Anti-Theft Tips for Safeguarding Your Classic Car

Being in the classic automobile scene means dealing with a lot of heartbreak and frustration. Parts inevitably break. The budget is tight. And you might feel as though you spend more time working on your ride than actually driving it. For us gearheads though, it’s worth it. Because these cars are a joy to drive—plus, they’re unique and often a great way to mingle with new people.

However, there’s a downside to all of the attention they gain.

Sure, it’s wonderful to know that you’ll never again pull into a gas station and not have something to talk about. But, in the back of our minds, there’s always the lingering fear that the wrong person could strike a less-than-friendly interest in our cars.

For several enthusiasts, that anxiety became a reality at this year’s Hot Rod Power Tour.

Every year, thousands of enthusiasts band together for a seven day, seven-city road trip celebrating a shared love of classic cars and the personal pride of each driver’s build. This year, the event was celebrating its 25th anniversary, with new stops and autocross days to add to the usual entertainment. And though the organizers work hard to keep everyone safe, some lowlifes had the bright idea to target these custom rides for their own gain. At least five cars were reported stolen in the Charlotte, North Carolina area on the first stop of the tour.

After hearing this news, we at The Engine Block decided to visit the topic as a way to deliver some cautionary advice and anti-theft tips for enthusiasts. This way, you’re better informed of the measures you can take for safeguarding your classic car against thieves.

Before we get going, we want to direct you to the Facebook page that was set up for those who lost their cars at Hot Rod Power Tour. This page is where victims and Good Samaritans are networking to share information regarding the crimes in an effort to get these vehicles back. If you live in the Charlotte area, or just want to spread awareness, check it out here.

Anti-Theft Tips for the Classic Car Enthusiast

There’s no shortage of anti-theft tips to be found on the internet, but our focus is on safeguarding your classic car. So, the measures will be a little different than your run-of-the-mill precaution. That said, we’ll be focusing on some of the most common practices and breaking down their effectiveness, so you can decide what’s the best option for your ride.

Remove the Steering Wheel

While it may seem drastic, removing the steering wheel is a great way to ward off many thieves. Even though Mad Max was able to operate a big rig with a pipe wrench in place of the steering wheel, real life isn’t so forgiving. For the most part, without a steering wheel a car is virtually inoperable. (We say “for the most part” because one Hot Rod Power Tour attendee did, in fact, take this precaution, and his ride was still stolen.)

So, while it’s not a completely effective method, it’s still a useful one.

It’s worth mentioning that as burglars watch homes and study work patterns, carjackers keep an eye out as well. So, just like you shouldn’t advertise your vacation on social media before you go away, don’t advertise that you regularly remove your steering wheel. All it takes is one clever, neighborhood thief to take note—and then grab a steering wheel off the shelf of the local parts store. In the case above, it’s likely the thieves used a tow truck or flatbed for the theft.

Install a Kill Switch

Hidden switches—gotta love them. You can install a series of switches to prevent a good many things from happening in your car. By far, the most popular is a battery power kill switch. Designed to cut power from the battery, this switch can safeguard your classic car even if the thief hotwires the vehicle or finds a way to turn the ignition. Nothing will happen because nothing can happen. Even if the engine is turning, no power is supplied to the ignition source when the switch is off. The engine will crank but with no spark, it will never fire.

Keep in mind, there are a couple problems with kill switches. The first, is having to properly wire them into the system. Without the right switch type and inline components, they can cause a world of trouble during regular use. The other problem is that you need to be crafty. Kill switches are very popular and because of this, all it takes is a sharp mind and a moment’s notice to figure out a kill switch is present. Popping the hood of an old car is no tricky matter, so if you have a kill switch right next to the battery all a carjacker needs to do is, well, see it. Switches on the bottom of the dash will also stand out to seasoned thieves.

My advice is to think outside of the box and get creative with the placement. Also, be mindful that your mounting solution may require you to cut into or alter the base vehicle, which might deter you if you own a high-valued ride.

Manual Gearbox

Consider this one more like anti-theft tip myth-busting. Many people suggest that a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission is less likely to be stolen. And while I don’t pretend to know everything, I can say I agree—but only to an extent.

For the common thief seeking a crime of opportunity, yes, a manual transmission is likely to work as a deterrent. Simply put, many people don’t know how to drive manuals here in the States. Therefore, random selection is reduced. However, someone who’s targeting your vehicle and waiting for the perfect moment is likely someone who has some experience in the field. Learning how to drive a stick is probably a task they’ve mastered.

So, should you be driving a stick? Well, in my opinion, yes—for a variety of reasons. But would I call it the end-all-be-all solution to warding off car thieves? No.

Install an Alarm

Honestly, someone who is going to steal a classic car is likely someone who knows a thing or two and can therefore work around a thing or two. That’s why you should consider installing an alarm—a really loud one.

That’s right. You can install a car alarm on a classic car.

One of the best options I’ve come across is the CarPro-Tec®. Why? Well, first and foremost, you don’t need to wire it into the car—which I know is something all of you classic car owners already love. It’s a small device that fits in the palm of your hand, making it easy to store under the seat or in a glovebox. It’s also portable, which means you can take it from car to car.

The unit does work independently of the vehicle’s power system, so you’ll need to charge it. But you can do so by plugging it into the cigarette lighter. (You’ll get about 14 days of use per charge.) The CarPro-Tec® also offers an optional LED signal light, if owners want visual proof that the system is armed and working. And the plug-and-play siren promises an ear-shattering alarm, strong enough to scare any carjacker out of the vehicle.

The best feature, though?

This device has built-in GPS that will help you locate your vehicle. Simply link it up to the convenient mobile app and you can tap into instant, on-demand tracking info—free of charge. That means, even if a carjackers bypasses your other precautions by say, showing up with a flat bed and literally towing your classic car away, you still have a way of tracking them down.

Don’t get ambushed by a stolen vehicle on vacation, at home, or even on the Hot Rod Power Tour. Be smart about where you park, don’t keep valuables in clear view, and use these anti-theft tips to safeguard your classic car!