I'd like to do a road trip this summer in my '57, but the more I read about how many classic cars are stolen and never recovered, I'm wondering how I can travel and get back home with my ride. There seems to be a list of things you can do to deter theft from steering wheel and pedal locks, wheel clamps, GPS trackers, removing the steering wheel nightly (!), pulling the rotor and of course, the old cigarette lighter/coil ground. Do you travel in your classic and what precautions do you take?
The modern day thieves are not even needing to start your car. They will push it out of the parking lot or off the trailer and down the street into an enclosed trailer and then it will never be spotted ever again. I found some nylon cables that have a key lock and they cannot easily be cut. On my Boss 429, I use these cables through the hood(boss air cleaner alone is worth $4K) latch to prevent the hood from being opened. Also I run a chain with padlock through the wheels of the car to the chassis or another wheel to prevent moving it. If it sits on the trailer overnight, I chain the car to the trailer with one or two ways, padlock my trailer ramps, Lock the tongue to the truck. I run a heavy chain through the trailer rims to the trailer chassis. After I'm sure that the car/trailer cannot easily be moved, I take the fuel pump fuse out of the truck and take it in the hotel with me. Nowadays they just drive off in your entire rig. I also throw one of my cell phones in a hidden location inside the car just in case it does disappear and there might be a chance of tracking it. Any items in my truck bed under the bed cover are all chained together as well so my extra wheels and tires and parts are hard to take. I don't believe in cameras, as you just get to see a video of your stuff being stolen, I try to prevent the theft by making my stuff hard to take.
I'm going to try the hidden AirTag route. Most thefts are done in a "take advantage situation" make it difficult. Have a battery cutoff. Club for the steering.
Get a car cover that says PT Cruiser on very large.
Park your car in a well lit area and maybe near an area that has a camera on it.
1. If you car gets stolen best bet is to have many Instagram friends to find it.
2. Stolen cars for police is now a very low priority.
This world really sucks...
Just sayin' :dontknow:
Obviously, there's always "one more thing" someone can do to steal a car. My approach has been to make it just a little more difficult than most casual thieves would bother with. In the extreme, there's always a way. But, if the risk of getting caught in the act or the cost of the trucks, helicopters or whatever they want to use to get the car is more than the car's worth, I'd think they'd move on to something else.
We've gone with 3 approaches to security. An ignition kill, a fuel shut-off and an electronic door deadbolt.
Ignition kill is pretty straightforward. Thought we were being sneaky-smart in wiring this to a second headlight dimmer switch on the floor. Seems just about everyone had that thought before. More than one person has "guessed" what we did for the switch.
For the fuel shutoff, plumbed in a fuel valve from a dual-tank pickup truck. One side routed to the tank. The other not routed to anything. After the fuel in the carb is gone, the car is going nowhere under its own power.
For the door deadbolt, I machined a deadbolt that connects to an aftermarket door lock solenoid actuated by a key fob. Basically, think of a beefy power door lock mechanism turned on its side. You can unlock the door. But, it won't open while the deadbolt is actuated.
Again, these weren't meant to cover every possible thing someone could do. As mentioned, if someone shows up with a helicopter to carry the car off, none of these would be much help!
My friend participated at the Italian Mille Miglia show/race last year and got his early Porsche 911 stolen from the hotel parking lot, never to be seen again ! Upon investigation it was agreed that all precautions should be taken to cost the thieves 10 minutes or more. That is the time frame that is said to be needed for a camera/safety system to work an alarm and get security personnel in place. I am just forwarding what my friend told me. he said he so wished that he would simply have pulled the rotor or incorporated another hidden kill switch or so. (the old trick).
The camera showed that they simply rammed a large screwdriver in the ign lock and started the car and drove off in seconds.
tell me why any one would steal a old classic?, 1st what are they going to do, take it to a chop shop?, 2nd, if they drive it, it sticks out like a sore thumb, 3rd, mosy cars are on some forum and the picturre is plastered all over the place and everyone knows who owns what, 4th, if they try to sell it, I'm sure the ;buyer would have a hard time saying O ya, I've been working on it for quite a while. so tell me, is it worth wild to steal a old classic?. I'm more worried about some jerk running a red lite an ramming me, or some kid keying my car at a car show. just my thought
One good deterrent.m is to have a stick shift model. Most people now cannot drive stick shift. Both my wife's vintage cars are stickshift.
