OUTWITTING THE THIEF

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20105, 11 May 1935, Page 10

OUTWITTING THE THIEF

As a safeguard against thieves, there are some forms of locking device provided on most cars, but many owners either through indifference or carelessness, fail to take advantage of these. Quite a few owners of sedan cars even neglect to lock the doors, thus making it easy for thieves to get away with the cars or their accessories. In cases where no suitable locking devices are provided measures may be adopted that would either prevent theft or at least delay the thief sufficiently to force his attention elsewhere. Some of these measures, any of which may be adopted, are:— Disconnect the wires to the ignition switch and wire to a hidden tumble switch in the ignition circuit. Arrange the ignition switch to show “on” when the ignition is “off.” In certain cases 'drill a hole through the steering column and place a pin there when the car is left. Remove the high tension wire leading from the coil to the distributor. Remove the rotor arm from the distributor. Have a false terminal on the top of each plug insulated from the body of the plugs and change the wires over from the live to the false terminals when stopped.

Chain the rear wheel to a convenient fixture. Lock the needle of the carburettor. Lock the supply of petrol. Lock a cap over the starter button. Remove the fuse from the switch in certain cars. Connect a secret master switch near the battery to cut out the whole electrical system. Connect an extra high-tension wire to the secret switch and then to earth.