This sucks

**nudemetalz** · 10th July 2012, 15:24

Beautiful Lotus Cortina now has been stolen

Apparently there is only 25 in NZ.

"...A Kerikeri man is offering a substantial reward for the return of an irreplaceable 1960s car that he took 10 years to restore.
His Lotus Cortina Mark One is one of only 25 in New Zealand, and experts say, in any case, it's too rare to sell on.
Phil Sharp has two passions: golf and cars.
“I had a round of golf, came back about 4:30, and no car,” he says.
While he was perfecting his drive in Kerikeri two weeks ago, someone took off with the drive that was his pride and joy.
The former chief mechanic at Formula One Team Mclaren spent 10 years lovingly restoring his Lotus Edition Ford Cortina Mark One, then shipped it here.
“It would never be sold,” he says. “It's going to be, well, was going to be, passed on to my son, so there was a huge amount of effort and time gone into it and it means a huge amount to me.....”

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Substantial-r...#ixzz20BeMTzDB

http://www.3news.co.nz/Substantial-reward-for-stolen-Cortina/tabid/423/articleID/260702/Default.aspx

**george formby** · 10th July 2012, 15:35

Originally Posted by nudemetalz

Beautiful Lotus Cortina now has been stolen

Apparently there is only 25 in NZ.

"...A Kerikeri man is offering a substantial reward for the return of an irreplaceable 1960s car that he took 10 years to restore.
His Lotus Cortina Mark One is one of only 25 in New Zealand, and experts say, in any case, it's too rare to sell on.
Phil Sharp has two passions: golf and cars.
“I had a round of golf, came back about 4:30, and no car,” he says.
While he was perfecting his drive in Kerikeri two weeks ago, someone took off with the drive that was his pride and joy.
The former chief mechanic at Formula One Team Mclaren spent 10 years lovingly restoring his Lotus Edition Ford Cortina Mark One, then shipped it here.
“It would never be sold,” he says. “It's going to be, well, was going to be, passed on to my son, so there was a huge amount of effort and time gone into it and it means a huge amount to me.....”

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Substantial-r...#ixzz20BeMTzDB

http://www.3news.co.nz/Substantial-reward-for-stolen-Cortina/tabid/423/articleID/260702/Default.aspx

I agree, stunning car. Read about it in the Bay Chronicle, it looked gorgeous in the photo. No idea what the teefs can do with it. Trade me would be a dead giveaway.

**Maha** · 10th July 2012, 15:37

Late 70's I owned a MKI and was in Queen Street with one friday night (drove from Rotorua to get a burger) and there was a line up of MKI's, one of the was a candy apple red two door...very very nice.

**george formby** · 10th July 2012, 15:45

A wee tribute, not the video I was looking for but......

**Paul in NZ** · 10th July 2012, 15:49

Sad thing is its either gone overseas to a collector or its in bits being ground into an old skool boyracer car by a thieving bogan....

I've no special love for Mk1 Lotus Cortinas but I feel his loss - it would be nearly impossible to replace

**george formby** · 10th July 2012, 15:58

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Sad thing is its either gone overseas to a collector or its in bits being ground into an old skool boyracer car by a thieving bogan....

I've no special love for Mk1 Lotus Cortinas but I feel his loss - it would be nearly impossible to replace

Nicked to order? Their are a couple of MKI Cortinas & a Ford Anglia round here driven by yoofs. Yoofs with a bit of taste & imagination IMHO.

**jasonu** · 10th July 2012, 16:01

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Sad thing is its either gone overseas to a collector or its in bits being ground into an old skool boyracer car by a thieving bogan....

Or some dumb coon nicked it, caned it, and left it in a ditch when it ran out of gas.

Hope the guy gets it back in one piece.

**Brett** · 10th July 2012, 16:05

Originally Posted by george formby

I agree, stunning car. Read about it in the Bay Chronicle, it looked gorgeous in the photo. No idea what the teefs can do with it. Trade me would be a dead giveaway.

Most likely they will race it around till it shits itself, then they will ditch it in some remote road and set fire to it. Seems to be the most common treatment for stolen cars it seems. (unless stolen to order or for parts...) Sucks big time...

**george formby** · 10th July 2012, 16:09

Originally Posted by Brett

Most likely they will race it around till it shits itself, then they will ditch it in some remote road and set fire to it. Seems to be the most common treatment for stolen cars it seems. (unless stolen to order or for parts...) Sucks big time...

Did not watch or read the info from OP's link but a Black 4x4 was seen at the golf course & apparently the car was spotted in Kaikohe in the company of a Black 4x4. Might be a bit conspicuous for a hoon, could be very dumb hoons, though. Or gangstas, lots of them in the Ko.

**XxKiTtiExX** · 10th July 2012, 16:21

Originally Posted by george formby

Did not watch or read the info from OP's link but a Black 4x4 was seen at the golf course & apparently the car was spotted in Kaikohe in the company of a Black 4x4. Might be a bit conspicuous for a hoon, could be very dumb hoons, though. Or gangstas, lots of them in the Ko.

Heard the same thing. Vehicle was seen on Wiroa Road then Kaikohe along with another vehicle following behind. Sadly I don't see him getting his car back, but will still remain hopeful.

**gammaguy** · 10th July 2012, 17:08

reminds me of a while back a genuine Honda RC45 was stolen from a shop

Turned up a few years later sprayed matt black and had been ridden around by the perp for some time before it stopped going or whatever,then it was just left in a shed.

The dickhead had absolutely no idea what he was riding,so maybe if there is any luck around the Cortina will end up the same way.

Heres hoping.....