Classic car security (XK120)

[Thornsdale]

I have just bought an XK120.

Does anyone have any tips as to how secure it when left in a public place / car park?

[p-B]

By co-incidence I was talking with the police crime prevention officer today, as I'm similarly concerned about my own (much less valuable, but also less rare/traceable) classic. I was specifically asking about tracking devices with GPS locators. As I understand it these fall into two groups ; the first are those that are monitored by a security company, and the other is notification to a telephone number(s) given. The device - about the size of matchbox is hidden in your car, but not under a steel panel - so that it can track satellites. Under a wooden dash panel, under a seat or trim are suitable. Two wires power and earth it. NB. If you can't get a signal on your Tom-Tom then it's just as likely that you won't get a signal on the security tracking device. Personally I'm thinking that an easily hidden small gel-type motorcycle battery might be an idea, so that when the car's battery is disconnected - then the tracking device is still active.

Tracker.co.uk offer the monitored service, and the police monitor it. Of course the company charge something for their 24/7 service. The notification type has a simm card in it (..you provide it) from which it can send a text to your own &/or someone else's mobile phone - to advise the car is moving and its latitude / longitude position. Many mobile phone operators are now being asked for a second or third simm card to be added to customer's mobile phone account, exactly for this purpose. A company which supply the notification type may be found here on the JEC website.

The policeman suggested that thieves are now very aware of these and if the car is taken - then often it's moved not too distant, to somewhere like a railways station or car-park for 24 hours - to see if the authorities are tracking it. The thief will most likely not know if the tracking device is being monitored or of the notification type - so it's a useful deterrent.

He also suggested that if the car is driven straight into a container or metal roofed shed, into a multi-storey car-park, or under a railway arch then the signal is usually lost. If you're on hand soon after, then multi-storey car-parks are of course somewhere that you might easily check yourself. p.s. I've just been reading through http://www.Tracker.co.uk and they say that they use GPS and VHS technology to prevent blocking by structures, quote : "Patented VHF technology that can track stolen vehicles even when they are concealed in containers, lock-ups or underground car parks"

With the monitored type the Police officer did warn that if your service fee lapses even for a short time the monitoring company will not help if your car is stolen. I sorta got the impression that these companies are about as sympathetic as insurance companies might be the day after your policy runs out !

In addition, he was suggesting I look at 'data tagging'. You might want to look these up on the internet search.

He also advised something more secure than the average garage door for when at home, mentioning 'ground anchor' or something similar to better secure and so prevent theft from your own garage - perhaps when you are at work, gone shopping in 'the other' car, or on holiday. He added that a household alarm can often be extended to cover a detached garage too.

We talked briefly about the old fashioned devices like crook-lock and again he says that these are again becoming popular and are a useful deterrent to the opportunist.

My own car has a battery isolator on the firewall next to the battery, but I'll also be fitting a secret immobiliser (key fob operated) to disable the ignition &/or fuel pumps.. He tells me that modern car alarms are pretty good and much more reliable than the old type which frequently went off in the middle of the night or in any breeze.

I know that some folk do not lock the doors of their open-top cars, because the cost of a mohair hood or nice bodywork being damaged is more costly than anything they might possibly leave in the car. Naturally, that leads us to being careful not to tempt the opportunist by leaving a case, a camera, sunglasses, leather jacket, branded clothing, or even documents within view. In my own classic ; the radio on view is a period piece, and the decent one (an Alpine system) is in the glove box - out of site.

Of course out of site is not necessarily out of mind but it does tone down an otherwise tantalising classic car. So I've often seen cars under a car cover in car parks. It's not nearly so convenient, but as well as keeping the dust off - it may deter a thief from drawing attention to himself ..by the grand unveiling of a classic !

With my classic motorcycles I prefer to park in the most open place, under the brightest lamp, and if you can see one - nearby a street camera. ...It helps prevent tampering. And if you're paying your money to a person to park, then befriend him / her and ask he/she to keep an eye open for your car. Likewise if you frequently park in front of an office's reception, a local shop or whatever - then you can do the same.. give them your card with a picture of your car on it, and give a friendly smile every time you park there. Your face will become familiar and anyone else hanging around would be suspicious.

Hope that's given you some ideas.

Pete.

[stuarthardy]

I have Tracker fitted to my 911 and its great although, fortunately, I've not had cause to call on their services.

You can take out a life subscription (for as long as you own the car) and then after that you pay to have it serviced (battery replaced) every 5 years. You really don't know its there, it just does its job without any kind of intrusion into the operation of the car.

