A Gore man says his family has been left only with \u201churt and sadness\u201d after their beloved \u201cmongrel\u201d Valiant cruiser was stolen early on Sunday morning \u2014 although they hope a public appeal might help bring it back home.<\/p>\n
Gore builder Matt Mowat said he was halfway to restoring the\u00a0classic\u00a0Chrysler Valiant AP5, having dusted the\u00a0car\u00a0off out of storage following his return from Australia after 20 years recently.<\/p>\n
The 40-year-old said the car held many happy memories of his younger days \u2014 including several too colourful to mention.<\/p>\n
Security footage had revealed the \u201cunique\u201d, sky blue vehicle \u2014 worth about $30,000 \u2014 had been taken by a single male of medium build from a Mersey St workshop yard at 6.06am on Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
Although he had reported the theft to police, he said he was conducting a private search himself through newspapers, social media and other online resources, as police \u201cdid not seem to be interested\u201d.<\/p>\n
“Time is of the essence here, as I suspect it\u2019s been stolen to order, with a view to cutting it up for parts, or shipping it offshore.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019ve had some leads and evidence that it likely travelled north on a trailer towed by a double-cab ute, and may have been heading towards Palmerston, then Oamaru.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0car\u00a0bore old-style, white-on-black registration plates of \u201cEN30\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said he had enjoyed introducing his partner and children to the \u201cvery Gore, very mongrel\u201d\u00a0classic\u00a0cruiser recently.<\/p>\n
“There was lots of beer, lots of good times back in the day, and a few other adventures we probably shouldn’t mention.<\/p>\n
“The kids loved it when we got it back on the road for the first time three weeks ago, so it really hurts to see them sad about this.<\/p>\n
“To be honest, I\u2019m prepared to do whatever necessary to bring it back, including pay, if that saves it being broken up.\u201d<\/p>\n
– Mr Mowat asked that anyone believing they may have seen the vehicle, or with any other information, call him directly on 027 423-1291.<\/p>\n