NewsBite

Torana owner reunited with car 28 years after it was stolen

A 1973 pink Torana dubbed ‘Sexy Lexy’ that was stolen nearly 30 years ago has been returned to its owner in what’s been described as a ‘miracle’.

First Drive: 2021 Hyundai i30 Sedan

A stolen 1973 pink Torana dubbed ‘Sexy Lexy’ has been reunited with its owner after 28 years.

Carol’s beloved car was stolen in 1992, but she never gave up hope of finding her wheels.

Some neat detective work unravelled the mystery, when a fellow car enthusiast from Victoria’s vehicle crime squad put the brakes on a rebirthing syndicate.

Carol is reunited with her stolen wheels after 28 years. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling
Carol is reunited with her stolen wheels after 28 years. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling


The syndicate had modified some of its stolen vehicles into high performance muscle cars, selling them off as genuine.

When an unsuspecting buyer bought a number of cars from the syndicate between 2008 and 2011, one of them was Carol’s uninsured Torana.

Exhausting detective work landed a Parkville man in his 50s a two-year wholly suspended jail term last month and an order to pay $560,000 in compensation to the unwitting buyer.

The stolen 1973 Torana. Photo: Victoria Police
The stolen 1973 Torana. Photo: Victoria Police


Carol, now aged 74, turned up to the court hearing every day dressed in pink in homage to her beloved ‘Sexy Lexy’.

It was a love that never waned for the car she used to rally drive.

Investigating officer, Detective Senior Constable Florence, said reuniting her with the car was satisfying after so many years.

Carol and her beloved 'Sexy Lexy'. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling
Carol and her beloved 'Sexy Lexy'. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

“I don’t think a day has gone by that she hasn’t wished for a miracle that it would be found,” he said.

“As a car enthusiast myself, I am very happy to see the smile on Carol’s face as we watch her drive off in her beloved Torana.

“It also makes the long hours put into complex investigations like this, worth it.”

Originally published as Torana owner reunited with car 28 years after it was stolen

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/motoring/motoring-news/torana-owner-reunited-with-car-28-years-after-it-was-stolen/news-story/441e2104ac8466821ff28860e4d370c1