The 70-year-old had seen a report in Saturday's Otago Daily Times that police were searching for an American left-hand-drive car thought to be used by a wanted fugitive.
Police say Zebulin Mario Davoren (28) and his partner Sophia Leigh Wilson (24) are believed to be travelling in a white Lincoln Town Car, registration HNP702.
But Mr Ward owns a left-hand-drive car too - a white 1983 Ford Thunderbird - with ''much the same'' body shape.
''When I saw it [the Lincoln] in the paper I thought it looked like my car ...''
Mr Ward said yesterday.
''I thought someone would say that it looks like my car.''
Davoren and Wilson have been at the centre of a two-month manhunt.
Police have described Davoren as the head of a methamphetamine supply ring based in Auckland.
An investigation into the group uncovered a gold bar, more than $500,000 in cash and about 10 ''high value'' motor vehicles in 2012.
The visit from the police, while somewhat expected, had added some excitement to Mr Ward's day.
He had been travelling home from Dunedin through the Pigroot yesterday, and said someone must have told police about his vehicle.
He had not seen any police cars during his trip.
Central Otago sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said police were alerted about 10am to a car travelling in the Maniototo which matched the description of Davoren's vehicle.
Police from Alexandra and Omakau responded and located the vehicle in Naseby about 1.30pm and determined it belonged to a ''local resident''.
He praised the members of the public who contacted police, and said police welcomed contact from people who had information on Davoren's location or believed they had seen his vehicle, which was ''quite distinctive''.
People could contact their local police station or anonymously via the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555-111.
Davoren was convicted in the Auckland High Court on October 6 on 31 charges, including manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine.
Wilson had been found guilty of possessing pseudoephedrine for supplyThe couple should not be approached, Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
