The owner of a Reliant Robin returned from a two-week break in South Africa to find his car had been moved onto double yellow lines that were painted while he was away and four parking tickets slapped on the windscreen.
Martin Dodridge claims he left his three wheeler parked safely in the road near his home before jetting off.
While on his holiday, friends contacted him to say his car had been moved, apparently by workers for Cornwall Council contractor Cormac.
Martin said roads workers were painting new double yellow lines and his car, which had all of his contact details on the side, was in their way.
He says a sign requesting vehicles to be moved was only installed two days before the work began, by which time he had left the country.
A full investigation has now been launched by the council.
Mr Dodridge said: “I’m blown away.
“When you tell people, they can’t believe it – they’re shocked.
“I left my car perfectly safe and got back on Wednesday and it’s moved with tickets on it.
“I’m totally shocked but there’s a kind of funny side to it.
“The police didn’t want to know because there was no damage so they said it was a civil matter.
“I called and reported it to the council and was told that someone would ring me back, the head of the department, regarding moving the vehicle.
“They also gave me a reference number and told me to go on their website to the complaints section.
“I’ve done that but I haven’t heard back from anyone and it was two days ago.”