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Classic car theft on the rise..


Crazy for Cortinas: The 80s cars targeted by thieves - BBC News

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

Absolutely. I put a post on here a month or so back with my preventative measures.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/the-classic-alfa-romeos/944561-classic-security.html

 

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Ours is well protected both at home and when out, thats about as much as I will say on a public forum.:vs_smile:

 

[Joe90GT]

Best thing you can do is to make damn sure your insurance has got decent agreed value policy - as I keep saying if a pro wants your car he will have it whatever you do to try and stop him, its the opportunists that you need to look out for

 

[Alex_P]

I secured my garage sufficiently to tip the "risk/reward" ratio for any thief firmly in my favour, have got a good agreed value policy and, importantly don't leave the car on the drive to advertise where it lives.

What I do need to look at this year is security when it isn't at my house as currently, a wayward toddler with a screwdriver could probably get in and start it; they'd be defeated by the strength required to turn the wheel, but a relative could then be off in it!

I'm thinking about a hidden ignition master switch, as anything more may be too tempting for me to not use if I'm "only gone 5 minutes"...

 

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I'm thinking about a hidden ignition master switch, as anything more may be too tempting for me to not use if I'm "only gone 5 minutes"...

The only problem with that is that with the uncomplicated nature of our cars, unless there is a steering lock involved, you dont need an ignition key to start the car. In fact, put a hidden switch in the ignition circuit and armed with a length of wire under the bonnet you can bypass that switch within seconds.

What you can do is to isolate the main cable feeding the starter motor, even then though the car could be bump started, but there would be no indicators, lights etc working.

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

A fob based insurance approved immobiliser is great.

 

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A fob based insurance approved immobiliser is great.

That might be OK with a newer classic with fuel injection like yours Simon, but old cars on carbs, its no better than a 'secret' switch.

 

[Alex_P]

The only problem with that is that with the uncomplicated nature of our cars, unless there is a steering lock involved, you dont need an ignition key to start the car. In fact, put a hidden switch in the ignition circuit and armed with a length of wire under the bonnet you can bypass that switch within seconds.

What you can do is to isolate the main cable feeding the starter motor, even then though the car could be bump started, but there would be no indicators, lights etc working.

Good points. For out and about then, it sounds like it needs to be something like a steering wheel lock, or immobilisation through removing something vital like the King lead?

 

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Good points. For out and about then, it sounds like it needs to be something like a steering wheel lock, or immobilisation through removing something vital like the King lead?

One of these will stop an opportunist, but not a pro, he'd have a spare key:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BATTERY-ISOLATOR-MASTER-SWITCH-UNIVERSAL/dp/B007CGPASW

 

[Alex_P]

One of these will stop an opportunist, but not a pro, he'd have a spare key:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BATTERY-ISOLATOR-MASTER-SWITCH-UNIVERSAL/dp/B007CGPASW

That's actually what I meant when I said "ignition master switch" as I've put these in kit cars in the past and they effectively stopped battery the discharging itself over time. While they take some ingenuity to hide, I'll give one a go.

 

[Joe90GT]

One of these will stop an opportunist, but not a pro, he'd have a spare key:

BATTERY ISOLATOR MASTER SWITCH - 2 KEYS - UNIVERSAL: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

That's what I fitted - apart from the security aspect - it is easily bypassed by someone who knows their stuff - its great for preventing battery drain and also safety when your working on the car
I have a particular dislike for after market immobilisers and alarms (unless fitted by a very reputable company) because I can remember back in the 80's the fad for fitting these and all the problems they generated
Apparently the police are recommending fitting old fashioned steering locks to expensive cars because the electronics can be beaten but its too much hassle to fight a secure lock

 

[Jim Spackman]

A fob based insurance approved immobiliser is as massive pain in the *rse when you just need to move the car .

Fixed that for you.

 

[spiderserie4]

...the Maestro is obviously not an easy one to nick, just look at dear ol' Maggie in that article above trying to start it outside no.10...and she has the bloody key!