A retired autoworker’s wallet from Michigan was found under the hood of a car in Minnesota, over ten years after he vanished while working at a Ford assembly plant.
Richard Guilford’s wallet, made of triple leather and containing his driver’s license, work ID, $275 in gift cards, some cash, and lottery tickets, surfaced in June. It was found by a mechanic named Chad Fork, wedged between the transmission of a 2015 Ford Edge and an air filter box.
Bolk, the mechanic, humorously reached out to Guilford on Facebook, asking if he had lost a wallet years ago. He included a photo showing the wallet and a young image of Guilford.
“It’s crazy,” Bolk commented about the unexpected find.
Guilford recalled that he had been working on that same Ford vehicle at the Wayne assembly plant in 2014 when he discovered his wallet was missing. He searched through numerous cars but, ultimately, had to give up hope of finding it—a gift from his son.
Reflecting on the experience, he noted the considerable time that had passed without success. “You just have to work; I was on the clock,” he said. “Life went on.”
Now 56 and residing in Petersburg, Michigan, Guilford retired from Ford in 2024 after nearly 35 years.
“What shocked me was how well it was preserved,” he said. “Think about it: 11 years of rain and snow. I couldn’t believe it.”
Interestingly, one of the gift cards he found was from outdoor retailer Cabela’s, and the $250 card was still valid. The company even offered him more as a way to commemorate his good fortune.
“I’ll just keep everything as it is. It’s sitting in a cabinet at home. It’s for my kids,” Guilford shared. “They can tell my great-grandson about this story. I think it’s fascinating.”
