No offence Anto, but it IS a VL. They take about 2 seconds to break into. if the locks havent been replaced, nearly any key from a HQ holden up to the VL will open the door, and possibly even start it.

VL's are widely known to be easy to get into, and are one of the more popular holdens, hence they get flogged heaps.

I still remember the time I locked the keys in my old HQ. My GF's house key opened the damn thing straight up. That's when I found SOLEX
And the press button I had hidden in the ignition line which had to be depressed at the same time as the key was turned. Cant hid it in my favourite spot on a Mini though

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"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."

Or we can all just do wat Mr Bean does .... packs his steering wheel in his lunch box

padlocks the car, keep teddy on watch on the passenger seat,

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Inconspicuously Conspicuous
Appreciation without Depreciation
forever chasing clearer skies...

Lol, I loved the one where he padlocked the hasp and staple. Just as he was walking away he threw the keys in the back window. LMFAO

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"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."

Well actually the Commodore doesn't have any locks at all (not even tailgate). We welded them over and resprayed it. Everything is operated by remote, all doors, boot and bonnet are alarmed, triple point immobilisor, two stage shock sensor and a two stage microwave sensor. Didn't bother with a glass break sensor as the glass is tinted, thus is easy to smash silently.

I'd like to see somebody open it with their HQ Kingswood key.

Anto.

I used to have a Gemini which had a drivers door lock so stuffed that anything flat would open it.

I would hide the car keys and my wallet under the carpet when I went to the beach.

On the way back to the car I would pick up a paddle pop stick (always plenty on the ground at the beach in summer) and use that to open the door!

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

We've got that problem with my parents Mazda 121 crap-mobile. Can open it with a 5 cent piece! Hence that has an alarm now also!

dont think alarm is much of a use....cause once they break into your car, they can easily reach under the steerin wheel - to where the wires are n unplugg the chip in like within seconds!...

and its true abt how people react to alarms these day....dont we hear an alarm go off every now n then - who actually runs out or stop whatever they;re doin n actually go out n take a look at whose car is beepin...

i would go for an engine immboliser - any idea what brand or where abts i can get one done for cheaply?..

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98 brg rover

I find the biggest security in this case is that it is a 1988 Mazda 121, the very rare Shades model. Number one on the list of cars to thieve When they break in they get a complementary dancing elvis on the dashboard. It's no wonder I choose to drive my Mini!

Only problem with an engine immobiliser is that ya can get straight under the bonnet of a mini, and bypass it in a matter of moments.

Taking your Coil Lead or the rotor button off is more effective

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"He's always been a dickhead, He always is a dickhead, He will always be a dickhead. So stop complaining when he acts like one."

That's why you have cutouts on your ignition and your electric fuel pump (if you have one). That way if they manage to bypass the ignition they get 100 yards, the float bowl is empty and the car conks out. Just hope it does not conk out mid-intersection!

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

I find it startling that the bonnet is so easily opened on clubmans. Its just that metal catch needs sliding over and ure in.
Is there anything to add more security to the most vunerable part of it to getting it started?

Round-nose have the same issues - easy to open bonnets.

Find a Mini SS if you can and remove the cable release from that. I think it was the only Oz Clubman with an internal release.

Kits are available to convert a roundnose to internal release. You can then rivet a plate or similar on to fill the hole in the grille.

In the UK you could buy kits to lock roundnose bonnet catches - like a covre that fits over the existing lock. But they seem to be rare in Oz. The only one I have seen on eBay went for silly money.

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Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

Trick I learned from an old mate years ago-
Turn the whole lock around so it's the other way. Mini people won't be able to open it..

I bought a Minimatic a while back that this guy once owned. I couldn't open the damned bonnet! 4 hours later I realised `why'...

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

How do u mean Doc? So you have to push on it the other way? Im confused