Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

[Mark E.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

Joe,

I can imagine it now... Your're road tripping your completed '69 up Highway 1 with a Denver boot strapped to the luggage rack.

[Joe L.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

Joe,

I can imagine it now... Your're road tripping your completed '69 up Highway 1 with a Denver boot strapped to the luggage rack.

Mark-------

It won't be on a luggage rack. It will have to fit in the luggage compartment. I feel the same way about luggage racks as I do about side exhaust, tri-power, and TJ-2 louver trim.

[Frank D.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

You can't spend your life worrying about it - have good insurance coverage....

A friend on the Corvette Forum had his car stolen in a well-lit parking lot with guests a few feet away in a restaurant overlooking the parking lot.
A '62 which was recovered heavily trashed (now lovingly restored). If somebody wants your car badly enough and are ballsy enough; its gone..

If they're pros it can be REALLY gone; like in a shipping container headed for Brazil. And there are cheap hand-held, LoJack/cell phone/GPS jammers to foil your hi-tech solutions to theft as well: https://www.jammer-store.com/lojack-...-blockers.html

[Joe L.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

You can't spend your life worrying about it - have good insurance coverage....

A friend on the Corvette Forum had his car stolen in a well-lit parking lot with guests a few feet away in a restaurant overlooking the parking lot.
A '62 which was recovered heavily trashed (now lovingly restored). If somebody wants your car badly enough and are ballsy enough; its gone..

If they're pros it can be REALLY gone; like in a shipping container headed for Brazil. And there are cheap hand-held, LoJack/cell phone/GPS jammers to foil your hi-tech solutions to theft as well: https://www.jammer-store.com/lojack-...-blockers.html

Frank------

When you've owned a car since new and for almost 50 years, insurance coverage can only compensate one for a very minor part of what one has "invested" in a car. For me, obtaining an insurance settlement would offer me very little consolation for losing my car. My car is worth far more to me than money. In fact, if the insurance settlement paid me 10 times what my car is worth, I'd still rather have the car than the money.

Of course, any theft deterrent can be defeated. The important thing is to make it as difficult and time-consuming to steal as possible. In addition to the anti-theft items I mentioned, I have other anti-theft strategies I plan to use. I'm not going to discuss them, though.

[Frank D.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

Frank------

When you've owned a car since new and for almost 50 years, insurance coverage can only compensate one for a very minor part of what one has "invested" in a car. For me, obtaining an insurance settlement would offer me very little consolation for losing my car. My car is worth far more to me than money. In fact, if the insurance settlement paid me 10 times what my car is worth, I'd still rather have the car than the money.

Of course, any theft deterrent can be defeated. The important thing is to make it as difficult and time-consuming to steal as possible. In addition to the anti-theft items I mentioned, I have other anti-theft strategies I plan to use. I'm not going to discuss them, though.

Not even debatable Joe.... Insurance is supposed to make you financially "whole". It is never gonna heal the emotional devastation of losing a car you've put your life's blood into.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

I've done this a few times at "La Quinta" type motels with a portache outside the lobby. I usually offer $10 (I'm cheaper than you, Dan); one time the desk clerk declined saying he enjoyed looking at the car. Even so, I prefer motels where I can park in front of the room's door.

A little OT here...I was riding my Harley Davidson from Maryland to Florida and stopped for the day at a one floor Motel. Got a parking space right in front of my room. After a while it started rain heavily. I didn't want to get the bike all wet, so I just opened the door to my room and pushed the bike right in next to the bed.

[Ralph E.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

A little OT here...I was riding my Harley Davidson from Maryland to Florida and stopped for the day at a one floor Motel. Got a parking space right in front of my room. After a while it started rain heavily. I didn't want to get the bike all wet, so I just opened the door to my room and pushed the bike right in next to the bed.

Patrick, My corvette won't fit thru a motel door.

[Gene M.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

Yes, especially if it's yours that's stolen. Take precautions.

[Dan D.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

I think your last sentence pretty much sums it up.

[Jim T.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

June 1969 my 1964 convertible with 4-speed and factory air conditioning was stolen in Dallas. Thief made a mistake, speeding in Dallas the police pursued and the thief stopped my Corvette and he tried to run. The Dallas policeman did a open field tackle and arrested the thief.

[Leif A.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

June 1969 my 1964 convertible with 4-speed and factory air conditioning was stolen in Dallas. Thief made a mistake, speeding in Dallas the police pursued and the thief stopped my Corvette and he tried to run. The Dallas policeman did a open field tackle and arrested the thief.

Jim,
I looked at your bio. It shows you sold the '64 in '69. Shortly after it was recovered by our outstanding men in blue here in Dallas, I presume?

[Scott S.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

My wife and I have been traveling on the NCRS Road Tours since 1987, mostly in our C-1 and C-2 cars without any issues, except in 2014. We had a Corvette (not ours) taken from the hotel lot. Fortunately, the Police found the car abandoned on the highway about 45 minutes from the hotel. The car for the most part was undamaged and was driven home.
I always try to disconnect something to at least slow the thieves down.
I would hate to have to loose one but that is what we have insurance for.
I refuse to sit at home and let the thieves win!
Scott Sinclair NCRS Road Tour leader

[Keith R.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

Mark,

I had to reread it a few times, but I don't think it was Kieth's car that was stolen over in England, it was his friend's '62. It appears it was recovered though, which is a great ending.

As far as theft threat....I recall a recent story about a 1960. Truck and trailer with 2 cars inside, one a '60 Corvette were stolen. Rig was recovered later, but the '60 was gone. A C(1 or 2) was stolen from a restaurant area at the Woodward Dream Cruise event while owners inside some time ago. So it does happen.

I myself have good insurance policy on my '59 and the wife's E-Type Jag. Both also have alarms that notify me if the car is opened up or bumped, tilted or moved. This makes for a more pleasant dinner out time when we can't get a seat by a window to keep the car in view.

Rich

What alarm system are you using on your
59 Richard?

[Gene M.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

What alarm system are you using on your
59 Richard?

Pretty much any alarm system the thieves are keen to and already have a way around it. Short of a flat bed truck and sonic wave pulse there is not much that will stop them. The trick is to slow them down or discourage them to "shop" some where else. A big big heavy chain around a flag pole that bolt cutters wound not touch is one way. Gotta allow for extra weight and room when traveling. True a die grinder will cut it but the key is "slow them down" or "discourage" them.

[Mark E.]

Re: Is vintage Corvette auto theft a significant threat?

I installed a Bulldog alarm. Two wires- red one clipped to the horn relay, black one clipped to the frame. The unit is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. I mounted it using double sided tape to the inner fender, just inside the fender grill. Fairly loud, easily removed without a trace, and is controlled with a nice looking key fob. It has a current sensor and an adjustable shock sensor. About $40.