Bandits Make Off with Three Classic Cars from Smoky Mountain Traders in Lenoir City, TN

Loudon County Building Contractor Keith Bledsoe decided to diversify when the recession hit the housing market. He transitioned a long-time hobby of collecting and restoring vintage muscle cars into a business when he opened a classic car dealership.

(Image Courtesy of Knox News. See the other missing cars in the Knox news photo gallery.)

Among the most desirable cars on his sales lot were a red and black 1971 Chevelle Super Sport Convertible, a red and white 1972 Super Sport Chevelle, and an orange and white 1972 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible. (American Idol Bikini girl not included…)

The theft of these three classic muscle cars took place about 5 a.m. on Thursday morning according to an article on Knoxnews.com by J.J. Stambach. Bledsoe’s place of business is called Smokey Mountain Traders and is located at 11840 U.S. Highway 321 in Lenoir City, TN.

Mr. Bledsoe estimated the value of the lost cars conservatively to be $80,000.

Security camera footage shows that at about 4:15 on Thursday three people pulled up to the business in a truck with a trailer. The three walked to a covered car storage area and about 45 minutes later, they drove the cars around a locked gate and were gone.

Having a collector car stolen is absolutely a nightmare for anyone who loves cars,” said DFW Elite Car Storage leasing manager Josh Davis. “I hope that all three cars are recovered soon,” said the Dallas car storage employee.

Bledsoe has upped the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the classic car thieves from $5,000 to $7,500. Anyone with information can contact the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office at 865.986.4823 or Mr. Bledsoe at 865.988.8088.

This article was written by SEO copywriter Eric Anderson. His recent writing projects include copy for a company that provides strategic planning help for small businesses.