Theft protection

[Rainer S.]

With my restored 63 SWC parked in the garage, I started to wonder, what is the best way to protect it from being stolen.
I carry a $85,000 insurance policy, but really would never want to make a claim...
So, what is the best way to protect it ? I don't want to make a fortress out of my home.
What is the best alarm system on the market ?
I know, I can dis-able the steering, and pedalls, but that does not work.
Just recently, a 66 (?) corvette was stolen from a parking lot in Birmingham, Mi., during the Woodward Cruise, even thou the owner had the pedals chained. (Thiefs probably pulled it on a flat back.)
Any Ideas ?

Rainer

[Ray G.]

Re: Theft protection

Hello;

How about the Corvette on jack stands, with the wheels removed?

Support just behind the front stabilizer bar and at the corners of the frame in front of the rear wheels.

Hope this helps.
Ray

[Patrick H.]

Re: Theft protection

I just keep my cars covered, and don't leave the garage door open too much. If people don't know it's there, they won't get interested enough to take the car.
Make sure the battery is disconnected when you have it parked.

If you want, you can get an alarm system for your garage. However, I suspect that's overkill.

Other than my simple precautions above, I just don't worry about it. If someone wants my car bad enough they'll take it no matter what I do.

Patrick

[Ray G.]

Re: Theft protection

Hello Patrick;

Your probably correct. Out of sight, out of mind.

Thanks.
Ray

[Paul J.]

Re: Theft protection

Rainer:

I'm going to give you one of my very closely guarded secrets that I got from a reformed (sic) car thief. I guess it's safe to give up to my fellow NCRS members.

I used to drive my 64 out to movies and restraurants on Friday and Saturday nights and I never worried about it not being there when I got back. I simply took the coil wire with me. I had the ignition shielding off on these occaisions and when I parked it I popped the hood and put the wire in my pocket. It is a convertable so I never locked it (as per the thief and common sense) and I also just turned the ignition to "off" and not "lock" (the thief said just leave the key in it, but I think that attracts too much attention).

You can also achieve the same effect with a battery disconnect that has a removable link.

Joy riders have no idea what to do when it doesn't start and pro thieves are'nt going to work on it in the parking lot.

Both of these methods allow the car to remain pretty much stock.

As for being in your garage, I would'nt worry a whole lot. If you're really concerned, I agree with the others to keep a reletively low profile and install an alarm system. Remember, if your police response time is more than 20 minutes, an alarm will do little good. Forget about buying a big dog, they're not as effective as people think (trust me).

In my more paranoid times, I've chained my 600 lb Harley to the car when I've gone on vacation. But as I've said, that's just paranoia.

Pull the coil wire and forget about it.

Paul

[John D.]

Re: Theft protection

There is one way to slow down a thief from steeling your pride and joy. Very few use it though except for the police. If you don't pay your parking tickets a Rhino Denver Boot is quickly put on a wheel. There may be other brands. Not a cheap item though and don't settle for the small poc fake one.
I have been using one of those boots since 1996 and have yet to see another at a show. Vendors say oh it's to rich for their blood. Car owners say the same thing. Plan on spending about 400.oo or so plus a lock. They are made for anything on wheels and I mean anything. Google Gall's Inc. Gall's catalog is strictly for fireman and the police but anyone can buy from them. I don't have their email address. Call 1-800-477-7766.
The only way a thief can get buy this heavy duty devise is with a torch. Draggin a vehicle with it on will result in severe damage to the vehicle.
Use the Denver Boot along with a concealed alarm.
Email me at johndegreg@aol.com for more info. Don't use our email here please as I rarely look at it.
I have been looking thru the brochure while typing and see that the boot is in fact available for anything on wheels including big rigs, motor cycles, planes (on the ground) and any width of tire or wheel diameter.
Please let me know if anyone buys one. You know why??? Because I have been preaching this for 12 years now and so far no one has bought one.
I mean it's only 400 buks. You can install on in one minute.
Here is another number and name. MITI manufacturing 303-434-9100 but try Gall's first. JD

[Anthony M.]

Re: Theft protection

There are many ways to deter theft some of which have been outlined in previous posts. These will help you in most situations.

