When she challenged them she was beaten, punched and kicked until she lost consciousness.
Her daughter, in her 20s, tried desperately to intervene but was also assaulted.
The men stole the 55-year-old's keys and took off in her blue Volkswagen Polo hatchback, around 7pm. It was found in the neighbouring suburb of Mt Albert the next morning.
Police said the two men they were looking for were described as being in their 20s. They were said to be of Maori or Polynesian descent.
One had very short black hair, possibly shaved and was wearing a long-sleeved white T-shirt and dark pants with black Nike shoes. The second was wearing a blue windbreaker-style jacket with a hood and black pants.
Cathy Casey, councillor for Albert-Eden-Roskill ward, which includes Pt Chevalier, said the attack was "a despicable crime".
"Bad enough trying to steal a car without ... then making it an attack on someone," Casey said.
"If I saw someone trying to steal a car I would intervene. I would not expect then to be the victim of another crime.
"That's why it's despicable."
Pt Chevalier was "a family-orientated area" and she hoped "the perpetrators are found fairly urgently". She was confident police would catch them.
Armstrong said police were "appalled" by the actions of the offenders and urged anyone who may know who they are to contact Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Armstrong on the Auckland City Police Crime Squad number (09) 302 6832.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
