Dr. Phil speaks out about stolen Chevy, reward offered

Nearly one week after his $100,000 1957 Chevy Bel Air was stolen from a Los Angeles repair shop, Dr. Phil McGraw is speaking out about the incident to Drive On.

Not surprisingly, McGraw told the website that he is quite upset over the event. McGraw, a psychologist and daytime television host, is particularly peeved about how the theft allegedly occurred.

According to McGraw, the car thieves bypassed a Shelby Cobra and Porsche 911 Turbo (with the keys inside), to get to his 1957 Chevy convertible. “You just feel violated,” said McGraw.

Although it would seem unlikely that a stolen ’57 Chevy would go far, detectives told McGraw that four other Bel Airs had been stolen in Southern California recently. The doctor told Drive On that he fears the car might be smuggled out of the country to an overseas buyer.

Aside from the details surrounding the crime, McGraw also expressed his immense admiration for the car to Drive On. “I love the fins, the grille – everything about it,” said McGraw. “It always hit me as just right,” he added. The vehicle had been fully restored, according to McGraw. Not only did McGraw “beef up the brakes” and add up to date tires, he also put in a satellite radio.

Bells and whistles notwithstanding, McGraw’s vintage Chevy was not exempt from mechanical problems. In fact, the doctor’s car had been suffering from transmission slippage, which is why it was taken into the auto shop. The vehicle was transported to the shop at roughly 7 p.m. Sunday, and stolen several hours later at 11:45 p.m.

Despite the fact that the theft has been widely covered by most news outlets, there is no new information surrounding the misdeed. In hopes of obtaining some new leads, a $1,000 reward is being offered for the arrest and conviction of the thief, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The reward is dependent on the safe return of the car. The reward is being put up by Rodz, the Burbank repair shop where McGraw’s “valued possession” was lifted.

Source: Drive On

Image: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Also read: Dr. Phil's classic '57 Chevy stolen