A man about to leave home for work has been assaulted and had his car stolen by two men at Kilburn, in Adelaide’s inner northern suburbs.

Police say the 54-year-old victim was reversing his car out of his garage on Kitchener St just after 5am when two men demanded he exit the car.

They say the victim got out and confronted the suspects, but was assaulted and the suspects drove away in his 1997 Ford Falcon.

About 20 minutes later fire crews were called to Galway St - just one street away – where the stolen Falcon had been set alight.

The victim sustained serious facial injuries in the assault and was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for treatment.

Police say the suspects are described as aged in their 20s and wearing dark clothing.