The rare 1966 Ford Cortina stolen from the Bay of Islands Golf Club car park last month has been recovered and is on its way back to Kerikeri from Whangarei.

Owner Phil Sharp says he can’t describe how he feels.

‘‘It is such a relief. It’s been a hard three weeks and everyone has done a fantastic job. It was such a stupid car to steal because it is so rare. It’s not as if you can buy another one.’’

It’s thought the car, that Phil lovingly restore over a ten year period, is in good condition.

The vehicle was taken from the Bay of Islands Golf Club car park in Kerikeri on June 27, during the afternoon.

Phil bought the Ford Lotus Cortina MK1 model in the United Kingdom in 1990 and brought it to New Zealand in 2003.

The car, worth about $70,000, is one of only 25 or so in the country.

There were only about 3000 Mk 1 Lotus Cortinas made between 1964 and 1966.