Classic Car security options
Discussion
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Edited by avaF1 on Wednesday 30th November 15:59
As with a lot of security: It depends.
How often do you use your car?
Where is it stored?
Is it blocked in by anything else?
Is it a sought-after model?
How much faff do you want when you want to use it?
You can go belt and braces with steering locks, wheel clamps, alarms, trackers, removable bollards, even ground anchors and chains if you want but if you use it every day or it's a poverty spec Ford Focus then it's all for nought. Remember, it just has to be harder to steal than the next one.
I'd recommend an aftermarket, modern alarm system and something more visual like a disk lock style device. That would suffice for most modern cars, let alone something a bit retro.
How often do you use your car?
Where is it stored?
Is it blocked in by anything else?
Is it a sought-after model?
How much faff do you want when you want to use it?
You can go belt and braces with steering locks, wheel clamps, alarms, trackers, removable bollards, even ground anchors and chains if you want but if you use it every day or it's a poverty spec Ford Focus then it's all for nought. Remember, it just has to be harder to steal than the next one.
I'd recommend an aftermarket, modern alarm system and something more visual like a disk lock style device. That would suffice for most modern cars, let alone something a bit retro.
One simple, cheap thing you can include is a Dis-Car-Nect battery terminal, with the little knurled screw that goes in to connect/disconnect the electrics. Can put a small fuse in parallel with it if you have a radio etc that needs constant power.
It's hardly high security, but it hinders opportunistic starting and driving off and is very cheap.
It's hardly high security, but it hinders opportunistic starting and driving off and is very cheap.
Consider systems that require minimal input from the user.
Wheel clamps, pedal clamps, steering wheel locks, manual battery disconnection devices are all very well but on daily use vehicles after initial enthusiastic use tend to get left in the boot - esp for the 'just nipping to the shops' trips.
Anything that involves opening the bonnet to use will suffer the same fate - particularly in bad weather.
Wheel clamps, pedal clamps, steering wheel locks, manual battery disconnection devices are all very well but on daily use vehicles after initial enthusiastic use tend to get left in the boot - esp for the 'just nipping to the shops' trips.
Anything that involves opening the bonnet to use will suffer the same fate - particularly in bad weather.
Edited by paintman on Wednesday 30th November 11:06
avaF1 said:
///POLL///
Alarm and Immobiliser?
Tracker?
All of the above?
For non CANBUS cars...... so called ' analogue ' options sought !!
Discreet......reliable....... is the name of the game when it comes to protecting 80s and 90s classics.
PH recommendations invited.
All of the above - combined with a tricky starting sequence of pumping accelerator for x times, manual choke at a magic point, crossing fingers and hoping the bugger starts.Alarm and Immobiliser?
Tracker?
All of the above?
For non CANBUS cars...... so called ' analogue ' options sought !!
Discreet......reliable....... is the name of the game when it comes to protecting 80s and 90s classics.
PH recommendations invited.
Big yellow disklok to try to persuade wrong ‘ins to look elsewhere.
Add Datatag marking to your list as well. Very discrete, but helps dissuade people nicking to ring/strip down.
If you‘ve got a lot of glass, then etching kits from Retaina Group can also be worth a look (there is also some component marking in these kits but not as easy to spread around as the dots in the datatag kit).
If you’re feeling especially paranoid, do both.
Basically try to make it difficult/expensive for the vehicle or its parts to lose their identity.
If you‘ve got a lot of glass, then etching kits from Retaina Group can also be worth a look (there is also some component marking in these kits but not as easy to spread around as the dots in the datatag kit).
If you’re feeling especially paranoid, do both.
Basically try to make it difficult/expensive for the vehicle or its parts to lose their identity.
yes........ it was alarm recommendations invited........... can only find Clifford? which looks like a toy..... !! Manufacturers and products for non CANBUS vehicles sought.
steering locks, wheel clamps, bollards really not relevant for my ask................
tracker seem interesting................ but annual subscriptions very much off putting !!
steering locks, wheel clamps, bollards really not relevant for my ask................
tracker seem interesting................ but annual subscriptions very much off putting !!
