How do you prevent theft of your car?

[P.S.]

I don't park my Model A just anywhere. When I do leave the car, I lock the doors and shut off the gas valve. However, I like the suggestion above about taking the rotor out! That's great. Doesn't stop a flatbed tow truck from stealing it, but does prevent a joyride.

I live in real small town (no stop lights) and small (population wise) county with a lot of square miles. Nearly everyone knows my car and if someone saw my car cruising along with someone else besides me or my wife in it, there would be trouble.

[DrinkMan]

I don't do anything special. I don't lock the car (I've even accidentally left the key in the ignition since that is where I keep it at home). So few people can drive a manual transmission that to think that a theif would know how to start a Model A and then drive it would be a rare thing.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...n-9563062.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRDQy7f-g88

[by3]

Good topic.

[37fordtruckguy]

I just disconnect the coil wire.

[KenCoupe]

Originally Posted by Drive Shaft Dave

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

I did that with a 1966 VW. It was stolen, but I was lucky and got it back (with broke rear axle). After I got it back, the rotor came out every time I parked. Good idea for the Model A also.

[Tudortomnz]

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I rarely lock my car as I live in a small rural town. I do lock it if I am at an old car meet, as people will sometimes open a door, even sit in it if unattended!
I am 60 & think there would be no one younger than that who could possibly start & drive away with any success even with the key .

[Arlen]

Wasn't theft the original reason for the pop out ignition switch?

[roccaas]

Originally Posted by 37fordtruckguy

I just disconnect the coil wire.

I keep an old coil wire that has fried internals. Looks fine from the outside, but will not pass current. I also do this on my uh, well, other car (Chevy).

Also, cleaning your weapons (cheerfully now, not with a weird gun nut look) on the front porch, and word gets around that you are not to be messed with on any account.

[Bob Bidonde]

Ford gave us the popout ignition switch that grounds the ignition when the switch is in the OFF position. The gas shutoff valve also adds to the difficulty of theft. A battery cutoff switch is another protection. However, a knowledgeable Model A thief will get through all of these deterrents. The bottom line is that if a theif seriously wants the car, it will be stolen.

I am of the opinion that most Model A's are stolen by people who know how to drive them.

[V4F]

i am simple about it . park where i can see it , lock it , turn gas off .......................

[KGBnut]

Model T coils can be a fun deterrent.

[Marco Tahtaras]

I've never worried about it and never will. I have better odds of winning the lottery.

[Marshall57]

Originally Posted by Drive Shaft Dave

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

Not a lot of thieves with extra ignition parts and they come off so easily.

[Model A Man]

When I lived in California. I was at frys store in Burbank. This was at Christmas time when I came out of the store I noticed the motormeter cap was open. I went to close it and it came off in my hand. Someone tried to steal it but must have seen me coming back before the got it all he way off. After that I always wanted to leave a sign on the car that said. Please dont steal parts off my car, I worked hard for what I have, get a job and buy your own parts. But then I figured they would just take the whole car.

[29Cabriolet]

Originally Posted by 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.

Seems to me that if they are able to even start the car, they would know about the gas shut off. And I wonder how many potential thieves would target Model A's if they didn't know enough about them to complete the job? That would be only the amateurs who panic and leave the car behind.

[goodoldvic]

I drive my car a lot and go everywhere with it. If someone is gonna glom it they will. I use my battery disconnect take my key and try to park in a conspicuous spot other than that I enjoy it. My cars also a driver and I think someone would rather steal a rod or something of that ilk. But that's just my two cents

[Bruce Lancaster]

Flatbed...no answer except a motion sensor alarm, which would probably go off every time a bird lit on the car and drive you mad.

People getting into a roadster and stealing shift knob, radiator cap, etc...no answer except rabid dog or Thompson. Legalities a difficulty...

Drive-away theft: Probably less than 1% of the human race could figure out gas shutoff, pop-out, or the location of starter. Maybe 10% could manage three speed shift pattern.
With no popout, dash tunnel combined with the highly eccentric backwards switching on an A would confound even most mechanics. For Model A humor on this, watch the Old Bonney and Clyde movie...Beatty pops open the left hood of a parked Model A, fiddles with something unseen for 3 seconds, and the car comes right to life! HA! Good luck, Fella!

[Bill B]

It would take a little time, but take out the rotor and the "A" is going nowhere.
We did that in high school just to mess a guy up.

[Keith True]

I guess if it ever bothers me I'll start taking the key out.I keep the cars in garages here at home,the garage doors get barred from the inside and I go out the side doors.I have never owned a house key for my home.My rentals have keys,but I have to ask the tenants to let me in,I have no idea where my keys are.It may seem strange,but it has always looked to me that the people that do the most to prevent problems have the most problems.If you park a car in a parking lot across a couple of slots to keep people from door-dinging it you might as well hang a sign on it saying,key me.Some people can be real jerks,and when they see somebody trying to preserve their car by taking up a couple of parking spots they see red.I just drive and park normally,and have had zero problems since 1972.

[quickchange]

Just hire Bill & Dog , problem solved ?? Have a master switch in all of mine, seen results of fires & will not allow an A in my shop unless battery isolated , I also turn off the fuel but normally leave key in the ignition , most thiefs would expect a key start ??Of course keep insurance hi just in case ,