I like Guenters' idea to slow them down 10 mins.
I think most vehicles are stolen for the parts. That's why Honda's and Toyota's are on the top of the most stolen vehicles lists.
Just look at what it costs to buy parts today, $$$$.
I agree that it might seem easy to find stolen classic car with all of the forums, but every year several are stolen out of trucks and enclosed trailers at hotel parking lots around the annual Los Angeles Roadster Show.
The 1999-2002 model F-350 were at the top of the list a few years back. Pull the plastic door handle trim cover off, reach inside the door, push the lock up, open the door and use a vise-grip or small crescent wrench to break the column key lock and off you go. All in about 30 seconds. Ask me how I know. >:(
Street Rodder had a car stolen about 3 years before they stopped production of the mag. Never has been recovered. Conventional wisdom is that went to South America as there wasn't more than 4 consecutive inches on that car that had not been modified in some fashion.
Which brings me to the question...WHY since everything on those cars was donated...did they not have a Lo-Jack system in it.
With Lo-Jack...your car gets stolen...cops call Lo-Jack...give them a code...Lo-Jack turns on the tracking system...tells the cops where it is. When a patrol unit spots the car, they radio dispatch wh tells Lo-Jack to "turn it off"...and the engine stops functioning.
Buddy at Phoenix P.D. said it works like a charm. They made a big push years ago for people to place that in cars that were most stolen...killed thefts by a bunch, AND got cars recovered with o damage. The P.D. also broke up a couple of cop shops because the cars had been taken to those.
I...will be installing Lo-Jack in the Courier...
Bottom line, if they want it they're going to get it. Nothing in the world except a vault will stop it from happening. My 90 Thunderbird Super Coupe was stolen from the Meadow Lands parking garage, a secured parking garage with attendants and cameras. Broke the passenger side window, the ignition lock and took every Super Coupe trim item off the car. It was recovered, no wheels and tires, up on blocks in an ally.
Quote from: rmk57 on 2022-02-13 15:04
The 1999-2002 model F-350 were at the top of the list a few years back. Pull the plastic door handle trim cover off, reach inside the door, push the lock up, open the door and use a vise-grip or small crescent wrench to break the column key lock and off you go. All in about 30 seconds. Ask me how I know. >:(
Randy, A few years ago, some thieves attempted be steal my 99 F350 Dually as well. I guess they were not as competent as your crooks, however. I was going out to my daily driver, to go to work, when I noticed that the safety chains for my enclosed car trailer were unhooked, laying on the ground. Looking a bit closer, I found that the hitch pin had been removed, and when I looked inside the cab of the truck, I could see that the steering wheel (with the club still attached) was badly bent, and the ignition key housing smashed to crap. I guess that the thieves hoped to steal the truck, but not the trailer, and figured if they accelerated hard enough, that the trailer receiver would slide out and the trailer would stay behind. I guess they gave up, and left, because , since the truck is only normally used for towing the trailer to and from the dragstrip,so I "boobytrap" it so even if the keys were left in the ignition, it wouldn`t start. What I do is simple, and takes me less than 15 seconds to do, would likely take a Ford Tech some time to figure out. I must admit, that I was surprised that they smashed the ignition, before getting the club off the steering wheel, even if they got the truck running, they couldn`t drive it with the club on the wheel.
As for stealing a classic car, thats a tough one. On my 59, between the 4 speed, manual steering and brakes, most younger people likely wouldn`t be able to drive it very far anyhow! One plus for the 57-59 Ford cars is, that unless the crooks are familiar with these cars , they would likely not be aware of the inside hood release , and the rearward opening hood, so after a few minutes looking around the front grill, give up in confusion. But if they planned to get inside, and hotwire the car from under the dash, yeah, with no locking steering column, or other security features, they are sitting ducks. My 59 has never spent a night outside unattended since I got it on the road, but if I had to, I would do a few things to hinder theft, like removing the starter solenoid wire, remove the coil wire and ignition rotor, not likely the crooks would be carrying a coil wire and rotor with them. If they were to use a tow truck, just not much you can do about that, I suppose, if you are in a Motel, and if possible, I would try to park my car right outside my window, so if any noise was happening, I would have a better chance to hear it. That said, I am more concerned about some inattentive driver crashing into my car, or somebody vandalizing it, than actually stealing it.
