Car thefts and TVR's
Discussion
I'm posting this because I'm worried about how likely it might be for TVR's to be the target of car thiefs, as we had an attempted break in to our garage last week.
I'm wondering what the rate of thefts for classic cars in general is, also TVR's.
This is vey worrying, we are uprating our security s a consequence of this.
My opinion is that something like a TVR isn't easily turned into cash, more like something like a Audi RS or BMW M Series will be more instantly saleable. But I may be wrong.
I'm interested in how many of our TVR's have been the target of thieves, the circumstances, and if they were ever recovered?
I'm wondering what the rate of thefts for classic cars in general is, also TVR's.
This is vey worrying, we are uprating our security s a consequence of this.
My opinion is that something like a TVR isn't easily turned into cash, more like something like a Audi RS or BMW M Series will be more instantly saleable. But I may be wrong.
I'm interested in how many of our TVR's have been the target of thieves, the circumstances, and if they were ever recovered?
In all likelihood if it was stolen, they'd have some fun it it, and then torch it....
Obviously improving security is a good idea. Can you park a big car in front of the garage to block it?
Is there anything simple that can be done to prevent the car being taken in the first place, for example, removing a fuse of some sort?
Obviously improving security is a good idea. Can you park a big car in front of the garage to block it?
Is there anything simple that can be done to prevent the car being taken in the first place, for example, removing a fuse of some sort?
Subtle cut off switch somewhere tucked away.
Historically very few Tvr seem to have been stolen.
To easy to recognise and the parts are not worth much and a small community who would recognise someone selling an engine etc who doesn’t have the rest of the car would raise alarms.
Joy riders defo but that’s not serious thieves just d
heads who will torch them to remove evidence.
Security in an ever more difficult world for some to succeed is going to be important going forward for sure.
Historically very few Tvr seem to have been stolen.
To easy to recognise and the parts are not worth much and a small community who would recognise someone selling an engine etc who doesn’t have the rest of the car would raise alarms.
Joy riders defo but that’s not serious thieves just d
heads who will torch them to remove evidence. Security in an ever more difficult world for some to succeed is going to be important going forward for sure.
perhaps the garage door deserves focus also. I have up and overs and despite having top and side locks as part of the standard fitment, I still added two heavy key operated bolts at the bottom into the concrete floor and two more on the sides. It takes less than a minute to lock or unlock and my theory being, that you need to get all those locks dealt with to get the door out of the way and the car out. I also have a house alarm bell and two sensors in there with the keypad indoors. The way I figure it, you put obstacles between them and the car, not just on the car itself.
Yes, I thought that a stolen TVR would flag up in the community pretty fast.
I'm thinking of replacing the wooden doors with a lockable up and over metal one.
I'm also having an alarm fitted to the garage. Importantly, I have extremely vigilant neighbours, who are always keeping an eye. There is a car blocking the drive as well.
What's taking the shine off a car like this is the responsibility of owning it, I've never had a car that I worried about so much before.
I'm thinking of replacing the wooden doors with a lockable up and over metal one.
I'm also having an alarm fitted to the garage. Importantly, I have extremely vigilant neighbours, who are always keeping an eye. There is a car blocking the drive as well.
What's taking the shine off a car like this is the responsibility of owning it, I've never had a car that I worried about so much before.
When I first got my Tuscan 12 years ago it was really difficult getting insurance companies to recognise the factory fitted alarm and immobiliser as a Thatcham Cat 1 and they wouldn’t cover theft until I got a covering letter from the factory. This was the case with a few companies. Now nobody seems to care. Make of that what you will.
I agree with Steve. Tvr insurance is very reasonable all things considered which can only be because historically not many get thrashed about town streets, not many in fact get crashed or at least claimed on, and other than the Griff recently I’ve not heard of one being stolen in years.
Fast Fords and hotch potch / Sorry hatch back semi modern souped up cars seem to attract joy riders, Ferrari and exotica, and even LandRover are more at risk of being stolen as the parts abroad are sort after, most end up in Africa I don’t doubt.
Being vigilant is a matter of course with any rare item but only we know of them, half the population still don’t know Tvr from Adam!