RazerSauber said:
As with a lot of security: It depends.
How often do you use your car?
Where is it stored?
Is it blocked in by anything else?
Is it a sought-after model?
How much faff do you want when you want to use it?
You can go belt and braces with steering locks, wheel clamps, alarms, trackers, removable bollards, even ground anchors and chains if you want but if you use it every day or it's a poverty spec Ford Focus then it's all for nought. Remember, it just has to be harder to steal than the next one.
I'd recommend an aftermarket, modern alarm system and something more visual like a disk lock style device. That would suffice for most modern cars, let alone something a bit retro.
How often do you use your car?
Where is it stored?
Is it blocked in by anything else?
Is it a sought-after model?
How much faff do you want when you want to use it?
You can go belt and braces with steering locks, wheel clamps, alarms, trackers, removable bollards, even ground anchors and chains if you want but if you use it every day or it's a poverty spec Ford Focus then it's all for nought. Remember, it just has to be harder to steal than the next one.
I'd recommend an aftermarket, modern alarm system and something more visual like a disk lock style device. That would suffice for most modern cars, let alone something a bit retro.
A modern Cat 1 alarm for insurance and perhaps adds the benefit remotely locking to your car.
Park with the front wheels turned and on the steering lock: a lot of old cars are stolen by towing or dragging out of their resting spot so having the wheels turned on lock makes it more difficult.
A disclock steering lock is a good visual deterrent too, especially when out and about.
Anything else just makes the car hassle to use regularly.
Park with the front wheels turned and on the steering lock: a lot of old cars are stolen by towing or dragging out of their resting spot so having the wheels turned on lock makes it more difficult.
A disclock steering lock is a good visual deterrent too, especially when out and about.
Anything else just makes the car hassle to use regularly.
avaF1 said:
yes sir....... precisely what I was hoping to receive recommendations for......... manufacturers and models of keyfob alarm immobiliser systems for classic cars !!
Try Hawk Car Alarms.Relatively inexpensive, simple to install and they have options for interior motion detectors and GPS tracker as well if you wish.
I always used a battery brain - a remotely operated battery solenoid switch operated off the keyfob.
I used to switch it off every time I left it - added peace of mind from a fire viewpoint as well (given it was a Lotus Elan).
That said the twin 40's required perfect precision in following a specific procedure to start the car so I doubt anyone could have nicked it anyway.
https://www.batterybrain.co.uk/
I used to switch it off every time I left it - added peace of mind from a fire viewpoint as well (given it was a Lotus Elan).
That said the twin 40's required perfect precision in following a specific procedure to start the car so I doubt anyone could have nicked it anyway.
https://www.batterybrain.co.uk/
I've had classics on and off for 20+ years and the only car that the insurers asked about for immobilisers etc was a Lotus, because 80s ones didn't fit them as standard. I have a 46-year-old Triumph Toledo, and in keeping with period, it came with a crooklook that goes over the handbrake and gearstick. 
If anybody's REALLY determined, nothing would stop them so all you need is a deterrent to the amateur scrote.
Unless it's particularly valuable for parts or rare (Ferrari, Porsche etc), I don't think classic cars get stolen really. Not in my experience anyway. If it's that attractive to thieves, wouldn't it be locked away?
If anybody's REALLY determined, nothing would stop them so all you need is a deterrent to the amateur scrote.Unless it's particularly valuable for parts or rare (Ferrari, Porsche etc), I don't think classic cars get stolen really. Not in my experience anyway. If it's that attractive to thieves, wouldn't it be locked away?
Buy a Sinotrack 4G tracker of Aliexpress and you have a lifetime subscription to their APP, just stick a sim in and some companies offer a M2M sim for that purpose.
They do ODB ones or wired in, which are better because you can hide them.
Lots of features - playback, fuel cutoff, geo fence alarm etc.
Around $50 USD.
They do ODB ones or wired in, which are better because you can hide them.
Lots of features - playback, fuel cutoff, geo fence alarm etc.
Around $50 USD.
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