Car enthusiasts tell of fears after theft

Classic car enthusiasts have told of their fears after a pristine 1970s Ford Escort was stolen to order.

Owners of classic Mark I and Mark II models have promised to keep their eyes peeled for a Daytona yellow car owned by Rowley Regis man Alan Hackett.

Dave O'Neill, who is webmaster for the forum bbs.rallyesportescorts.co.uk, said the theft has made owners take extra care of their own valuable vehicles. Mr Hackett from Farm Road had had his Daytona yellow Ford Escort since it was new in 1974. The car was lovingly maintained and he believes it is now worth £15,000 compared to the £1,800 he paid for it.

The 70-year-old was 35 when he bought the car, which has a black vinyl roof that was all the rage at the time.

It was stolen from the garages off The Avenue on the Brickhouse Farm estate, close to his home in Farm Road, in the early hours of July 31. Mr O'Neill, who lives in Sandwell but wanted to keep his address private, said scores of Escort owners had read the article in the Express & Star and on the newspaper's website and had expressed their disgust at the theft.

The 43-year-old MoT tester said: "We are all totally gutted for him and it has made us all worry about our own cars. We've never met Mr Hackett but we can only imagine how he must feel. "These cars are extremely valuable and that's why they are targeted." Mr O'Neill said: "Our forum is read in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand so there are a lot of people looking out for this car."

Earlier this year police warned high performance sports cars are being stolen to order by a network of criminals who are exporting them to Africa and Eastern Europe. They say low level criminals are being targeted to steal cars, which are then spirited out of the country. Anyone with information is urged to call Old Hill police station on 0845 113 5000.