Robert Russell from Texas has recovered a vintage sports car he spotted being sold on eBay 42 years after thieves stole it from him, officials in California say.

Robert Russell, 66, said he had never given up searching for the 1967 Austin-Healey, which was stolen in 1970.

After seeing the car on eBay, he found that the vehicle identification number on the website matched the one on his title certificate, AP reports.

The car was being put up for auction by a dealer in Los Angeles.

Robert Russell said he had never given up searching for the 1967 Austin-Healey, which was stolen in 1970

The dealer told Robert Russell they had bought it from a man who said it had been in his family since 1970.

After checking Robert Russell’s claim, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told him he could pick up his vehicle.

He has since brought it back to Texas where he currently lives, AP says.

Robert Russell told police he had originally bought the vehicle for $3,000. It is now valued at $23,000.