Only in pop-country can they get away with using such an urban legend as the basis for a hit song.
I've heard the EXACT same story told locally for years. Even had a guy swear it was his buddy that bought the Corvette. Only difference I heard is that the old lady advertised a "Chevy coupe" for $1000 and it turned out to be a split window. but all else is the same. Son went to "Nam" never came back, car sitting since then....
Definitely a lump-in-the-throat song,with a tear in the eye, but it still made me laugh.