesome - I hope he finds it! just goes to show how much a machine means to a man.

Sinergy · 05-29-2009, 12:55 PM

I watched a commercial with him standing in front of a 72 Z28... Must be nice to be rich.

Supermans · 05-29-2009, 12:57 PM

I have his car in my garage however I ain't giving it up for $25,000.. A million and its his..He can afford that..

orion007 · 05-29-2009, 12:57 PM

If someone can find it they can pretty much get a 1LT for free. I really hope someone on here can locate the car. If there are any GM employees that can tell us the vin numbers of all the gold w/blk stripe '72 Z28 that were sent to the Indiana area that would be helpful. I imagine it could only be a handful. That would definately lead us to the right direction.

A little more digging. Only 2,575 Z28's were made..

Hemlawk · 05-29-2009, 01:11 PM

It has already been melted down and made into a Toyota Yaris..

CWI · 05-29-2009, 04:24 PM

That's cool. I'd like to find my old '68. I don't think it would be easy, I don't have the VIN or anything. I also doubt whether DMV the bank or insurance company would still have any records from 1976.

CWI · 05-29-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orion007

If someone can find it they can pretty much get a 1LT for free. I really hope someone on here can locate the car. If there are any GM employees that can tell us the vin numbers of all the gold w/blk stripe '72 Z28 that were sent to the Indiana area that would be helpful. I imagine it could only be a handful. That would definately lead us to the right direction.

A little more digging. Only 2,575 Z28's were made..

With more than 10,000 members on Camaro5, we all work together to find it, that would be about $2.50 each.

camaro5 · 05-29-2009, 04:56 PM

John sold his Camaro to open his first pizza shop.

He's an American success story, I hope he finds his original Camaro.

I was just explaining this to my 19yr old son, as we watched one of the road commercials.

True Camaro Love

darthknight72 · 05-31-2009, 03:16 AM

This is pretty funny because I work for the company (Cardinal) that has the Papa Johns account.Im a truck driver,and we deliver to the Papa Johns in the area.I hace a co-driver and we deliver to Akron,oh. Columbus,oh and Baltimore,md.You wouldnt believe how many papa johns there are.I hope the dude finds his car.Im not real sure what kind of condition it would be in after all thos time.

Xmicro_SS · 05-31-2009, 03:23 AM

Hope he finds that car, but I am sure whoever has it will be holding out for some serious coin.

And to a NYer Papa Johns is to Pizza what McDonalds is to Steak.

patriotpa · 05-31-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xmicro_SS

Hope he finds that car, but I am sure whoever has it will be holding out for some serious coin.

And to a NYer Papa Johns is to Pizza what McDonalds is to Steak.

I've had both pizzas. They're both good. McDonalds is swill.

nUcLeArEnVoY · 05-31-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xmicro_SS

Hope he finds that car, but I am sure whoever has it will be holding out for some serious coin.

And to a NYer Papa Johns is to Pizza what McDonalds is to Steak.

Ah, NY pizza. My mother is from Staten Island and my sister is OBSESSED with the place... they won't take any pizza without equating it to what you guys make and NY Pizza always wins. Best thing about NY pizza is that most joints will actually give you just a slice for a dollar or something instead of having to buy a whole pie.

Vash · 05-31-2009, 01:42 PM

He should get some new ones and get them wrapped in Papa Johns advertisements.

Maybe give one away as a contest like the Dr Pep.

