George L. Delong and Rebecca S. Delong v‪.‬

Plaintiffs, George L. DeLong and Rebecca S. DeLong, sued defendants, Hilltop Lincoln Mercury, Inc., Richard Powell, d/b/a
Powell's Motors, and Sal Benigno, d/b/a Roman Motors, for fraud and federal odometer violations arising from their purchase
of a 1980 Lincoln from Hilltop. The jury returned its verdict for $3,000 actual damages and $75,000 punitive damages in favor
of the DeLongs on their fraud claim against defendant, Hilltop Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. The jury returned its verdict for $3,000
actual damages (in favor of the DeLongs) on their fraudulent misrepresentation claim against defendant, Powell, and $5,000
in damages for their claim of violation of federal odometer law against Powell. The jury found for defendant, Benigno on both
counts. The jury found for Hilltop on the DeLongs' claim under the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, 15 U.S.C.
Section 1981 et seq. (1982). Powell is not a party in this appeal. The facts adduced at trial, viewed in a light most favorable to the verdict, are as follows. In the early summer of 1983,
the DeLongs were looking to buy a low mileage used Lincoln Town Car, as a car for Mrs. DeLong. They had no success in their
native Jefferson City, so they travelled to St. Louis on July 8, 1983. They stopped at a dealership in St. Peters, and initially
found a car they felt was adequate. They did not buy that car, however, solely because they were told the car had been obtained
from another dealer. Both Mr. and Mrs. DeLong testified repeatedly and emphatically that they specifically wanted an individually
traded in, locally owned car.