Gisborne family’s beloved classic 1965 convertible Thunderbird stolen from garage

Photos of the 1965 Thunderbird stolen from a garage at a Palmerston Rd property earlier this week.

A Gisborne family’s beloved classic white 1965 Ford Thunderbird convertible has been stolen from a locked garage.

Police are appealing for any information about the car taken on Monday about 7.30am from the locked garage of a house on Palmerston Rd.

Gisborne man Mark Tilley told The Gisborne Herald the car belonged to his father Ralph Tilley, who died in 1998, and mother Margaret.

Many Gisborne residents would know the Tilleys, who for many years owned Ideal Dairy on Wainui Rd where Four Square Wainui Road now stands.

Tilley said the vehicle, which has the number plate BIRD65, had been a much-loved family car since his dad got it in 1970s.

The car, along with another American car, had been parked up in a locked garage on a vacant rental property which is up for sale. The gates to the property had been padlocked.

It was discovered stolen on Thursday and police were notified.

Tilley said neighbours reported hearing noises and the car was seen being hooked up to what was described as an old-style green Land Cruiser.

There were possible sightings of it at other addresses in Gisborne.

Police told the Gisborne Herald inquiries were continuing.

“We’d like to thank those members of the community who have already been in touch with us regarding possible sightings,” a spokeswoman said.

“We ask that anyone else who has information which might help us locate the car and return it to its rightful owner to contact us via 105, quoting file number 260507/7177.

“Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800555111.”