Police were called to Brookhouse Avenue in Eccles last night at 11.50pm after reports that a red Peugeot 106 was overturned and blocking the main road.
But initial reports of a traffic accident were wide of the mark.
On arrival police found that the vehicle had a clamp on its front wheel, which means it would have been impossible to drive.
Officers are investigating a theory that local youths had overturned the car for fun or malice.
It’s understood the car had been parked in the same place for some time.
The vehicle had no registered keeper and local residents did not report seeing anything relating to the incident.
Police enquiries are continuing.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 101.
