Introduction
Special interest cars, whether they are American, foreign, classic, custom, hot rod, antique, muscle, hi-performance, or of any other special interest type, can carry a significant value. And if they are museum quality treasures, that worth can soar dramatically in terms of actual, and intrinsic value, not to mention ownership esteem. These cars offer a vision of beauty, grace, and engineering exception. And the sounds of their engines while at idle, or roaring under power, are unique. That is why the effort is made to perpetuate these exceptional cars.
With time, there are fewer of many of these beautiful machines available, and the emotion, effort, and investment on the part of the owner to acquire, restore, and maintain one can be substantial. Likewise, the loss of that investment can be a significant, and irreplaceable negative event.
Part of this ownership responsibility should include the need to be aware of, and
properly manage the risks that are associated with these beautiful cars. That is how
we can best assure that this unique heritage is properly protected, appreciated, and
continues into the future. Secondly, while the law enforcement authorities may take
an interest in your loss problem, with their other priorities, their response may not
be totally satisfying. Your best option is to keep these problems from occurring in
the first place. The objective of this article is to provide information that may assist
the special interest car owner in the area of improved self-protection.
I. Fire
Fire is normally accidental in nature, and as such, it is predictable, and can
be prevented to a high degree. If the fire was an accident, there was no intent. If
there was intent, the act becomes arson. It is important to maintain a reasonable fire
prevention and detection program in proximity of these valuable cars in the event
there is a fire. Following a fire there is likely to be a close investigation of the
circumstances. For a variety of important reasons, to include the payment of
insurance claims, the owner should be able to establish that the car was reasonably
protected against the risk of fire.
Check the vehicle's electrical system over carefully.
Always repair or replace damaged, aged, and exposed wiring, and other electrical
components.
Like it on not, many older cars have different
electrical components, and even positive ground systems. Many specialty car fires
originate in the electrical systems. Watch for systems that have been converted
improperly, or are dangerously jury-rigged. Check out the instruments.
Install a master power switch on the car, between the
storage battery and the wiring system. Then keep it switched "Off" when the
vehicle is not to be used for extended periods, or when it is being worked on.
Pay attention to good housekeeping practices
regarding chemicals, fluids, oily rags, exposed fuel, fumes, general trash, etcetera.
Fuel is necessary to support a fire: therefore, eliminate, or closely manage all
combustible materials.
Eliminate, or closely manage all fire ignition sources.
Be very careful of any open flames, smoking activities, faulty building wiring,
heating units, etcetera.
Position ABC-type fire extinguishes around the
garage as these are effective against normal combustible, oil, and electrical fires.
Then assure that they are properly maintained, and the people who can be expected
to be present know how to use them.
Always carry an ABC-type extinguisher in the car.
Preferably it should be kept out-of-sight and not within the engine compartment, as
this is where the threat of fire is the highest.
In higher risk, or high asset environments,
consideration should also be given to the installation of an automatic fire detection,
and suppression system.
II. Theft
While fire is normally an accidental event, theft is an intentional human act
which requires motivation on the part of the criminal, the means to accomplish, an
opportunity to act, and the assurance of escape, or to remain undetected. To counter
the act of theft, these variables must be controlled, eliminated, or
reversed.
The traditional car thief is motivated by the prospect of a ride home, a
joyride, or perhaps to use the car during the commission of a crime. When the
casual thief needs a car, and the motivation and opportunity is there, he will steal
any car, classic, specialty, or modern. To him, your very valuable car will be no
different from a stock 1985 Chevrolet. He could care less about the investment you
have in your beautiful car. He has no discipline or values, and he may be a
substance abuser, a car jacker, an armed robber, and very potentially, a killer. To
him a car is a car. He will totally destroy the car he steals, likely in resentment. It
will probably be found wrecked, or burned. This person also represents danger. To
assure the safety of you and your family, as well as the integrity of your specialty
car, you simply do not draw his attention by presenting him with the
opportunity he is seeking.
The professional thief is motivated by financial gain. His cars are usually
stolen on order, and may be sold whole, or parted-out. Why, and when this thief
steals, is defined by the economics of the market that he serves, and the degree of
opportunity that you provide him with.
Classic, antique, and foreign cars can be stolen for parts, and although this
is a possible motive, it is not probable. For parts to have a value, there must be a
market. However, the parts of these cars are unique, very identifiable, and there are
too few of anyone kind to support a market for stolen parts, unless the thief also
happens to own one of the same kind. However, the American made specialty cars
most certainly can be stolen with parts, and parting-out, as the objective.
Stolen cars are often a matter of supply, demand, and economics. Classics
are no longer being produced. Some are irreplaceable antiques. The hot rods, and
muscle cars represent the best of America, and they are prime targets. They all can
appreciate in value. Many people want, or would like to own one. As a result, they
can be very much in demand. Those that are luxury sports cars, are reported by the
Highway Loss Data Institute to be two and one-half times as likely to be stolen,
when compared to all other categories of vehicles in the United States.
Like stolen art works, most of these cars could not be sold in the traditional
sense by the average thief on the street. They may have a high value, but that value
is relative, and unique, just as it is with a stolen work of art.
