booner999

Seems to be loads more info on scoobynet...

http://m.scoobynet.com/showthread.php?t=948835

Car was apparently stolen around 3am, 2 large pikey camps close by.
Another Cosworth owner was followed by apparently the same van some time before, they stopped the car and got out to ask the driver of the van why they was following them. Driver reported he was lost.

Was also spotted on the back of a breakdown truck yesterday around 1pm. Whoever seen it managed to loose it???

vroooom ptssssh

I'd make some copies of the picture of the van and put them in every fuel station within X radius of the area, leave a number and someone might come across it, even if you know what area its in, it's a step closer!

Java=Blue

I think thats a good idea you know. or find someone to go about and to stick em on shop windows and flyers

word will spread faster too

vroooom ptssssh

Especially where a cash reward is involved, money talks!

Java=Blue

thats what i said to someone earlier! lol

...especially if some little crackhead sees it and can get 50p for a phone booth,or some chav, ( those who live in the areas will know them ones ) to ring the number on the flyer if they see the car

Phil2002

iTrader: (3)

A few people on here have mentioned about the van having colour coded roof bars. If the van is a sportive (which i think it is) it will come with brushed alloy looking roof bars which could possibly look white in the picture.

http://photo.trusteddealers.co.uk/us.../1/BJ12CEY.jpg

ajamesc

Just see this on Facebook again on my uncle kevs page seems a few people think they have been followed by said van! It really dose make you worry there are some low cunts out there!

eoindonnellan

to the owner of the escort.....

get in your car and go to some of the mentioned breakers etc, have a look around,
ask for something off your car.

the thief had big balls nicking it, you need them too.

oh ye, bring a baseball bat too!!!!

Psycho Warren

iTrader: (5)

and a ball and glove so you dont get done for possessing an offensive weapon......

Dennis_Wiseman

iTrader: (1)

If i had to guess this will be over in Ireland now. There's a mention of a pikey site near by. A lot of stolen cars get pushed out through and to Ireland and they love their Fords over there. Maybe too distinctive being stolen by a dodgy local garage.

That Astra van is defo a pikey kind of chariot.

Just hope who ever has stolen it isnt aware their van has key stand out features as if they get wind of it the key features will soon disappear and then the slim chance of finding the Escort or the scum will be gone..

Retro Al

iTrader: (1)

The paint on the van does not look standard factory paint to me.

Bailes1992

It's a white Astra van Sportline with the XP kit. Nothing aftermarket about tha unfortunatley

STeve

iTrader: (11)

Sadly this is true as I was driving in Pinner earlier this morning which is just a couple of miles from the theft scene so I followed it thinking I was onto a winner, anyway after 10 mins it pulls up outside a parade of shops, so I pull up and out comes a old dear who is delivering flowers , the van was the spitting image too

doga-ot

iTrader: (1)

If i were you i'd go to lock up check all exit roads for cctv for reg however if pileys got it it will not be seen again even if van is spotted or proven too be pikeys police will not get involved they wont want grief...... Wankers

MikeyRobbo

new pic

Java=Blue

Think that was the pic of the van as it was going to 'get' the mk1 ..... the other pic showed it towing the scort :\

booner999

why has the one with the car being towed away been taken down

Java=Blue

true... dunno actually.. oh well, ill put it back up...

booner999

That almosts looks like the tow rope is going into the back of the van

Java=Blue

Wouldnt be surprised if it was.... doesnt look like its got a towbar from the 2 pictures...

Also looks like its got some shitty halfords m3 mirrors or some kind of aftermarket crap mirrors too......

Dennis_Wiseman

iTrader: (1)

Well spotted mate. Its probably so if they get chased they can let it go quickly and burn off in the van.

They must have a tow bar or something pretty hefty screwed to the van floor.

booner999

Also guys, have a look on the Vauxhall forums for one of them with a big engine in, I know if I was doing this kind of thing I would be in something alot quicker than that van

dissmalrs

Just saw this after looking on google http://www.astraownersclub.com/vb/sh...=335839&page=4

Could b the one

foci

It's a mk 7 by the look of things, that one that you posted is an earlier one

dissmalrs

Yeh and it's a bit far away to be fair

doga-ot

iTrader: (1)

it prob had a c20let or xe engine thats basically the main conversions they do in the vauxhalls

Akauto

Could u message me any more details about alan please

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Did this escort ever get found?

paceo

iTrader: (5)

This guy steals and buys bits in bulk then sells on he doesnt even live.in harrow his mate does he lives in mitcham croydon names alan heard and also uses name alan knight he's originally from scotland he can switch from scotish accent to london so you wouldnt even realise it was same person. He is a big lump usually sporting long blonde hair tied up and a goaty. Sounds fishy that car got stolen from around said area linked close to harrow then moves towards south(mitcham way)

in regards to this reply by someone earlier, can the owner of this car pm me please, i live nearish to mitcham and know of a seller on ebay near mitcham who sells lots of ford parts, seems to be selling other car parts as well but it may help. it may be the wrong person but every little bit of info helps i suppose!

