Hi,

Gwen the 74 is about to make the step up to being my 'daily' driver (though I don't drive every day). That means she'll be left in more shopping centre and other public car parks, and my nature is to be paranoid.

Whilst I know I'm never going to be able to prevent someone who actually wants to steal her for what she is, I am interested in discouraging the idiots, joy riders, vandals etc who might see her as an easy target.

To that end I was thinking of:
* A simple car alarm with immobiliser (e.g. mongoose or similar to this http://mongoose.com.au/products/vehicle-security/60-series/6/m60b-s-detail.html )
* A starter cut off switch, hidden somewhere beneath the dash, just to render the key or hotwiring useless.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

Cheers
Craig

Removing the rotor button worked well for me.And if by chance the thieves had one you would only have to look a couple of telephone poles from where it was parked and my bug would be wrapped around it! But seriously like you have said ignition kill switch etc.Removing the main fuse? Plenty of options but if you get an alarm make sure the wiring job is at least the standard of the orignal wiring.Ive seen real nice old cars ruined with a piss poor alarm install.My mate hasn't driven his 280SL merc for two years due to this kind of thing.Or club Rego and a shit box?

Ignition kill switch is cheap and easy. If you go to the nationals come and see me. (I'll be in the swap meet area)

battery immobiliser key-switch
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/QUALITY-1000AMP-BATTERY-KEY-ISOLATOR-TERMINAL-CUT-...

central locking solenoids activating deadbolts mounted in "B" pillar through to door frame
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Auto-Locking-System-2-Wire-Single-Gun-Type-Cen...

really simple alarm activated by door switch (no false alarms) on doors/boot/bonnet
Use a 116dB "tweety" siren.
Hunt through plans for assembly from Electronics Australia, my last one cost me $100 in parts.

Beetles have flat side galss, which means you can fit 3M security film (the so-called bullet-proof stuff), then you can't even smash a window to get in (who smashes the windscreen and rear glass for entry?).

If they get past all that, leave a note in the glovebox to ring for your spare key, they obviously want it much more than you do!

Insure it for a value that you agree you can replace it for. That is the best security in my opinion as you if someone wants to steal it they will.

starter cutout on a manual car is a not really a solution, are you running an electric fuel pump? a hidden switch works well especially if you turn the fuel pump of so that the carbs are almost empty as you park

I still use the old club lock....

Thanks for the suggestions.

Funnily enough, I also still use the Club lock. I figure the more I can do to delay an idiot, the more likely I am to win. Let them give up.

For the thieves that decide they really want to take it away from me, yes I have it fully insured, but I know its market value is less than the investment(???) I've made.

Fuel cutoff solenoid works well. The solenoid can be well hidden, and so can the switch. If they hotwire it, they will get just the fuel in the carby bowl, and then no more.