POLICE have asked the people of Renfrewshire to help them catch the thief who stole a £100,000 vintage sports car.

The classic red E Type Jaguar, which is almost 50 years old, was taken from a lock up in Houston Road in Langbank while it’s elderly owner was on holiday.

Police say the car, which had a convertible roof, also has a distinctive American style left hand drive.

The 80-year-old owner, who is a local landlord who rents flats in the area, discovered the theft last week when he returned from a month long break.
He had asked a local garage to pick up the car and take it away for a service while he was away on holiday.

But when he phoned their repair shop on his return they told them they hadn’t yet had a chance yet to collect the vehicle.

The shocked owner then realised it had been stolen and alerted the police.

They say the car was stolen some time between July 16 and August 18.

However one local has come forward to say he saw the car being driven around July 18, two days after the owner went on holiday.

Inspector Allan O’ Hare, of the Johnstone, Renfrew and the villages community policing team, added:”We would appeal to anyone with information on this car or who has seen it in the last month being driven in Renfrewshire to come forward.

“It is a fairly distinctive car with a considerable value which would have stood out, particularly if it was being driven with the roof down.”

Police say there was no sign of the lock up being broken into which made the owner think at first his Jaguar had been collected by the garage.

The Jaguar also has it’s original registration plate from the 1970’s which is KGD 122L

Police believe the robber may live locally and targeted the luxury sports car which could have been stolen to order or simply for the
parts.

They revealed that the Jaguar has a minimum value of £70,000 but similar cars are being sold for up to £100,000 to collectors and enthusiasts.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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