You need to be mindful of some things. Like telling your garage about it in case they move the car without the ignition on and, of course, telling your insurance company so you can get that hefty discount from your premium.

There will definitely be one going on the E-Type in due course.

Regards

[p-B]

Thanks Stuart,

I note that the 'TRACKER Retrieve' is a dormant system - only activated when TRACKER are notified that the vehicle is stolen. The advantage being that the device is not connected to the vehicle's wiring or battery. Therefore the battery can be isolated or removed during periods of being laid up. And because there's no discharge from the car's battery - there's also no need to keep it plugged into a trickle charger to keep it topped up. You'll also not need to let the garage staff know before they move it. Otherwise, it appears to have the main features as their constantly monitored systems. This system presently costs £249 inc 1 years subscription + £199 for a further 4 years.

This seems a better bet for my classic ...except that I would like more extensive European cover for when touring. Unless one buys the full European coverage then Germany, Portugal, Scandinavia, nor most the more eastern European countries are covered.. ie., just a half a day's drive from the channel crossing !

Their 'TRACKER Locate' system adds GSM (mobile phone ?) technology and so offers full European coverage. But as it's constantly monitored.., and so active - we're back to having it plugged into and slowly draining the car's starter battery. Presently that's £312 + £174 for one year's subscription or £399 for three years.

My enquiry through Footman James Insurance was that they don't give discounts for anti-theft or recovery devices. - That seemed strange to me but it's what I was told.

Peter

[oldtimer]

Just to add my peneth and an aside from security. To protect the Battery, fitted in the car or not, a Battery mini intelligent charger will assist in Battery longevity.

Batteries left idle start to sulphate reducing it's life. Leaving a Battery sitting on a concrete floor is the kiss of death

Oldtimer

[p-B]

Hi Oldtimer, I can't disagree with you ...point taken.

However there's a noticeable difference between having a battery trickle discharging and one which is isolated, especially if that battery is a gel type which holds its charge for so much longer than the lead-acid types.

I have an Accumate 6/12 which I periodically swap from one motorcycle battery to the next (on the back bench) and although I have used battery chargers on cars parked outside - I find running the leads out into the wet a pain in the...

I'm expecting to get an s-type ('66) next week, and will be parking that in a portable garage alongside my detached garage / workshop. Certainly, I can run an extension lead from one to another, and buy a second charger, and then run the wires to the car - but it's not terribly convenient.

Peter

[NATONEIL]

Do not forget, give the battery a vigorous discharge every now and then, the load from any security system is not enough.
I find that 2 to 3 hours with the headlights on until they just start to dim works well and this is followed with a charge. I do not have a high tech charger I just aim to get the battery gassing for 2 to 3 hours.

[vernon]

Hi.
The best way to keep batteries in good health Is to use them in the car, go for a drive, that's what I do.
As long as it's not raining! my 120 is a roadster.

For security when parked in public I use a steering wheel boot.
That is a steel disc that fits over the steering wheel with a long lever attached so you can't turn it or the steering wheel.
You can get one that clamps the gear lever in place as well.
They are thatcham approved and take at least 14 minutes to break into.
Also a very visible deterent and I have an immobiliser.

[vernon]

Hi, disklok is the name of the firm,
Have attached two pix

[p-B]

I've heard about these but never known anyone who uses one.

Are they reasonably convenient ? it strikes me that they would both be heavy and quite bulky within the tight confines of a classic car interior. ?

Peter

[vernon]

I've been using one for the last 5 years, it doesn't take long to fit or remove and fits behind the drivers seat when not in use.
It hasn't scratched my wooden steering wheel, so it works for me.

[p-B]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check 'em out for my own cars

Peter

[stuarthardy]

My system is the Tracker Monitor and it does not appear to affect the battery on the car at all. It has its own battery although I don't know whether it recharges itself from the vehicle's battery when required. Battery is replaced every 5 years, I've had mine done.

http://www.tracker.co.uk/products/tracker-monitor/

A good alternative is to buy a GPS tracking device such as those sold by Loc8tor. They're really good and you have choices as to how you keep them charged. You can monitor their location and travelling speed at any time via your computer or smart phone and control them by text message. They can be made to report their position every 10 seconds if you want. They're about the size of a matchbox and can be easily hidden inside a car.

Steering wheel locks are a useful deterrent to the 'casual' thief but if they want your car and its worth enough they'll just lift it up onto a low loader and that's it gone! It happens a lot where valuable cars are concerned as they're often stolen to order.

Regards

[Thornsdale]

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this debate. That's given me plenty to think about!