Anti-theft

[PGFISHER]

Just found an ad for the most stupid anti-thieft device ever invented. It's a set of decals that look like chipped paint and rust streaks. The idea is to put them on your vehicle to make it look rusted out and too ratty to steal. I bet this is going to be a big hit with the Cadillac and Mercedes crowd.

On second thought; maybe I'll get some and put then on my outboard!

 

[avenger79]

Re: Anti-thieft

Re: Anti-thieft

actually seen an article about folks in NYC who do just this to their motorcycles. essentially make them look like crap but the innards are all new. keeps them from being stolen. they claimed it worked quite well.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Anti-thieft

Re: Anti-thieft

Ya. When I was ski racing for K2 back long ago, we painted our test skis horrible colors to keep them from getting grabbed or showing the next year's graphics. Just like car manufacturers camoflaging test cars. No one ever wanted to steal the pink and green "Lepudski Specials"

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Anti-thieft

Re: Anti-thieft

Several years ago I picked up an old $250 Buick to use as a beater to get back and forth to work. When I went to get insurance my agent was asking the questions on the form to add it to my "fleet." When he asked if it had any anti-theft devices I answered with a straight face "Yes, the paint job" We both had a good laugh about that.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Anti-thieft

Re: Anti-thieft

I seriously doubt this would work since most vehicles aren't stolen because they are nice. They are stolen to be broken down and parted out. That's why the list of 10 Most Stolen Cars doesn't include any Mercedes or BMW's. There are a lot more Honda Civics out there in need of parts.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434545

Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles as reported by the NICB ? the number in parentheses is the model year most stolen:

Honda Civic (1995)
Honda Accord (1991)
Toyota Camry (1989)
Ford F-150 (1997)
Chevrolet C/K 1500 (1994)
Acura Integra (1994)
Dodge Ram Pickup (2004)
Nissan Sentra (1994)
Toyota Pickup (1988)
Toyota Corolla (2007)

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Anti-thieft

Re: Anti-thieft

I seriously doubt this would work since most vehicles aren't stolen because they are nice. They are stolen to be broken down and parted out. That's why the list of 10 Most Stolen Cars doesn't include any Mercedes or BMW's. There are a lot more Honda Civics out there in need of parts.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434545

Plus BMWs are nearly impossible to steal without a trailer, I'm sure Mercs are similar. You can't even buy a non-dealer supplied spare key, have it cut, and start a later-model BMW, just won't happen. $40 spare keys are plentiful on ebay, but they'll never start the car without being coded to the EWS module. Very unlikely to find a locksmith with the capability to even cut a BMW key.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Anti-theft

Its funny you brought this subject up. When I got my 2hp mariner and started looking for information on it I found many people looking for used beat up cowling from the UK. Just for the same reason, as an anti theft measure.