Mike's pride and joy stolen
It might look like any old J reg Vauxhall Nova, but car buff Mike Levy poured his heart and soul – and £9,000 – into making it the car of his dreams.
Now the 21–year–old has been left devastated after it was stolen from outside his girlfriend's Black Country home.
Mr Levy brought the shell of the car for just £50 from a friend around a year ago.
He painstakingly souped it up with extras including flash seats costing £360 each and carbon fibre panels worth £200 a piece.
It was taken from outside his girlfriend's house in Ellards Drive, Wednesfield, between 1.35am and 7.15am on Monday. The lock of the car was found lying in the road.
It is not the first time Mr Levy's work has been stolen. In March 2004, be brought a Nova for £1,500 which was stolen three months later and recovered the same day – minus its £800 alloy wheels.
Mr Levy, a painter and decorator from Wednesfield, said: "The first time it happened I was completely gutted. But this time, I don't even want to go out and buy any form of modified car because it's more than likely going to happen again.
"I'll probably end up buying some £200 runaround. You can't have anything in the Midlands area, bolted down or not, because it will get stolen.
"Some people are into property development or going out on the weekend and playing golf. I would rather be doing something creative. I spent 2,500 hours working on the two cars and then someone who just sees it as easy money comes and takes it."
Witnesses should call 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
These are just some of the parts with which Mike Levy upgraded his car:
* Rally car-style "bucket" seats and mounting frames
* Specialist harness/seatbelts
* Three spoke suede steering wheel
* Leather gear knob
* Carbon fibre interior door trim tops (which he made himself)
* Carbon fibre steering column surround
* Suspension kit, shocks and springs alloy wheels
* Specialist exhaust system and air filter kit
* Stainless steel fuel lines and fuel filter setup