A stolen $ 89,000 1955 XK 140 Jaguar Roadster would be very visible. The
owner would pressure the police, and alert the classic car community. A reward
would be offered. Publicity would be sought. There would be no market for the
parts, and there are only a few specialized shops that trade, and work on such cars.
The thief would be spotted immediately if he attempted to drive, or sell that
beautiful car. Like the art work, it has a value, but only under the right
circumstances.
The true market for many of these specialty cars, like art works, is found in
foreign countries. American port cities represent a high risk environment. However,
any car can be transported in a day or two, to a deep water port from any location
in the United State via an enclosed car hauler truck. In a very quick fashion, this
stolen-on-order 1955 Jaguar would likely be rolled out of the owner's unprotected
garage, loaded into the hauler, and be on its way in a matter of minutes. Upon
arrival, in New Orleans for instance, it would then be placed into a shipping
container which carries the appropriate export papers, loaded as machine parts, and
shipped to a foreign port. With the proper connections, stolen cars can end-up in
South or Central America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, or behind the former
Iron Curtain in Europe. There, and like art works, they are delivered to their new
owner, who pays a premium for the car, and it simply disappears. Larger machine
items, such as earth moving, and construction equipment, have followed this same
path for many years.
First, as a target, the specialty car is visible, and easy to steal. The many
security components that are taken for granted on modern cars did not exist years
ago when today's specialty cars were then state-of-the-art. Important accountability
features such as the vehicle identification number, is easy to alter on older cars.
Many of these cars simply had the VIN stamped into the frame, or attached to a
thin metal strip that can easily be violated. The various vehicle numbers, when
typewriters, and carbon paper were considered high tech, may have been changed.
The paper trail which supports the specialty car, may be in error to begin with.
The casual car thief can usually be deterred by basic security measures.
Deterrence simply means doing certain visible things, which will send the
thief looking elsewhere. This can successfully reposition the liability away from the
vehicle own, to another. The thief is going to steal a car. Your objective is to
convince him to steal someone else's car, and not yours. You can do this by making
your theft prospect more difficult, and take more time, than he is confronted with at
another other car. Thieves, like electricity or water, will normally seek-out the path
of least resistance. The professional car thief can also be deterred, but only on a
system basis where he is confronted by multiple security countermeasures
which assure his discovery, identification, and arrest. Only this will send him
looking elsewhere. Where the casual thief is reckless, the professional will carefully
measure and compare his chances for success, verses failure.
III. Protective Program
Your self-protective objective is to first, lower the degree of opportunity
that is available for the thief to steal the car, and secondly, to increase the odds that
if he does steal your car: he will subsequently, and quickly, be discovered, identified,
arrested, and successfully prosecuted.
1. In Storage
The specialty car will normally find itself in storage the majority of the
time. It will be driven sparingly, and when driven, the nature of the trip is likely to
be a short outing, too perhaps an event of some type. The car will infrequently
spend the night away from its primary place of storage.
Regarding the location where the car is normally stored, develop a "circle of
protection" around the garage, and car itself. A good beginning is found in common
sense, in addition to a variety of security measures. However, security measures are
only effective if they are used on a routine, and coordinated basis.
Avoid storing the car in a secluded location. Develop
a mutual watch agreement with your neighbors. Consider keeping a dog. Limit the
growth of vegetation, or the presence of other things that may block open lines of
vision across the property. And install lighting on the general property.
The storage garage should be resistive in terms of the
general construction, the roof, walls, floor, doors, skylights or other openings,
lighting positioned high up and fit with photoelectric switches or timers, windows,
locks, key control, fencing, warning signs, and in areas which warrant the expense,
possibly an alarm and/or camera surveillance system, or random guard patrol.
While the car is stored in the garage, the master
electrical switch should be set to "Off," the car's doors routinely locked, the keys
removed from the area, transmission left in gear, and the handbrake engaged.
Be careful of automatic garage door openers. When
the car is in a long-term storage mode, it is prudent to both disable the automatic
garage door opener, and to physically lock the overhead door with one or more
traditional key locking devices. If the door can be opened, the car can easily be
rolled out and loaded onto a trailer in only a few minutes. Strive to render it
impossible to roll the car out of the garage.
Any trailer that is left stored in the same area should
be properly secured to eliminate the possibility of the thief using it to tow your own
car away.
Pay close attention to the lower panels of the
overhead doors as they can be easily kicked-in. Back them on the inside with steel
strips. Likewise, dead bolts, hinges, and door mechanisms and locks should be
installed with extra long screws which extend into the framework of the building.
Other mechanical vehicle anti-theft devices can be
installed to include steering wheel, column, or ignition locks.
2. Away From the
Garage
During travel with your specialty car, avoid
repetitious patterns or habits. Do not be predictable in where you routinely stop for
meals, or lodging. Be careful where you park the car while in travel, or at your place
of employment. While you may be protecting the car while it is home in your
garage, the moment you take it out of that protected shell it will become exposed to
a much higher level of risk. Plan ahead, and share your scheduled with someone.
