How do you prevent theft of your car?

[Brobrian]

We were all reading about the poor old man in Oregon whose A was stolen and wrecked. I, like many of you, drive my A's everywhere. Friends have often asked if I feel safe leaving them in the parking lot when I go out to eat or shopping. My usual response is, "I don't think there are many thieves who know how to fence a car like this, nor how to start or drive it. You'd need a flatbed to steal this car. So I keep a weather eye out for tow trucks tailing me around town." If possible I park where I can see the car, and, of course, I always shut of the gas and remove the key. At home, the cars are inside the garage.

So, how do you feel about leaving your car in a parking lot? Do you secure it somehow?

[mshmodela]

Sadly, nothing is totally theft proof. I have a battery cut off switch near my starter but it would not prevent a flat bed from just yanking the whole car.

[foxfire42]

Hire a guard armed with an AK47.

[BlueSunoco]

I'd think the fuel shut off will 'get' them 90% of the time. After stealing the car and having it die half a block down the road, the thief will panic and bolt leaving the car behind. Few young people know of the shut off under the tank, or know if it is 'on' or 'off' even if they did find it.

[springerpete]

I try to park the A where I can see it. Shut off the gas, shut off the hidden battery switch remove the key. Seems to work as I still have the car.

[George Miller]

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If we tell how we do it then the whole world will know. Then it will not be theft prof

[Pete]

Originally Posted by foxfire42

Hire a guard armed with an AK47.

Excellent plan except I would have him armed with a Thompson because the magazine holds 100 rounds and it's made in the USA..

[29ModelA]

I insure it heavily. When gone I'll buy another.

[ctlikon0712]

I am more worried about them stealing my gas and radiator caps. I don't have the fancy type or the ones with locks. Just the good ole original ones.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

Somtimes if I was really woried about theft I would take the rotor with me.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Pete

Excellent plan except I would have him armed with a Thompson because the magazine holds 100 rounds and it's made in the USA..

thats what i do

[Patrick L.]

Originally Posted by foxfire42

Hire a guard armed with an AK47.

An AK ? Wouldn't a Thompson look better ? [ smiley face]

[Rex_A_Lott]

I always park near nicer and more desireable cars.

[Patrick L.]

I figure that not many today could figure out how to start it, then wouldn't know how to drive it.
Most of the time I just shut off the fuel and get out and go. Once in awhile I'll I'll trip the main cut-out switch. But, heck, I'd forget to turn it back on.

[foxfire42]

Originally Posted by Pete

Excellent plan except I would have him armed with a Thompson because the magazine holds 100 rounds and it's made in the USA..

Oooops, USA made is a better idea except the AK's are more readily available on the corner......however, it's a cash only transaction.

[Brobrian]

Love it, guys!
Let's see. Armed guards, machine guns, just let 'em have it...
Guess, as I suspected, there's not much of a threat.
Wish you hadn't mentioned the radiator and gas caps. Now that will be on my mind. Some idiot will be just dumb enough to think they are valuable.

[peters180a/170b]

i have a 44 mag. 357 mag. 38 and a 9 mm. to name a few... and great neighbors just as armed. Come down my driveway when i am not home and you will be met..

[29tudorsedan]

I have one of the cutoff switches with the removable key, lock both doors and a fox spare tire lock. Plus the Popout is clamped with the stud so even an A'er would at least be slowed down a little I hope!

[holdover]

I'm not as worried about it getting stolen as I am someone keying the paint just for spite when I am not around it. I use a cutoff switch and have a safety fuse on it. Always park it where I can see it. At home with all the security systems it would be tough, they better smile when their pics are being taken from multiple angles and redundant systems, and the alarm is sounding etc etc. I really like my Model A but it is not the most valuable vehicle I own. Also I have stamped some numbers in hard to find locations which might help in the recovery in the event it does get taken. Agreed value insurance will help with the pain.

[Brobrian]

Wow, some of us are serious!
I subscribe to the "Thieves are Lazy" theory. There is no quick market for A's, on A chop shops, and I can't even imagine the coincidence that would have to occur for someone who knows how to start and drive the thing to be in the same place as me and want to steal the car.
That said, I have been keyed once, at a golf course. Still burns me up. A huge four foot scratch right down to the primer.