05-29-2009, 10:27 AM	#1
DET MUSL Let's Go Wings! Drives: 2005 Cobalt SS/SC Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sandusky, Ohio Posts: 313 View My Garage	Pizza Chain Founder Papa John's Lost Camaro Z-28 Hey all just read this on Autoblog: "It's inconceivable that in 1984 there was any young man in America under 30 that did not love both pizza and the Camaro Z-28. John Schnatter had the Chevy. A '72 Z-28 in gold with black stripes, white-letter BFGs on chrome wheels, a sunroof and chrome-tipped duals. In other words, awesome. John felt a strong pull to try his hand at opening a pizza restaurant. To raise the needed working capital, the beloved Camaro had to go. As much as he loved his car, John loved his pizza plans more. Twenty-five years later, John Schnatter sits atop his Papa John's empire, 3,400 restaurants strong. John's not the only corporate chief with a hankering for a gold sports car, but going on a quest for your long lost automotive love is certainly a pursuit that speaks to the passion with which the CEO chases his goals. Not satisfied to just hit the road in an assuredly great replica of the car we'll call the "lost Z," CEO Schnatter's off on a road trip, which is being covered comprehensively at the papasroadtrip.com web outpost, and his quarry is the very Z-28 he was forced to liquidate so many years ago. He may be able to get some help from the Lost Car Registry, and the $25,000 reward he's offering for anyone who finds the beloved car is certainly motivational. Along the way on his trip, Papa John will make time to deliver pizzas for local franchises, and his vintage Camaro is way nicer than the clapped out ride you'd normally expect to be wheezing up to the curb carrying your pies." Go to www.papasroadtrip.com for more info about his journey! It's a cool story I think. __________________ Current Ride 2005 Cobalt SS/SC Mods: GMPP Stage 2 K&N CAI Vibrant Racing Muffler Carbon Fiber Hood w/ SS style scoop Black Wheels Best 1/4 Mile Time 13.8 @ 101.4mph

05-29-2009, 10:37 AM	#2
PieNsky Drives: Victory Red 1LS Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Louisville,KY Posts: 1,735 View My Garage	You should see his house that he has in Anchorage,KY. The main office looks like a park with waterfalls and the pond. The man has class. __________________ Stainless Works Headers & Exhaust RevolutionSS Hood

05-29-2009, 10:38 AM	#3
Tran Administrator Drives: 2010 Camaro of course.... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NE baby Posts: 4,377	I just read this story too, that's awesome! I hope he finds his Z28 __________________ >>> Visit our CAMARO BLOG <<<< >>> Visit our CORVETTE BLOG <<<<

05-29-2009, 11:13 AM	#5
Zeus BOOOOOM MF'R!! Drives: to Chipotle daily Join Date: May 2009 Location: Flo-Rida Posts: 3,625	Papa John wants his Z28 back http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/29/p...e-to-find-his/ This guy lives down the street from me... im tempted to walk down there and ask him about this

05-29-2009, 11:20 AM	#6
Splitter Hot Rod Station Wagon Drives: '05 Magnum R/T Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Amherst; Boston; Cape Cod, MA Posts: 388	I read about that car on a Papa Johns pizza box. I hope he finds it! __________________ Magnaflow Catback Performance Exhaust, Airaid CAI, Diablosport Predator 91 CAI Tune w/ 93 Octane, Demolded, Rebadged, PD Front Fascia, PD Rear Diffuser

05-29-2009, 11:06 AM	#4
bballplaya210 Drives: 2002 Honda S2000 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 40	It's good to see guys like this and Jay Leno who actually have a passion for the cars they own instead of just buying an inexpensive car because they want to look the part.

05-29-2009, 11:21 AM	#7
Gentry78 HOOK'EM Drives: 97 c1500/92 olds Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,284	i knew there had to be some kind of background to that commercial lol hope he gets her back

05-29-2009, 11:35 AM	#8
Gentry78 HOOK'EM Drives: 97 c1500/92 olds Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,284	do it man and tell him about camaro5

05-29-2009, 11:38 AM	#9
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,521 View My Garage	I found mine... it was easy. Took about 4 hours and $30 to carfax, $35 to a title search company and about $5000 and the car is back in my garage after 17 years.... Bought the IROC new 6/2/89, sold in 12/1991... fast forward to 8/2008 and I found it and bought it back. Never to be sold again, and it was in really good shape. GOOD LUCK PAPA!