Be observant for anyone who might be following or
keeping you, or the car, under surveillance. If you suspect that you are being
followed, write down a license number, turn your headlights on, blow your horn,
and quickly proceed to a safe haven such as a police or fire station, or a location
such as a convenience store where numbers of people are present.
Car jackings can be deadly serious, and they do
occur. Your specialty car will draw attention. Pay attention and react quickly if
there is cause for concern. Promptly report any such suspicious situation to the
police.
When driving, always keep the doors locked, and
depending upon the environment: the windows up, or nearly up, or be capable of
rolling them up quickly if necessary.
Never pick up a hitch hiker for any reason.
Traffic tie-ups represent an increased opportunity
for both traffic accidents, and for someone to jump into your car with you. Be very
cautious as while tie-ups are usually legitimate, they can also represent an additional
hazard. If in doubt, reverse your direction and take a different route to avoid the
problem location.
If the car is to be taken overnight, assure that it is
left in a well populated, illuminated, visible, and if possible, a secured location or
facility.
Should you tow your car to a show or meet, always
assure that the trailer is locked to the hitch, that the hitch in turn is locked to the
pulling vehicle, and then, that the vehicle itself is properly secured. Anything less
could cost you your car, trailer, and towing vehicle.
If the car is to be moved via truck transport, lent to
an exhibition, or left for service or repairs, assure that the company, and personnel
that are involved are reputable, and properly insured to guarantee the value of your
specialty car from theft, fire, and damage.
3. Other Precautions
Develop a documented portfolio on the car
which contains photographs, or a video tape record, an appraisal document, and all
of the records, receipts, title, etcetera that relate to the vehicle.
Depending upon the owner's relationship with the
commercial garage where the car may periodically be worked on: if the relationship
is proven, then perhaps a contract which stipulates the services to be performed, is
not necessary. However, if the relationship is not proven, it is prudent to develop a
document between the owner and mechanic which lists out work that is to be done,
parts that will be involved, an estimate of costs for all parts and labor, anticipate
time frames, etcetera. Quite simply, such documentation can keep problems from
occurring, and if they do, they can be resolved better if there is a preexisting written
record.
Do not keep this file where the car is stored. Keep it
elsewhere, and protect it in fire-resistant container, or bank safe deposit box.
An open advertisement of affluence can invite a
variety of problems. It is prudent to avoid or limit such practices, and to veil the car
itself: out of sight, out of mind. Begin by limiting the view of the car from outside
the garage itself. Then exercise prudence and good judgement in where, and when
you take the car out in public. While local shows, parades, and photo spreads in the
town newspapers can be fun, they can also attract the wrong kind of attention.
Depending upon the nature of your protective needs,
information on the car, and it's movements should be limited. It would not be a
good idea to respond in depth to a telephoned survey inquiry, from a stranger,
which has the car, you, or your family, as the subject.
Works of art are meant to be shown, and shared, and
so are specialty cars. However, with publicity and exposure comes increased risk. Be
selective in how you use your car by perhaps driving it in an anonymous way, and
showing it only to select groups of associates who can be trusted to hold the same
values regarding specialty cars.
IV. Security Technology
Modern technology can be used to enhance many of these security efforts.
It can be used to secure, or to trace cars and parts following a theft, which makes
them less valuable to the thief. However, to be an effective deterrent, these high-tech
security measures must be visible, and known to the prospective thief. Following a
theft, these security measures must then have a proven record of efficiency in an
investigative, and recovery mode.
Windows and other parts of the car can be etched
with identifying information.
Alarm systems can be installed on the storage garage,
or the car itself. When activated, they may sound an audible siren, blow the car's
horn, flash the headlights, turn on building lights, or summon the police. These
systems can be made sensitive to blunt force or vibration, movement, the sound of
breaking glass, any abnormal variance in electrical system voltage, or a shift in the
vehicle's position. To control false alarm problems, systems that automatically shut-
off, reset, and only alarms again if provoked, are recommended. These systems may
also have remote control capability.
To gain deterrent value, any such system should be
made very apparent to the potential thief. Awareness, or warning signs offer this.
Older cars are subject to the traditional, and low-
tech theft method of hot-wiring. For this reason, the entire electrical system, or
select components such as the ignition system, fuel pump, or starter motor, should
be intentionally disabled when the car is left for any period of time. Electrical
components can be deactivated, and reactivated with keys, switches, or remote
electronic devices. These options can often be integrated into the alarm system.
With modern cost-attractive technology, a beacon or
transmitter can be installed in the car. If the car is subsequently stolen, the
transmitter is triggered by remote control. The transmitter then becomes a homing
device which the police can track to the car's location. Other systems may use
satellite positioning systems to locate the vehicle on a wider scale.
A mobile communications device of some type in the
car with you is an excellent idea for a variety of reasons.
VII. Conclusion
For the dedicated restoration person, the driver who just-wants-to-go-fast,
or the investor: the specialty car is a very worthy treasure to have. They represent
quality time in the life of the owner, and to best assure that objective in today's risk
prone world, loss control should become an increased priority in the scheme of
ownership.
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