security worries.

[Dennis McGill]

I had no fears about my car being taken until I read the post on this site about what to put on a vette to keep it from getting ripped off. It seems other NCRS members have this concern.

I have no fear about taking my car to Park City. My concern was, (a concern raised by posts on this site) by putting the car on display several times this summer do I need to worry about more security at home and on the car, since now hundreds of people will know I have the car.

Presently I keep the car in an unlocked car trailer. We sometimes leave for days and weeks at a time. This would be an easy rip off.

Since the car can't be locked and hot wiring an old chevy can be done in less than two minutes with some # 14 wire, well... you guys just got me to wondering.

Oh, and as for using the car or selling it, well everybody has their reason for having an old car. I don't have to drive it to enjoy it.

After 22 years this car is part of the family and while I'd probably sell my kids I wouldn't sell the car.
At least not until it can live on its own.

[Kevin M.]

Re: security worries.

"Presently I keep the car in an unlocked car trailer" This is where you should start worrying. As for the rest you just have to be vigilant, I take my green knob on my kill switch with me if it will be out of sight to long, but the good thief know that trick too. I have LoJack that's my best defense. out here in CA they have a huge network and all the Cops I've talked to say it's the way to go. they each told me there onto a car minutes after it's stolen and the success rate is about 98%.

Kevin

[Scott Marzahl]

If they want it, they'll get it

My neighbor lost his Porsche shortly after attending a show and shine event. The thiefs rolled it out of his garage while they slept and presumably onto a flatbed down the street.

Another guy I knew borrowed his buisness partner's new 911 Convertible to take a new girlfriend to a show in downtown LA, he lost the car while getting out of it to park at gunpoint!

[Rick S.]

Re: security worries.

As Kevin states, you should find a better way to secure the car when not being used. A storage garage, lock the trailer, etc. Kevin, its nice to hear that Lojack has a good police support system in Calif but don't come to the Detroit area with your car. As a retired policeman and now working for the local court, I have done an informal survey and have found that Lojack is in very few Detroit area police cars. In Oakland County (largest in Mich), only the sheriffs dept has Lojack and only in a "couple" of cars. In Wayne County, Detroit PD, is the only known agency to have Lojack (remember, informal survey). Detroit PD has a hard time answering Class 1 crimes(Felony in progress) so I would like to know what kind of priority they would put on a Lojack hit. One other point, did you ever see one of these locators work in a police car? They drive you crazy with false "hits" and poor tracking capabilities, thats why many agencies dropped Lojack and the fee they charged to the police department.
Rick

[Michael S.]

Re: If they want it, they'll get it

Were talking about cars in this post, not people. Cars have a definite and definable market value therefore insure your car to its current inflated market value.

Yes it is a pain to have a collector car stolen. Yes you will feel betrayed and violated. Yes you will be mad and want to kill them. Yes you will sit up a night wondering if they will strike again. Yes you will just get disgusted and want to give up the hobby. And yes proper insurance will help ease some of the pain and suffering. I know, I have had a collector car stolen in the past.

I am not so sure that some us treat our cars better than our children and wives! Your Corvette is a THING, POSSESION, BRAGGING ITEM ETC. If you are completely paranoid about your car getting stolen, SELL IT NOW and relieve yourself of another item of stress in your life.

Want my Corvette, the keys are in it!

[Verle R.]

Re: security worries.

"Presently I keep the car in an unlocked car trailer"

I agree with Kevin for another reason. Enclosed car trailers are frequently stolen for the trailer. Any contents are a plus. A friend lost his from inside a high, locked chainlink fence. I hope you have a trailer tongue lock, a large log chain locked to a big tree and a big mean dog near by.

And some of have concealed carry permits just in case...

Verle

[Rick S.]

Re: If they want it, they'll get it

Mike,
What's your address?

[Michael S.]

Re: If they want it, they'll get it

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington DC BR549

It's parked outside behind the white out house.

It's the only vette there with 22 inch wheels!

Mike

[Richard B.]

Security

Dennis,

I agree that a lock on the trailer is needed, but I believe in multiple barriers. Get LoJack if you like, use The Club, hide the car from view, battery disconnect, hidden fuel shutoff, locked doors, and whatever else you can think of. None will prevent it getting a ride on a flatbed, but collectively, they might defeat the local kids. Maybe the biggest chain, and nastiest lock you can find to secure the trailer to a tree, cement post, etc. The idea is to juat make it harder to take. If you are lucky, they might give up before solving the last of your barriers. You can also rent a 10x20 storage unit for $50-$100 per month depending on location. With access to it 24/7, you can put the car in it at night and keep prying eyes away.

Then get it insured with a company that offers "Agreed Value" in case it's lost. That is insurance where they pay an agreed amount, rather than "replacement value", or the Blue Book value on an old Chevy.

Hope these help.

Rich
#36956

[Christopher R.]

Re: security worries.

You really ought to put it in a locked garage.

But if you must keep it in the unlocked trailer for long periods of time, disable the trailer and/or car. Take a tire off and lock that inside the house. Block the trailer and/or car with something else. Inform your neighbors.