Whenever any vehicle impounded by a police officer remains in the possession of the city, unclaimed by any person having the right to the possession of the vehicle, for a period of 60 days, the vehicle shall be sold under the direction of the chief of police at a public auction to the highest bidder, after notice of the auction has been given for not less than one week by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the city.
('73 Code, § 74.13)