Prang in the side for Hugh Grant

It took more than two years to build by hand, can travel up to 190 mph and boasts a silver plaque inscribed with his name inside the driver's door.

But Hugh Grant was today separated from his £160,000 Aston Martin days after collecting it - when a stranger reversed into it, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The actor received the V12 Vanquish only a few weeks ago and was keen to show off his new toy.

He took his ex-girlfriend Liz Hurley and her baby Damian for a spin in the silver car.But now the prang has left an ugly dent in the side and is costing £8,000 to repair. The dent mysteriously appeared while Grant was playing golf in Chiswick, west London, according to friends.

One told the Sun: "The car is his pride and joy. He had been terrified about something happening to it but he didn't expect an accident after just a few days.

"Hugh had stopped off to hit balls with some friends. When he finished he found a massive dent in the car.

"He was absolutely livid. It wasn't as if he was even driving it at the time. He has no idea who reversed into it. He just can't believe that after waiting all that time the car is damaged already."

The car first caught Grant's imagination when he was filming About A Boy and he was egged on by his young co-star Nicholas Hoult.

Grant said: "Nicholas hounded me to buy the car so I've placed my order and now I've finally got it."

The six litre car has a top speed of 190 mph, can travel from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and even has a silver plaque inside the driver's door inscribed with the words: "V12 Vanquish. Hand-built in England for Hugh Grant."

A Vanquish will be driven by Pierce Brosnan in the forthcoming James Bond movie, Die Another Day.