Vintage car owner ‘sick to stomach’ over theft
FORD MUSTANG GT WAS VALUED AT £50K
A LONDONER who has had his vintage car stolen has made a desperate plea for it to be returned.
Raymond McVeigh, 60, reported to police that his 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, which he has owned for almost 30 years and is worth between £40,000 and £50,000, was stolen on December 17 in Kensington while he was walking his dogs in the park.
Mr McVeigh, who has owned the Ford while living in both Los Angeles and London, started an appeal for its return on Facebook, which has now been shared more than 700 times.
“I am literally sick to my stomach,” Mr McVeigh said.
“I bought it off my best friend in Hollywood when I was living over there for 10 years. He‘d had it probably 20 years and he was the second owner. I was the third owner of the car from new.
“It’s literally been with me my whole life as a father. I had it eight years before I got married and had kids. All of my three kids have grown up with this car and knowing this car. It’s such a part of who I am and the family.”
Mr McVeigh said he was “staggered” that the car, which was fitted with a steel steering lock and recognisable for its blue stripes against main white colour, could be stolen so easily and without notice.
It was parked on his street opposite Kensington Palace at the time.
He said less than 12 hours after reporting the theft, police contacted him to say they had gone through the details and would not be able to find the culprits, subsequently closing the case.
Mr McVeigh, however, has not yet given up hope and has since contacted social media groups that collate information on stolen vintage Mustangs and Fords.
There has since been sightings of similar Mustangs but not a direct match to his car. He has also requested CCTV footage of the surrounding streets to be reviewed.
The Kensington musician planned to give the iconic car to one of his three daughters or his grandson.
“It was literally an extension of me, I did all the work on it, I always maintained it,” Mr McVeigh said.
“It’s synonymous with me and everyone who knows me. I’m a musician and been in load of bands, it’s something people always associate with me. I’m shocked its gone after so long.”
Although devastated at losing his car only a few days before Christmas, Mr McVeigh said he is keeping positive by remembering he and his family are still healthy amidst the current pandemic.
The Metropolitan Police said they received reports of a Ford Mustang stolen from De Vere Gardens on December 17.
A Met Police spokesperson added no arrests have been made and the car has not yet been recovered.