A distraught daughter has appealed for help to track down her late father’s classic car which was stolen from outside her home.

The diamond white two-litre five-door 1989 Ford Granada Mk 3 Ghia X was taken around 11pm on Wednesday, April 19. It is believed police cameras caught it being driven off Sheppey at 11.40pm that night. It has not been seen since.

Tracey Weedon, a 53-year-old mother-of-four and grandmother-of-five from Queenborough Drive, Minster, said: “It might just appear to be a 28-year-old lump of metal to some but it is much more than that to me and the family. It has so many memories.

“When my father Geoff passed away four years ago I promised him I would look after it. It was in pristine condition and without a mark on it. It had been Dad’s delight.

“I still had his sunglasses and tape cassettes inside. Its engine compartment was all polished. It was such a familiar sight on Sheppey and Sittingbourne.

“Dad bought it in 1991 when it was two years old. It was his pride and joy. He was a driver for Chalkwell Coach Hire in Sittingbourne and used it to get to work every day. It was so unusual you could see him coming a mile off.”

But she added: “My big fear is that I will never see the car again. We have searched high and low across the Island and around Sittingbourne. I am pretty sure it was taken to order. Cars of this age and condition are so rare they are highly sought after – although the insurance company has only valued it at £1,000.

“But it seems to have disappeared without a trace. It is either well hidden or is already out of the country.”

Details of the hatchback, registration number G45 AAR, have been circulated on social media and the ports notified.

Neil Armstrong of the website Stolen Old Skool Fords has appealed for help in tracing it. He said: “The car has been in the family for 25 years and holds great sentimental value to the owner as it belonged to her Dad. She is distraught.”

Any witnesses, or anyone offered the car to buy, should call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting XY/17591/17.

Alternatively, call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.