Went on a road trip a few years ago to California with a good friend. He would park his car under the hotel room window, had a kill switch installed, put a baby monitor in the car, car cover locked on the car. Then through the night we got to hear, 'I wonder what is under the cover', 'my Dad had one like that', 'your husband better not find out about this', 'what time is our wake up?', and then him going to the window to check it out. Brutal.
My Mustang convertible was never found, if they want it they will get it. Good insurance, lots of recent photos, Lo Jack type tracking system.
Terry
:canada:
Lost a 66 Mustang, If they want it they will get it. Most leave the country. They find them in containers at the port occasionally.
I agree with the comments: If they want it, they will get it. Most of the precautions taken only slow down the drive off thefts and not haul off thefts. I like the idea of a locator beacon. In my opinion, all the deterants are there to encourage thefts to take an easier target.
I'm thinking that using multiple anti-theft techniques has the best chance of deterring or at least slowing down a thief. A visual deterrent like a steering wheel lock, an ignition kill switch and pulling the rotor and coil wire. I like the idea of putting a baby monitor in the car although if at a motel, I wonder how much sleep I'd get. I was also thinking about running the neutral safety switch through a hidden kill switch. Yes, you could just jump the starter solenoid, but it it's going to take more time to figure out.
In my past life, I worked as a service manager in a large volume motorcycle dealership. Five major brands, and up to 3000 units sold each year. Lo-Jack was one of the many accessories we sold with the new vehicles. My job as a "licensed installer" was to hide the Lo-Jack system on a motorcycle.
My take is they are not that great. At the time they had a $700 installed price. They work on a FM radio signal. That's great if you are in a large city, but the FM radio coverage fails quickly as you get out of town. Lo-Jack would not let us sell/install their system on any ATV, UTV, Side by Side, or Dirt Bike as these vehicles are used most of the time in areas that would not have the radio system coverage. Any Police car you see that has the three antennas on the trunk lid has a Lo-Jack tracking system.
I think with the progress in technology today you should lean toward a GPS based system, maybe just a old phone wired to a auxiliary battery?
I hate thieves.
Lo-Jack has changed a lot probably since then...sure is worth checking out.
Anybody know the cost and details about the LoJack system? Monthly fee?
https://lojack.com/products/stolen-vehicle-recovery-cars-trucks-suvs/
The cost of a LoJack for a collectible or classic car is anywhere between $700 and $725
Regarding LoJack: I checked into this a couple years ago. LoJack had gone out of business. I talked to a guy in Arizona that was part of a group trying to bring it back. He stated that in my area; Colorado front range, there aren't many police departments that take part in this program any longer. I don't know where it stands today. So maybe they have it sorted out by now. I'd be interested to see if the Colorado Springs PD is now part of the system?? Without PD participation, not much valve.
Had a friend that just had his Honda Pilot stolen. Investigator stated that other than disabling ignition system, a physical deterrence is best; like an old fashion steering wheel "The Club".
Colorado Springs has a vehicle (ALPR) that has many-many high-tech cameras and computer aboard that its only job is to drive around and scan vehicles. The laptop screen is populated by every car that is scanned; either parked or moving. If a plate is flagged by the data-base, it shows up on the screen for the officer to take action. This isn't just for stolen vehicles but for outstanding warrants and the like.
Good info, Les. Good to hear from you. We're going to get in touch one of these days!!
Les...Phoenix P.D. has that system as well. So does Branson MO P.D. I noticed strangely enough today.
Was not aware that Lo-Jack had gone out of business...that sucks. My buddy at Phoenix P.D. recovered a lot of stolen cars through that program.
You bet Rich.
Read an article a couple of years ago about placing a cell phone that has "tracking" capabilities. Wire it to the 12V system and hide it in the car. With it turned on you can track where the vehicle is. No idea if that is a viable alternative but it seams like it might work.
