Vintage mini that was owned by a March family for nearly two decades has been found burnt out

Mini stolen from thhe driveway of a March home (Image: Archant)

Facebook users tried to make a vintage car too hot to handle by sharing its picture across the UK after it was stolen from the driveway of a March couple.

The 1993 blue mini had been in the family of Amy James for years and was handed down to her husband by her Dad.

The car was found within 12 hours burnt out in land off Wimblington Road.

Amy said: “Dad drove it for years but when he was welding it one day it caught fire. He didn’t have the heart, time or effort to keep it so he gave it to my husband as a project about six years ago.

“Dean has worked on it on and off for about five years. It has been a labour of love. Not only are we upset but my Dad is too. It’s a part of the family. “It’s in lovely condition.“

The car had only been made drive-worthy at the weekend when a new fuel pump was fitted after it had broken down.

It was taken by thieves some time last night (Tuesday 24).

Dean James woke up at about 5am today (Wednesday 25) to discover the mint condition blue mini, with black roll-back sunroof, had been taken from their driveway.

Mrs James said: “Dean said, the car’s gone. I thought he was joking as a way to make me get up early with him. I couldn’t believe it when I realised it really had gone.

“We haven’t told our two year old son Reuben yet. He called it his car.”

A Facebook share campaign tried to make sure the car became too well known on social media for thieves to get away with keeping it.

Sadly, however, the car was found dumped and burnt in the afternoon.

The mini, registration is K210 EEG, was taken some time between about 10.30pm on Tuesday 24 and 5pm on Wednesday 25.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said that anyone with information regarding the theft or burn-out is asked to call police on 101.