ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- It was likely not what police expected to find when they pulled over a Newfoundland driver for a routine traffic violation: a car held together by rope.

Officers say they stopped the car in St. John's at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday after noticing it was unregistered.

But Const. Geoff Higdon of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said that when a tow truck arrived and was lifting the car up on the rack, an officer spotted a strand rope on its underbelly.

He said that when they took a closer look, officers discovered a rear control arm -- which links the chassis to the hub that carries the wheel -- was tied to the frame with a piece of rope.

Officers say the 40-year-old man driving the car was ticketed for operating an unregistered vehicle.

The car was also seized after police deemed it a "road safety concern" for the public.