Man charged over Vic race car theft

Police have caught up with a Melbourne man who allegedly stole a rare race car in December.

A 33-year-old Boronia man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with the theft of the 1970 Rennmax race car, worth $320,000.

The yellow race car, with the Repco Brabham engine used by Sir Jack Brabham to win the world championship, was allegedly stolen from a factory in Rowville between December 21 and December 22.

The car was returned to its owner after a passer-by spotted it on the side of a road in Belgrave South on January 8, a day after a police appeal for information.

The trailer used to take the vehicle from the factory was found on Christmas Day in Cape Woolamai, on the southeastern tip of Phillip Island.

The man was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and trailer and handling stolen goods.

He was granted bail and will appear at Ringwood Magistrates Court on May 12.