05-29-2009, 11:40 AM	#10
nUcLeArEnVoY Oldbie that nobody knows Drives: Black 2011 Camaro 1SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 2,868 View My Garage	God, I hope that car isn't rotting in some junkyard where the douchebag landlord won't sell it because 'he plans to restore it.' __________________ MY CAMARO

05-29-2009, 11:44 AM	#11
Georgie Drives: Camaro... soon Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,217	guy should just get a new SS instead... his pizza is good though __________________ 2011 IOM or CGM 1SS

05-29-2009, 12:42 PM	#12
orion007 Drives: 2006 Corvette Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 25	Papa John's to pay $25K if you find his '72 Z28 From what I can gather this car was sold to someone in the Jeffersonville, Ind area in 1983 for $2800. Would be nice if someone from this site claimed the prize. http://www.papasroadtrip.com/contest/

05-29-2009, 12:50 PM	#13
MEDISIN Drives: 2011 CTS-V Sedan Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Posts: 818 View My Garage	that's awesome - I hope he finds it! just goes to show how much a machine means to a man. __________________ 2012 - Present: 2011 CTS-V Sedan, A6, Black Raven 2009 - 2012: 2010 2SS RS IBM M6 Photos, MGW Shifter, BMR Trailing Arms/Tunnel Brace, Roto-Fab CAI, VMAX Ported TB, Kooks 6511-Complete (Headers, X-Pipe, Mufflers), dyno tuned by R.P.M. = 415 hp/412 lb-ft.

05-29-2009, 12:55 PM	#14
Sinergy Drives: em crazy. Join Date: May 2009 Location: Right here Posts: 306	I watched a commercial with him standing in front of a 72 Z28... Must be nice to be rich.

05-29-2009, 12:57 PM	#15
Supermans Camaro & Stang Enthusiast Drives: 2011 Mustang 5.0 in Kona Blue Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 4,759 View My Garage	I have his car in my garage however I ain't giving it up for $25,000.. A million and its his..He can afford that.. __________________ Bought my Camaro from Eric Hall(817) 421-7266

05-29-2009, 01:11 PM	#17
Hemlawk AwesomeBillDawesonville Drives: CGM 2SS/RS =) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 2,073	It has already been melted down and made into a Toyota Yaris.. __________________ Order placed on 1/13/11 - Purchased 2/22/11 2SS/RS CGM

05-29-2009, 04:24 PM	#18
CWI Helping Build America Drives: 2010 2SS/RS,LS3 2006 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Nationwide Posts: 3,520 View My Garage	That's cool. I'd like to find my old '68. I don't think it would be easy, I don't have the VIN or anything. I also doubt whether DMV the bank or insurance company would still have any records from 1976. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit, what a ride!"

05-29-2009, 04:56 PM	#20
camaro5 Drives: Off Into The Sunset Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 4,428	John sold his Camaro to open his first pizza shop. He's an American success story, I hope he finds his original Camaro. I was just explaining this to my 19yr old son, as we watched one of the road commercials. True Camaro Love

05-31-2009, 03:16 AM	#21
darthknight72 Drives: 1983 trans am Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 127	This is pretty funny because I work for the company (Cardinal) that has the Papa Johns account.Im a truck driver,and we deliver to the Papa Johns in the area.I hace a co-driver and we deliver to Akron,oh. Columbus,oh and Baltimore,md.You wouldnt believe how many papa johns there are.I hope the dude finds his car.Im not real sure what kind of condition it would be in after all thos time.

05-31-2009, 03:23 AM	#22
Xmicro_SS Thank You GM Drives: Sky Redline & Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,895	Hope he finds that car, but I am sure whoever has it will be holding out for some serious coin. And to a NYer Papa Johns is to Pizza what McDonalds is to Steak. __________________ ITS HERE! : 2010 Camaro 2SS / 6 Speed Manual (No other way) / Silver Ice Metallic / Inferno Orange Interior Accent / RS Package / Polished Wheels / SOLO MACH X CAT BACK

05-31-2009, 01:42 PM	#25
Vash Drives: 00 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,128	He should get some new ones and get them wrapped in Papa Johns advertisements. Maybe give one away as a contest like the Dr Pep.

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