A collector has been left devastated after his one of a kind American car was stolen.

Richard Harvey’s 1970 Dodge Coronet, which is worth £15,000, was taken from a car port on the Old Ferry Road, Iwade, overnight.

It is one of five American vehicles collected by the 62-year-old over the past 45 years.

He bought the Dodge six years ago, and says his heart sank when he heard the news.

He said: "It's a big loss to my family as I was hoping to use it for my daughter’s wedding this year but that can’t happen now.

"There’s no other like it in the UK and it means more to me than any new car or amount of money ever will."

The engineer, of Queenborough Road, Halfway, fears his precious motor may be sold for parts or used in races.

He added: "I reckon they’ll banger race it, which will destroy it, because they can’t put it on the road without being spotted.

"It may be sold for parts but it’d be hard as the car is almost one of a kind."

"It means more to me than any new car or amount of money ever will" - Richard Harvey

Thieves used a bolt cutter to break into the yard, before taking the American “muscle” car, which was covered by a plastic sheet.

They ignored two hot rods parked nearby.

"This was definitely planned and knew what they were looking for because the car would have to be lifted on to a pickup truck for it to have been moved.

"I still have the keys, it’s just shocking how this has happened," the dad-of-three said.

However, Mr Harvey remains optimistic the car will be returned.

"Unless it is kept under lock and key, the car is so rare that it will be recognised," he said.

"Of course the Dodge can’t be sold by anybody else now. If they dare come back for the rest, I’ll catch them."

Already there have been unconfirmed reports of the car being driven by two men towards Maidstone.

Police confirmed they were aware of the theft and are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.