Corvette owner taken for a ride

Don Van Vuuren's stolen Corvette came back intact - mostly. Photo / Supplied

A Trade Me listing ended with Don Van Vuuren having his 1981 Chevrolet Corvette stolen before his eyes.

"I had an inquiry. We arranged to meet on a Saturday morning. We spent about 20 minutes discussing its characteristics."

The pair went for a test drive and Van Vuuren pulled over about 2km from his Christchurch home for the pair to swap seats.

"He got in before me. There was no rush but just before I got in he planted foot and disappeared. I was stuck in the middle of the road looking a bit dumbfounded."

Fortunately for Van Vuuren, the Corvette was recovered mostly intact and the thief caught by police.

Van Vuuren advised people selling their cars on the internet to contact potential buyers by phone and to ask for ID.