datsun-roadsters
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Re: theft prevention

To: Fred_Katz@ci.sf.ca.us
Subject: Re: theft prevention
From: Gary McCormick <svgkm@halley.ca.essd.northgrum.com>
Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 15:08:08 -0700
I might have brought this up in the past on a similar thread, but back when I 
could
actually drive my '70 ("Sherman, set the Wayback Machine for 1988..."), I 
carried a
lightweight cotton car cover in the car with me at all times. If I was out and 
about and
was going to be out of sight of the car for more than 5 minutes, I would toss 
the cover
over it. Keeps the hot sun (and bird crap) off of the interior and shields the 
car from
prying eyes. Thieves don't want to be conspicuous, and raising a car cover to 
get a peek
at what's underneath attracts attention.

The lightweight covers are easy to get on and off and stow very nicely on the 
package
shelf, even with the convertible top folded away back there.

Gary McCormick
San José, CA
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fred_Katz@ci.sf.ca.us wrote:

> I have one of those "special" ignition switches on my '70 1600. You can
> crank forever but it won't "catch" until you let go. A lot cheaper than a
> Doberman. I'm willing to swap it for a regular switch and a Doberman!
>
> Several anti-theft principles to think about:
>
> 1) Park safe. Visit your car often or park where you can keep an eye on it. 
>Then
> you don't need to worry about other measures. Also comes under the heading
> "don't own and use more than you can afford to lose". Otherwise...
>
> 2) The value of return to the thief dictates the effort of stealing it. Ugly 
>is
> safer. My '70 daily driver never gets bothered, (especially when it was all
> primer color). Not that it's ugly, it's just not a show winner. No mags, no
> stereo, nothing of value to steal.  However, beauty is in the eye of the
> beholder and all a thief might want is a joy ride in a unique car. So...
>
> 3) Advertise that you've got anti-theft measures so a thief won't bother with
> it. A Doberman is intimidating. A Club is noticeable, although it won't stop a
> thief. A blinky alarm light helps to intimidate. Another thing that might help
> is to make the car truly stand out to the law enforcement people, like purple
> paint and white stripes (yeah, like Ken's DATSTER).
>
> 4) Make it a pain in the butt for a thief so he gets frustrated and gives up.
> This stops the amateur thief but they may cause some damage first, so use this
> with #3 advertising! My '66 has an ignition kill switch (visible) and a power
> kill switch (hidden), but I back it up with a (useless) Club. A fuel line 
>cutoff
> valve is something no one looks for.
>
>
> Fred
>
> _______________________ Reply Separator ___________________________
> > Subject: Re: theft prevention
> > Author:  andycost@att.net
> > Date:    5/23/2000 1:15 PM
> >
> > I just drive a car that is so beat up and rusty
> > that nobody would steal it for fear of tetnus.
> > Mine has a "factory" ignition kill already
> > installed also. Sometimes it just won't crank.
>      >
> > Nomad Trash
> >> The latest sad story about roadster theft got me thinking about some
> > simple > precautions. What's better: a starter interrupt system or an
> > ignition
> >> cut-out system? JC Whitney sells both. Or would The Club be better? Or
> > maybe > an angry Doberman?  Any advice?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Jim
> >> 70 1600
> >> Berkeley
> >>
>


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