Thug destroys 10 years’ work to restore van

A CLASSIC car enthusiast has been left devastated after the 1960s Austin A35 van he spent a decade restoring was stolen and then burned out in a field.

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Nov 2011, 08:37 BST

David Webster, from Sheffield, bought the van for £100 10 years ago, from a pensioner who had left it rusting in his garden.

He then spent thousands of pounds restoring it to its former glory, before showing off the fruits of his labour at classic car shows across Yorkshire.

But Mr Webster, a window fitter, then discovered one morning that the van had been stolen. It was found burned out close to allotments in Handsworth, in a “severely damaged” state.

The 50-year-old said: “It’s like I’ve lost someone. It looked horrendous.

“All the work I’d put into it had gone in a second because of some scumbag.”

Mr Webster had rebuilt the car – which passed an MoT earlier this year – with new sills, suspension and brakes. He bought parts from specialist sales and even had to have some components especially made.

Anyone with information on the theft should call Pc Simon Kirkham at South Yorkshire Police, on 0114 2202020.