Alarm System

Hidden fuel pump switch. They'll make it about a block before running out of gas.

> On Jul 22, 2015, at 2:01 PM, SpeedsterOwners.com <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:
>

If these things had glove boxes, I'd keep a small bottle of Crown Royal with some rat poison (or.......Visine since this is a public forum.....) in it.

Let 'em think they got a "gift with purchase".

 

But I think Tom's idea is more legal.

 

(and knowing me, I'd prolly forget and crack it open while waiting for a tow one fine day...)

IMs and both of my Vintage Spyders came with battery cut off switches behind passenger seat.  When key is removed there is no juice to engine.  Also handy for working on car.  Pretty inexpensive.  Preventing someone from gaining access to the interior probably not practical in these cars. 

This is the system I had installed:

 

http://www.viper.com/car/secur...-way-security-system 

 

It comes with two remotes and it notify you up to 1500' away if activated.  It also has a proximity sensor that will activate the alarm if someone reaches inside the car.  That feature is adjustable so I have it set so people can stand around he car to look but if they reach in it goes off.

 

I use my full tonneau a lot so if someone tries to remove the tonneau it goes off as well.  Both doors have sensors as well as one in the hood that will also activate if the car is jacked up. It also disables the starter if activated.

 

It was about $500.00 installed by a local shop, very professionally done.

Like the Viper, there's a CompuStar (different brand name, but both made by the same people - D.E.I.) that has a small screen on the transmitter/FOB.  The screen tells/shows you:

- Whether you armed it or not (I mean, how many times have you walked a block and then said '$hit, did I arm it?')

- If a zone was tripped, which zone it was

- If an intrusion was made, where it was made (which zone)

- Has a paging system (so if the windshield is tapped in a certain spot, your transmitter will notify you that your car is requesting your return)

 

Most of the functions won't be relevant for our cars, but it has ignition kill obviously, and remote start etc.

Roughly the same price (in CDN) installed.  Possibly in the $400-range these days

I had a cool voice-activated alarm on my V8 Miata.  If someone got too close to the car a voice would say, "Step away from the vehicle".

Also, the PO had installed a secret method for starting the car.  To start it I had to, while I turned the ignition key, pull back on the high-low beam/turn signal stalk.

 

I have a strobe light moving red LED on the dash that appears to be a proximity sensor. I turn it on with a switch under the dash. I does not do anything but it is certainly intimidating to a would be asshole. $30. 

Majorkahuna, is that strobe like Kit , thanks for all the suggestions. Ray 

A lot of people say it reminds them of Kitt. I always thought it was my strong resemblance to David Hasselhoff. 

Been here for about 10 years now and don't recall a theft of one of these cars, with the exception of the ones taken from VS several years back.  Probably not of much value at a chop shop compared to newer stuff that is much more available. Anybody here lose one to thieves?

 

I have never worried about theft. Have you seen the video with the car thieves stealing an old ladies Honda. They do not know how to drive a manual transmission. I worry mostly about assholes that like to mess with other peoples stuff. 

I fitted a Toad Sterling Transponder Immobiliser in my VS - took an afternoon, and thoroughly recommended. Good value unit, with interrupts into two separate circuits, and the antenna for the keychain transponder goes behind the ignition lock at the rear of the dashboard. Ideal for our unlockable opentops. - no noise, no false alarms, but no theft.

 

Plus I was able to squeeze the flashing LED up the hole for the windscreen's central support rod, and it sits discreetly but visibly on the centre top of the dashboard.

 

http://www.scorpionauto.com/ho...oducts/STERLINGEXCEL

If you're going to put an alarm in these cars an immobiliser is the way to go.

Ron O. Wrote: "the PO had installed a secret method for starting the car.  To start it I had to, while I turned the ignition key, pull back on the high-low beam/turn signal stalk."

 

THAT.....is friggin brilliant!

 

Easy to wire in (like, a relay and three wires), super-simple to use, invisible.

 

I love it.

 

The perfect alternative to my two Jack Russells - They both bark furiously til you get close, then they go into the Wiggles and try to lick you to death...

If any of you have an MSD or Mallory Hyfire, they have a cool built-in feature. There is a two-wire harness(green and purple wires) terminating in a molex plug. Ground one of the wires and she's a no start....can't remember which wire.

 

I pull a fuse(hidden ignition fuse) or just disconnect the battery cable and take the thumbwheel with me. Should slow them down.

 

I like that hi-beam idea, nice!

 

Most people really won't mess with these cars. For some reason they garner some kind of respect.

 

The dedicated thief will take your car no matter what you do if he wants it bad enough. A flatbed with a winch makes it easy, even if the wheels are turned all the way to one side. I know, I used to impound cars with no keys.

If you have no other means of disabling your car, pull the rotor.

 

Leaves everything looking normal under the engine cover.

If I ever wanted to...

 

I could take the igniter.

 

Or the whole 'puter box.

 

Or disconnect a battery terminal.

 

Or install a fuel cutoff.

 

Or install a fuel/juice cutoff like racers have, with a key...and I might do that just for the "cool" factor. 

 

But, seriously, guys, it's like Danny says: no one really will mess with your car. Now, depending on how you carry it, someone may or may not ever mess with YOU, and your car could conceivably be part of that. But in general public, with no personal motive, like at random? Not likely. 

 

Get all your fire suppression stuff maxed up and drive and park worry-free!

FWIW, I've had 2 Speedsters (both VS) over eighteen years. Both daily drivers, traveled all over the Western U.S. parked in various restaurant & store parking lots and many overnight hotel stays and never had an issue.

 

Alarms in these vehicles are mostly for the owners sense of security, but like Danny says, if someone wanted the car bad enough, its gonna get stolen (disabled vehicle can still get towed).

 

For me, proper insurance gives more piece of mind than an alarm!