Mechanic finds Ford assembly worker's lost wallet in vehicle hood from 11 years ago

Published: Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 2:18 am

Mechanic Unearths Lost Wallet from Ford Assembly Line Worker After 11 Years

A Minnesota mechanic has made an extraordinary discovery, unearthing a wallet lost by a Ford assembly line worker over a decade ago. Chad Volk, owner of LC Car Care in Lake Crystal, was working on a 2015 Ford Edge when he stumbled upon the wallet while replacing cooling fans. The wallet was lodged under the hood, specifically in the area of the airbox.

The wallet belonged to Richard Guilford, a retired Ford employee who worked at a Michigan assembly plant. Guilford lost the wallet in late 2014 while working on Ford Edges. He recalled the day he lost it, explaining that he had been wearing sweatpants, and the wallet slipped out of his shirt pocket while leaning over a vehicle. Despite a thorough search by Guilford and his coworkers, the wallet was never found.

The vehicle, after leaving the assembly plant, traveled to a dealership in Arizona before eventually ending up in Minnesota. Volk, upon discovering the wallet, identified Guilford through his Ford Motor Company employee ID. He then used Facebook to locate Guilford.

Guilford was astonished to learn of the wallet's recovery. The wallet contained $15 in cash, along with long-expired lottery tickets and $250 in Cabela's gift cards. Guilford was pleased to learn that the gift cards could still be used. Volk mailed the wallet to Guilford's home in Petersburg, Michigan. The two men subsequently connected via video chat.

BNN's Perspective: This story is a heartwarming reminder of the unexpected connections that can be made through everyday events. The fact that the wallet, and its contents, survived for over a decade and across state lines is a testament to the durability of both the vehicle and the items within. It's a feel-good story that highlights the importance of honesty and the power of social media to reconnect people.

Keywords: mechanic, Ford, wallet, assembly line, Michigan, Minnesota, lost, found, employee ID, Facebook, gift cards, cash, vehicle, car, auto worker, Ford Edge, Christmas, retired, Cabela's

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