what i know when i used to work in insurance,
was that for old cars (carby ones) what was required
(if they felt necessary)) was a two point
self arming immobiliser with no valet mode (it cant be
switched off) some brands include
black widow
brant
rhino

in terms of theft, i woke up the other night to the noise
of the family dunnydore (commodore VT) turning over and
over, looked out my window and see a young lad
get out shut the door and walk away, the immobiliser
stopped our car from going walk abouts, and i am just glad
Vivian fits through the back gate.......
.....the problem is Minis attract alot of attention these
days, esp hot looking clubbies (read Vivian and Big Wills car)
so i would think that putting a immmobiliser on would not be a
bad idea, but if in doubt, my rotor button always come out!!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 17149&rd=1

would anyone trust something like that..??

I like the way they've kindly included a wiring diagram on the net for you to break in and de-activate!

I think the way to go these days is the new systems that let you control your car from a computer or phone, eg if the car is stolen, you can cut the engine power by ringing it.

A good solution I saw on TV was to get a length of vacuum hose and connect the exhaust to the car interior. If the car is started, the thief will be asleep before too long.
Or you could potato your own exhaust to make starting harder.

Something else I've seen is a gas tank fitted in the car, if it is broken into and or started, whatever, the gas/heavy smoke fills the car and makes it impossible to see out for about 10 minutes.

The best thing you can do sometimes is to leave the car unlocked. I know a guy at shool who has been waiting to have his car pinched so he can get his insurance money, but despite leaving the car unlocked everyday, it never been "broken" into.

Three favourite anti theft ideas

I've seen a Mini with a discrete kill switch, where the ignition via a cigarette lighter. Old trick apparently, but take the cigarette lighter out and no power to the column to start. Young would-be theives may not think anything of a missing cigarette lighter and give up. Just pocket the cigarette lighter when not in the car. Do advise passengers not to attempt to smoke in car though, especially while in motion!

My other favourite I saw is the 70's GT Cortina with a (factory standard) metal bracket that swung from the firewall to firmly lock the gear stick in 1st with padlock.

Lastly, the those harmless but ammusing stickers like..."This fuel tank is wired to explode in event of theft" etc.

_________________

Yeah that was where I gave up reading. LOL by the way to the rest of your post.

The secret kill switch in the cigarette lighter is a great idea.

I've seen a roundnose Mini where the factory (single speed) wiper switch had been replaced with a two position headlight switch. First position switches on the ignition, second position switches on the wipers. Totally invisible!

My van has a three point immobiliser - starter, fuel pump and ignition. It self-arms after 40secs and all the wiring is black, so it is difficult to bypass. It has an alarm also, but the alarm only arms if you use the remote - it does not self arm.

Someday I will get around to fitting cental locking too...

_________________
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

And when you've got your kid, who just LOVES to play with the switches, sitting in the front with you you're pretty buggered