WHEELY SAD
Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer gives devastating update on stolen Ford Fiesta that ‘vanished from face of the Earth’
Mike's even been contacted by fans claiming they've spotted the stolen motor
WHEELERS Dealers host Mike Brewer has revealed the Ford Fiesta that was stolen from him nearly a year ago has been spotted by fans - but he has little hope it will ever be returned.
The much-loved TV star has claimed viewers of the show had even been in touch with him to say they had seen the little Ford and the trailer it was being carried in.
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However, in an interview with , Mike has said nothing has ever come out of the reports and the classic motor is still missing.
The incredibly-rare Fiesta Mk1 was taken by thieves outside a hotel in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, back in June 2023 - just hours before Mike and co-host Marc Priestley were set to show off their restoration job for an episode of the show.
Mike had picked up the model for just £4,000 and the duo had only just finished restoring it - paying around £11,000 for repairs.
That included completely refitting the car’s engine with new water and oil pumps installed, as well as tweaks to its bodywork.
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After it was stolen, Mike even offered a £5,000 reward to anyone who could tell him where the Fiesta was.
But, nearly a year on, the petrolhead has admitted "it's completely gone from the face of the Earth."
He said: “People have said they have seen it and reported the trailer but unfortunately it's never been followed up and we don’t want to chase villains down the road.
“It's gone, unfortunately.
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“It is no more and it is such a shame as there were only four registered in the UK, it's such a shame that the car is no more.”
The stolen set of wheels was originally set to feature in an segment celebrating the Fiesta model - which was discontinued by Ford last year after 47 years on British roads.
Ford Fiesta production reaches end of the road
The hatchback, which rolled off the production line for the final time in July 2023, was the UK’s best-selling car, while more than 22 million had been produced globally.
Mike, 59, has previously revealed that crooks took just 25 minutes to drive away with the car despite it being chained up inside a lorry and equipped with a wheel lock.
He explained: "They parked a big lorry in front of the security cameras of the hotel and they spent the next 25 minutes behind the lorry with cutters, angle grinders and all kinds of things to steal it."
He's since revealed he's "quite happy" the supermini was stolen from him and Marc, revealing it could be seen as a blessing in disguise.
He said: "It’s stolen and we aren't going to see it, but I’m quite happy for it to be stolen.
"If anything it aided the end of the programme and it keeps the story alive."
The latest series of Wheeler Dealers is currently being aired on Discovery, and Mike recently teased the restoration of the "ultimate muscle car" for their latest episode.
As well as Down Under, the duo's six-month adventure saw them visit countries in Europe and North America.
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In an episode in Germany, Mike picked up the most expensive car ever bought in Wheeler Dealers’ history.
And in Italy, the pair made a brilliant profit on a stunning retro Ferrari they originally bought for £65k.
What happened to Mike Brewer's Ford Fiesta?
Mike Brewer revealed that his Ford Fiesta Mk1 was stolen in June 2023.
- The Wheeler Dealers Ford Fiesta was being stored in a trailer used to transport the classic car.
- It was parked in the same car park of the hotel where the TV star was staying the night.
- Hours of work had been spent by engineers to fully restore the iconic Mk1.
- The project was to commemorate the end of the Ford hatchback era and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Wheeler Dealers show.
- The motor was stolen just hours before it was meant to be shown off at a special car show.
- Both presenters from the show quickly appealed to members of the public and the classic car community to share any information on the whereabouts of the stolen motor.
- In an interview with the Express, the Wheeler Dealers host offered £5,000 to anyone who could tell him where the Ford Fiesta Mk1 was.
- Mike previously described the theft as "like losing a child".
- There have been no further leads since the TV stars' appeal.
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