Unfortunately, if you are dealing with professionals there is little that you can do. See the movie "Gone in 60 seconds" starring Nick Cage or any one of the popular repo man shows. If it is desireable enough the pros will be patient and take it however they can. I know that people take extreme measures to keep from losing their vehicles to the repo man but sooner or later they make a mistake. The only real protection is proper insurance coverage.

[John D.]

Re: Theft protection

I also spoke with a guy associated with those in that business once. They use the repo type tow trucks where the driver doesn't have to get out...he just backs up until the bar hits the front tires close the clamp lift and away you go. Gone in less than 60 seconds.

[Paul J.]

Re: Theft protection

John:

Expensive, but a great idea. Cheaper and more mobile than a garage alarm system.

Anthony is correct that a thief will be patient if he wants the car bad enough. The thief that I talked to said that when he wanted a particular car he would work on it until he either ran out of time, ran into a problem that he had to work out, or tripped an alarm. He would then return later to finish the job.

However, he also said that he stayed away from rare cars like vintage vettes because they were hard to get rid of. The infamous "Desert Rat" proved this true.

For those who don't remember the Desert Rat, it was a Bloomington Gold winner (I think) that was stolen in it's hauler on it's way home. It was found abandoned in the desert.

Paul

[Joe R.]

Re: Theft protection

Gee guys, I take another approach! I think Clint Eastwood stated it properly when he said, "This is the world's most powerful handgun".

Sleep with your baby if your really worried and take a tip from Clint!

JR

[Christopher R.]

Re: Theft protection

1. Put the car on jackstands; take one or more of the wheels off; and, store the wheel(s) elsewhere. I keep the car in the garage, and the wheel(s) in the cellar.

2. Park something in front of the garage. A boat or a trailer would be good. Try to leave your civilian car in front of the garage.

[Tom B.]

Re: Theft protection

Disabling your car to a great extent like removing the wheels in the garage could also lead to it's ultimate demise in the case of a house or garage fire. Instead of backing it out before it caught fire you would just have to stand there and watch it burn if you couldn't get the wheels out of the basemant and back on the car in NASCAR pit crew speed. If you live somewhere where home thefts are common wouldn't you be better off with a whole house alarm system anyway?

How about cutting a square in the concrete floor and installing a heavy steel loop in concrete. Then you could attach a very heavy Dale Pearman style log chain to that and use a large lock too secure the car. Then, in case of emergency, all you have to do is unlock the lock.

[Rainer S.]

Re: Theft protection

Thanks everybody for the verity of options.
For the time being I will relay on good Insurance.
Like John said, if someone wants it bad enough, he will take it.
I will drive it as much as possible. Drove it 100 miles yesterday on a beautiful fall day in Michigan. When I store it for the winter, I will decide on one or more of the mentioned options...

Thanks again,

Rainer

[Bernard M.]

Re: Theft protection

I installed my garage doors without handles. They only open from the outside using the electric opener. I also installed them in a manner such that they plug in instead of being hard wired (not per code in some areas). When I'm away for an extended period, I unplug the openers. It won't prevent someone from breaking in through the house, but it's a cheap deterent.

[Jim T.]

Re: Theft protection

I once lived with only a carport for protected parking. Would use a chain through the spokes of my 69 Triumph motorcycles rear tire chained to the lower control arm of our 68 Corvette. Made me feel better when going off in our 70 Corvette, although only a deterant to a determined thief. Would also remove the rotor cap from the 68. A few other easily done deterrents are possible.
A garage door can be more secure if the garage door lock is used, having other daily driven cars in the garage makes extra effort for using the convienence of the electric garage door opener. Do not know about all garage door locks, but I did see one once that would not prevent the door from being raised because the metal locking bar was so thin it would bend easily. Garage doors can be secured in other ways from the inside, again just takes effort and some time to make it harder for the thief. Just take a look at the garage door and use your imagination on how to secure it.
Another modification to garage door openers that did not come with it, is a replacement electronic module on the garage door opener that has a hard wired switch to open/close, turn the garage door opener lights on/off, and a security feature that disables the function of even using any remote garage door opener.