Fast Fords and hotch potch / Sorry hatch back semi modern souped up cars seem to attract joy riders, Ferrari and exotica, and even LandRover are more at risk of being stolen as the parts abroad are sort after, most end up in Africa I don’t doubt.
Being vigilant is a matter of course with any rare item but only we know of them, half the population still don’t know Tvr from Adam!
As we are talking about TVRs, it is unlikely that they are going to be stolen for parts or cloning as they are so rare.
Some prestige cars are being stolen to order and put in containers to Africa or Russia, but it is unlikely most outside the UK will have even heard of TVR let alone be bothered to have one stolen to order...OK, there may be one Russian who is interested in them
So I think you can be reassured that they will be a pretty low theft risk.
Some prestige cars are being stolen to order and put in containers to Africa or Russia, but it is unlikely most outside the UK will have even heard of TVR let alone be bothered to have one stolen to order...OK, there may be one Russian who is interested in them
So I think you can be reassured that they will be a pretty low theft risk.
Theft doesn't seem to be an issue for TVRs. There was that precat that got burnt out near Bristol recently, but as said above, it is very unusual that you hear of this.
I am far more worried about my land rover getting nicked than the TVR. They seem to disappear frequently. They are easy to get into and drive away (no security to speak of) and a huge market for second hand parts.
If you are worried about security, then make sure the garage is properly locked, consider in investing in CCTV (decent system, nothing budget) and use the every day car to block access to the garage over night. If you happen to be an animal lover, make sure your dog is large, fierce looking and loud. Just for the record, I don't believe in dogs being used as guard dogs, but if you happen to want a dog anyway they do have advantages. The worst our dog would do would be to lick a potential thief as a way of saying hello. However, she looks fierce and she is loud. Any unfamiliar sound outside and the whole road will be woken up.
Running the dog cost far far more than car insurance, but I reckon its excellent value security.
I am far more worried about my land rover getting nicked than the TVR. They seem to disappear frequently. They are easy to get into and drive away (no security to speak of) and a huge market for second hand parts.
If you are worried about security, then make sure the garage is properly locked, consider in investing in CCTV (decent system, nothing budget) and use the every day car to block access to the garage over night. If you happen to be an animal lover, make sure your dog is large, fierce looking and loud. Just for the record, I don't believe in dogs being used as guard dogs, but if you happen to want a dog anyway they do have advantages. The worst our dog would do would be to lick a potential thief as a way of saying hello. However, she looks fierce and she is loud. Any unfamiliar sound outside and the whole road will be woken up.
Running the dog cost far far more than car insurance, but I reckon its excellent value security.
Thanks for all your replies folks.
I've done a bit of work on the garage, drilled holes in concrete for big floor bolts on the doors, fitted coach bolt hasps, and installed an alarm.
I'm insured by Footman James, guaranteed valuation, but.....it's not about money, any TVR is a like a piece of unique antique furniture, you can't just go out and buy another one like a TV or anything else that's mass produced, we look after our cars too, and put a lot of time and effort into them, it's about memory's, and experiences, those things are irreplacable.
I've done a bit of work on the garage, drilled holes in concrete for big floor bolts on the doors, fitted coach bolt hasps, and installed an alarm.
I'm insured by Footman James, guaranteed valuation, but.....it's not about money, any TVR is a like a piece of unique antique furniture, you can't just go out and buy another one like a TV or anything else that's mass produced, we look after our cars too, and put a lot of time and effort into them, it's about memory's, and experiences, those things are irreplacable.
All quiet on the Western, and yes, I was surprised at how low TVR insurance is.
I'm with Footman James, the lowest quote I managed to find. It's also a "guaranteed valuation"
I hadn't owned a car for quite some time before getting the Griff, and was worried about my no claims discount, but apparently it makes no difference when insuring a car like this for a specified limited mileage
I'm with Footman James, the lowest quote I managed to find. It's also a "guaranteed valuation"
I hadn't owned a car for quite some time before getting the Griff, and was worried about my no claims discount, but apparently it makes no difference when insuring a car like this for a specified limited mileage
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