Ace-cortina

What was the update of this?

I am in harrow so if anyone wants/needs a hand with anything let me know

Stolton

Did this get found atall? Hopefully it did tho..

neilnewboy

iTrader: (1)

No news on this unfortunately, glad people are still remembering about it thou!!

scoooby slayer

iTrader: (4)

sorry to say it would of been long gone within hours probably, i had a mk4 escort stolen about 10 years ago, went into a house for 2 hours came out and car gone, searched everywhere on a rampage literally 5 hours later the stripped shell was found burning out on a country road.
i had a work van stolen about 12 weeks ago, non runner drove in my yard at 3am hooked up to an old isuzu pick up, loaded some old alloys i had outside in the back and towed it away ! we have cctv but neither us nor the police could make out number plate, definately pikeys though, ive now spent Ł5000 on a security gate its not such an easy picking for the bastards now, theyve gotta ram raid my gate or travel 1/4 of a mile across a field now to get in.

neilnewboy

iTrader: (1)

** STATEMENT FROM THE OWNERS OF THE MK1 ESCORT STOLEN TWO YEARS AGO FROM AK AUTOMOTIVE**

The car has been found. We received a tip some hours ago that a mk1 escort matching the description of ours was spotted at a location in the South East that we will not disclose. Andrew went to ID the car and it still had his owner's club affiliation jumper laying on the floor of it. We will not name anyone involved however they have been given seven days to provide proof of purchase to the police and failing this they will be arrested. If it is produced the investigation will continue in to who stole or assisted in the theft of the vehicle and sold it on.

On to the bad news. The following has been removed and is still missing- Stage 3 Cosworth Engine and all peripherals and transmission. The front has only the inner wings remaining. The wheels, seats and roll cage are also all gone. We don't yet know the full extent of loss or damage but it's safe to say that it has devalued this custom built Classic Mexico which was valued at around Ł15k when stolen.

We will be taking all the legal action available to us and will be attempting to reclaim costs however it is unlikely we will succeed in getting back the full value from the criminals. Sadly we cannot really afford to rebuild the car to it's former glory and we have not planned what will happen to it going forward however please do not make purchase offers or suggestions.

It is being recovered today to be stored in a safe location at clear the opposite end of the country where it will be under surveillance until such a time where it can be made rolling again.

Despite some relief it is an extremely emotional time for us and the financial and emotional damage that this theft has caused us is immeasurable. It has caused countless sleepless nights, tears and worry not to mention the closure of AK Automotive as a full time sited business. The car was the reason myself and Andrew met, our pride and joy and a big part of our relationship as we are both avid car lovers.

We would like to thank all of the people who shared concern and tried to find the car when it first went missing whether that was through media campaigning or coming out in dozens of vehicles trawling the dark streets at night looking for it for weeks. We cannot begin to repay your kindness and we're sorry that it has come back in such a state that we may not be able to afford the repairs It is likely to be a long time before it is driveable or appreciable again to the public which is a shame as it was very well known and loved in it's Classic Ford circle and did a lot of shows over the years.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

Glad you've got it back but fuck me that a harsh reality when you know the crooks ate going to get away with it

Cos500

Nice to see it recovered and back with the rightful owners, a real shame it's in a bad way but you found it, that's an achievement in itself, anything can be rebuilt and will take time but will be well worth it.
After 2 years I'm surprised you found anything but happy you have and I hope whoever stole it is brought to justice of some kind.

davie 3 door

iTrader: (5)

Unbelievable that this has turned up, hope it all gets sorted out.

STeve

iTrader: (11)

I hope those responsable for this get what they deserve

gjh

Glad its back with the owner, a great shame so much of it is missing though. Hope the thieving bastards get what they deserve!

Cossie Sean

shit!
50/50 if id want it found to be honest like that,

Sean