MECHANIC Mario Fardella was left 'wheely' frustrated when the wheels from his Vauxhall Cavalier were nicked in an overnight swoop in December 1979.
Mr Fardella, who lived in Accrington Road, Blackburn, was left flabbergasted when he found his car propped up on stone blocks as he left his home to go to work.
He said: "It was a complete shock, but there's not much you can do, when something like this happens.
"The car was alright when I parked it at 11.30 last night.
"This morning it was without its wheels and tyres."
The bright yellow car was parked in Didsbury Street and altogether the wheels and the tyres were worth about £150.
Mr Fardella added: "I had been intending to use the car this weekend but now I'll have to sort it out with my insurers."
Blackburn police were informed and carried out an investigation into the theft.
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