The much-loved Lot 19 Arts Space car Corro Corolla was stolen from its home in Castlemaine sometime last week and has since been declared undrivable.
The 1994 corolla was gifted to Mark Anstey, owner of Lot 19 in 2014. Mark, an artist, and visionary saw potential in the little green car, and with the help of mates, many cans of paint, and hours of work giving the car the appearance of corrugated iron, Corro Corolla was born.
“Corro became a mascot for the place,” Mark told the Mail.
“I kept it registered and insured so people in the community could use it when they needed.”
Last week a young person appropriated the vehicle and proceeded to remove the sign from the roof (later found at the offender’s home). The young man then carefully taped the windows before spray painting it with care, including taking the time to stencil intricate leaf patterns. The muffler was removed and a meticulously wired light was mounted to the roof.
“He really made it his own,” Mark said.
“He had a tape of Bruce Springsteen in the tape deck, a 9 1/2 Weeks soundtrack, and various belongings.”
According to Castlemaine Police Acting Sergeant Brendan McManus the vehicle was then driven around Castlemaine and driven on the golf course, tearing up the fairways.
“Police recovered the vehicle which was taken to Tingay’s Smash Repairs. The offender then broke into Tingay’s by cutting the fence. Unable to find the car, he slept in a smashed-up van overnight, before sneaking into the workshop. He was discovered by employees the following morning wearing a balaclava and gloves,” Acting Sergeant McManus explained.
Once the vehicle was returned home, Mark soon discovered that Corro Corolla had not survived the ordeal.
“It feels like a loss, a death. It really did mean a lot to a lot of people,” Mark said.
“My girlfriend’s son has recently turned 18. I’d been teaching him to drive in that car and had told him he could have it when he got his license. He was absolutely chuffed, so that’s very disappointing.
“Fortunately we do have another old car on the horizon that we will paint and restore to give back to give back to the community.”
A member of the Lot 19 community Helen Bodycomb said she had borrowed the car on occasion.
“It was very chitty chitty bang bang and friendly to drive,” Helen said.
A funeral will be held for Corro Corolla at 11am on April 15 at Lot 19 to allow those who loved Corro Corolla to have the opportunity to speak, sing or contribute art to the event.
The offender has been charged by the police and will appear before the Castlemaine Magistrates Court later this month, but Mark is hoping some form of restorative justice could be implemented.