
By Callan Date
A CLASSIC car due to be passed down to a third generation family member has been stolen from a Doveton driveway.
Thieves took the immaculate 1970 Ford Capri from John Smith’s property during a stormy August night.
The 71-year-old is still struggling to come to terms with the theft of the prized family heirloom and is calling for public help as a last resort in helping to get the vehicle back.
The setback is the latest blow to Mr Smith and his wife Carmel, who are both undergoing treatment for cancer.
“We are not having a good run at the moment,” he said.
“My mother bought the car brand new and it has been in the family for nearly 38 years,” Mr Smith said.
“It only had 40,000 miles (64,373km) and it was in immaculate condition. I had just had it detailed and it was like it was brand new.”
Aggravating Mr Smith even more is the effort thieves seemingly went to in an effort to steal the car.
“The gall of these buggers is unbelievable,” he said.
“It looks as if they have winched the car down the driveway to the street and either towed it away or put it on the back of a tow truck,” he said.
Mr Smith said the silver Capri, which was going to be handed down to their 19-year-old grandson Tim, was parked at the very end of his Bamboo Court driveway.
A random off-the-street inquiry about whether the car was for sale is the only lead police have, he said.
“A bloke knocked on the door a few months before the theft and said he wanted to buy the car but I told him it wasn’t for sale,” Mr Smith said.
“Just the shock of knowing someone has stolen it really bugs me. I would love to get it back.”
Mr Smith believes the uninsured Capri may now have a modified V8 engine and be being used as a street drag car.
“I have been told that they are popular as drag cars. Someone else said that they could use the panels as moulds to make new panels,” he said.
The 1970 silver Ford Capri, registration KMO 634, had engine number JA2086B.
Anyone with any information about the car is asked to contact Narre Warren Detective Senior Constable Brian Whitehead on 9705 3114.