Oct 28, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Chris Hall

SCUGOG -- A rare classic car that was left on the side of a Scugog road after encountering engine trouble last Friday has disappeared without a trace, say Durham police.

Authorities say a Kirkfield man was driving his vehicle, a 1976 Buick Century Indy pace car, south on Simcoe Street around noon on Oct. 23 when the engine temperature began to rise and the car started acting funny.

He then pulled the car off the roadway and onto the west shoulder, about 300 metres south of Scugog Line 8, say police. After diagnosing the problem as a radiator hose leak, the man called a friend to take him to the Port Perry Canadian Tire for supplies. Before leaving, he turned on his four-way flashers and locked the doors, add police.

Upon returning about 90 minutes later, however, the man discovered his car was missing.

"Nothing seemed suspicious. It didn't look like a tow truck had been there or there was something obvious to them," said Sergeant Nancy van Rooy of Durham Regional Police.

The man later called police and a general broadcast on the vehicle was sent out, but the vehicle has yet to turn up, said Sgt. van Rooy on Tuesday morning.

The car is described as a "rare and unique" two-door, 1976 Buick Century, with 'Buick Eagle' scripted on both doors. The vehicle has a T-top roof, spoiler on the trunk and red stripes on either side.

"It's in excellent condition -- other than the radiator hose," said Sgt. van Rooy.

The car has the license plate AWSR361 and is valued at about $36,000.

"It's hard to miss this one if it's out and about because it's quite unique," said the sergeant.

Anyone with information on the missing car is asked to contact Durham police at 905-579-1520.