Vehicle security/Alarms/GPS tracking

[Seachange01]

Hi everyone,
My apologies if I am starting a thread up that has already been dealt with, I did some searches but couldn't find the answer I was looking for.

I've never had a classic car before, and so the risk of theft is something I feel is a LOT higher in less technologically advanced vehicles than cars of today.
My question is, Can anyone recommend, or is there even a general consensus on what a good security system is food a classic car?
I like lojac in that Police here in California are all over it once it registers in their cars on the lojac locater... BUT... my understanding is that you have to "know" your car is gone, tell lojac, and then have them activate it so it emits the signal for police.

I am looking for an alarm system that tells me if my vehicle is moved even a few feet, then tracks and follows it sending signals to my phone. The ability to slow it down or shut it down would be awesome, but the main thing I want it to be alerted when it moves and then to be able to track it while I am on the phone to police.

Can anyone recommend what they feel is the best value system that would do what I am looking for?

My car = 74 Eldorado Convertible
Thanks,
Alan B.

[TJ Hopland]

Interesting question.  I will be curious to see if there is such a product and what it costs to buy and use. 

My theory is that the average car thief these days doesn't know how to steal a classic car or know what to do with it once they had it and I would think they would not want to drive it around very long because in most cases they kinda stand out.   That makes it more of a specialty industry and the 'specialists' probably have the skills and a system in place to deal with any security you may throw at em.     

[30326]

My thought was also according to TJ Hoplands. A modern car thief need electronic devices to steal a car. Preferably a key scanner or similar. A modern car will blend in, but a classic car will always stand out. And unless the thief specialize in selling classic car parts its gonna be a waste of time. I also suggest you refrain from locking your doors when parking, as the cost of replacing the convertible top will be high when they break in and try to steal the car. Better let them get in, without cutting the roof, and find out that they don't know how to steal it. 

My Rolls is very difficult to steal as it has the battery main switch in the trunk. And the car won't move unless the power is on, as the automatic gear box switch is electric. Not many thieves will know where to find that main switch in the trunk even if they knew it was one.
I am also fitting a hidden switch in my Cadillac so the car can't be started even if they remove the harness from the ignition key.

However I do agree with you Alan B. that it would feel better to have some kind of warning device. I believe you can search in shops that sells boat motors. There will be some systems that most likely can be fitted in your Cadillac and work the same way as protecting outboard boat motors.

[TJ Hopland]

I never thought about outboards.   I suppose those are still crazy expensive for their physical size so are a good target.

[D.Smith]

1974?     Easy.  Just look under the drivers seat and reconnect the seat belt plug for the Starter-Interlock system.    The car won't start unless the seatbelt is buckled.   No car thief will ever think to do that.    LOL.

[chrisntam]

Can't really answer your question, but one of the guys here or some other classic car forum suggested that if I was worried about the car getting stole, that I didn't have enough insurance on it.

He was prolly right, but I don't really want my car stolen and I don't want a replacement car.

So for now, I keep my eye on it when I'm out with it.

I think the lojack is a subscription svc, monthly/yearly, I don't know.  I would rather put that extra yearly amount into add'l insurance, I guess.

[WTL]

To me, this is more concerning than having a thief hotwire your car. 

http://www.live5news.com/story/25664897/police-thieves-using-tow-truck-companies-to-steal-cars

I normally park the cadillac between a mercedes, which has the rolling electronic key, and my truck, which is just big.  Pull close enough together, and its too much trouble for a redneck with a flatbed. Its all about dissuading the attempt.  Also cameras at the house...boy are they worth something.   A member of my family had an attempted arson of his home solved due to the camera set from Costco, would have had no idea where to begin otherwise.

[Seachange01]

Can't really answer your question, but one of the guys here or some other classic car forum suggested that if I was worried about the car getting stole, that I didn't have enough insurance on it.

He was prolly right, but I don't really want my car stolen and I don't want a replacement car.

So for now, I keep my eye on it when I'm out with it.

I think the lojack is a subscription svc, monthly/yearly, I don't know.  I would rather put that extra yearly amount into add'l insurance, I guess.

Hey
I have pretty good insurance on it, my issue is, its not like I can just go to a local dealer and pick up another. The older and more rare a car becomes, the harder it is to replace with all the options or specs you want. I had never seen the color I have on a convertible before mine, now I have seen a few online, but none for sale... So, I really don't want to lose the one I have.

I don't plan driving it and leaving it "out of sight" too often, like a local shopping mall etc. But, even a beach cruise driving day with a café lunch stop could see me having to park around a corner for 45 mins or more.. I just have flashbacks ok "Gone in 60 seconds"