Along that line, they have apps that you can set up on a phone to track your teenager or, ahem, spouse.
My son, in Florida, and I have used it for a few years now. Before I call, I usually check to see where he's at so I don't bother him if he's out or working. I thought about hooking up a hidden cell phone in the '57 a few years back, but monthly charges were so high I didn't. My wife just told me our cell phone bills use to be 70 or 80 a month per phone, but now we're on a program for the past year or so that our 3 phones are only 60ish a month total for 3 phones. Maybe it's time to wire in a hidden power supply socket! BTW, I just showed my wife how she can track me.............and now that I'm old, it's ok!
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2022-02-18 19:13
BTW, I just showed my wife how she can track me.............and now that I'm old, it's ok!
Shouldn't that be "young and bullet proof"?
I think you guys are looking at this from the wrong prospective. It is true, if they want it, they will get it. Years ago I lost 2 cars (41 Ford couple & 55 crown vic) from a locked garage. The thieves backed two recovery trucks into my driveway, waved to my neighbors loaded the cars, closed the garage door and left. It was winter, so it was a week after I got back from vacation before I went to the garage and saw the lock broken.
A state cop gave me the best advice, Set the car up to give them trouble shortly after it is stolen. My best friend bore this out, he had a hidden fuel shut off on his 51 Ford conv. One night the police woke him up to tell him his car was sitting in the middle of the road a 1/4 mile from his house.
Car thieves around here are using an Apple device called an "Air Tag"
Its a tracking device devised to find your phone.... they are cheap to buy and not sure of the range.
What the thieves are doing is.. say at a large mall, they see a desired car they want,... they place the AirTag on the vehicle... maybe do 10 cars and track them to the persons residence.
they later come and get the vehicle a few days later.
Well. you can do the reverse... place one on your car hidden, and track your car if it gets lifted.
People use these for there pets, belongings etc, etc,.....
they are cheap...$30 bucks each or a pack for $100
Again... not too sure of the range..... but ........
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/apple-tracking-devices-being-used-in-thefts-of-high-end-cars-in-york-region-police-1.5690819
Aren't those the ones that have to be near cell phones that are turned on to be of use? I'm not talking about your cell phone, anybody's in the area will work I believe. Problem is, if the car is in a shed out in the boonies or a trailer on a lonesome highway (think Texas, not Toronto), they're useless. I may be thinking of another tag.not sure.
Im doing the apple tags, its mainly about having them in a hard to reach place, I believe that if you car is stolen with them they can check for them and make them beep. I got the 4 pack. we have 5 old cars, but some get used more than others.
All they need to be is paired with your phone on the Find My app and assign them a name name. You can turn off all the notifications, just use it when the worst happens. Apparently the battery lasts a year and it will let you know to replace the battery.
The system uses bluetooth by any phones nearby to create a ping to the cell tower. I think it shows you the car within about 20 feet.
So if indeed a thief is using an airtag, they will also give you the location.
So after reading all kinds input on this subject, it seems to me that there are two ways your car can be stolen: either drive it away or haul it away. While I agree that if they really want it, they will take it. However, if you adopt a two-pronged approach, maybe you can dissuade them or at least slow them down. For the drive it away thieves, a hidden kill switch, removing the rotor, a locking battery disconnect switch or fuel cut off valve could prevent your car from leaving. For the haul it away thieves, cranking the wheel with a club-like device installed, removing the steering wheel or using a wheel boot might deter them. Having said that, I have read about folks who have used all of these methods and still lost their car. Of course, having proper car insurance and maybe installing a GPS tracker for a worst case scenario adds another layer of protection. Jeez, all I want to do is go for a drive!
JD...yea...seems so that nowadays the only way to keep from losing the thing is to never let it out of our sight if it isn't in your garage under lock and key!!! >:(
Since two of my cars are part time race cars, they have the battery in the trunk. So I use a battery terminal disconnect. So when I park I just open.the trunk and turn the switch to off which cuts all power. Also one is a 4 speed manual and the other is an automatic with a manual valve body so they are pretty safe from younger thieves. 😉
James