MTFCA Forum

Although my four-door is not quite ready for the road but it will be soon, I plan to drive the car quite a bit with overnight stays and I’m wondering how safe is the car in the hotel parking lot, has anyone had any experiences with the car being stolen or something?

John: I would be more concerned with people (kids) climbing on it than anyone trying to steal it. Your car has door locks so I wouldn't worry. I think that you could safely leave the doors open and the key in the ignition and still be OK as the kind of guy that might think about stealing it most likely couldn't drive it anyway. I travel a lot and like to park my car near or under a light, even if it's a little farther to walk to the door.

I've been driving my T's for 55+ years. No one has stolen one of them yet, or any parts off of one! Oh, and I often stay at hotels and motels.

The reason that I don't leave the key in my Model T is because I'm afraid that some jerk would steal the key, not the car.

I worry more about vandalism than theft. I left my Stanley outside one night at the HCCA's shore tour in early May. Another tour participant said she chased away three teenage boys who were sitting in it smoking.

I'm afraid that some jerk would steal the key

It can get stolen or lost. It's good to carry a spare.

In spite of "the world" teaching us that "all men are created equal", the truth is that
a fair slice of the humanity pie is made up of pure scum, with another fair slice made
of sketchy and questionable ....

How seriously do you want to take your security program ?

Anything that stands out is going to draw attention. An acquaintance recently found
a scumbag carving letters into the just completed $12,000 paint and body restoration
on his 57 Plymouth. When confronted, the guy attacked him and left him in need of
a hospital visit. Unfortunately, he did not have the tactical training needed to leave the
scumbag in a heap of his own DNA, and was rewarded with a massive teardown and paint
repair and some broken bones and an eye socket that needed major work.

On the flip side, most people are wonderful and relatively respectful. But you may want
to contact your favorite EOD specialist and place several pounds of C4 strategically in the
vehicle with a high quality remote detonator. Keep you insurance paid up and your detonator
in a close, but safe place and don't worry about theft.


A sticker left by a spook group moving through my AO in AFG. You can bet that theft
was not one of their concerns.

I've trailered my Army Jeep on an open trailer for years without trouble but will admit to being concerned about my Model T Touring. For that reason I bought an enclosed trailer. I also bought a fitted car cover that I intend to cover it with if I have to leave it parked somewhere for any length of time. I figure the cover will keep all but the most determined away. I also suspect it is safer when parked amongst a bunch of T's rather than on it's own.

I assume its your '24 so no brass to rip off. A general rule for parking a desirable car is to never park on either end of the block or in a parking space the would provide easy access to a tow truck. Motel parking at night - under the lights - lock a chain around a wheel and axle AND/OR add an alarm system. Simple alarm system with a Mercury Tilt Switch ($6.99) (battery) connected to (on/off switch) connected to (Mercury Tilt switch) connected to (horn). No battery drain until the Tilt is detected and you disarm it.

These days anything can happen at a hotel parking lot or any place overnight. Nothing is off limits. I think it’s naive to believe that people wouldn’t damage or steal something from an antique or classic car. Just be careful to park in a lighted area or somewhere where there is security around.
It isn’t the same world or culture as it use to be years ago.

A motometer is a "prime target"!

You probably have a greater chance of getting the T stolen if it's hidden inside an enclosed trailer. Of course later they will dump the T keeping the trailer. When I travel now (things have changed) I make long jogs stopping at rest stops or totally uninhabited strips for a single night and then "rest up" at a safe way point. For example Houston to Phoenix in a single shot then rest a couple nights at the destination.

I drive about 80-100 miles a week in the city of Rochester. I often come out from work and find people sitting in my car for pictures. They think it’s part of the George Eastman Museum despite a small sign I have saying it’s not George’s car and to please not sit in the car or fiddle with the controls. I drive it nearly every evening to a coffee shop in the city and get lots of questions from people who figure it must be mine ... must be the fedora.

The only time I actually worry is when my wife and I drive to the movie ten blocks from our house. I carry a plain Ford radiator cap and replace the dog bone with vintage motor meter and lock it in the turtle deck. Just too easy to swipe.

In a city a few blocks makes a big difference. Our modern cars will on occasion be broken into or rifled through parked in our driveway or on the street if we leave them unlocked .. the down and out looking for change.

I have had a moto meter stolen off (1988) Model A but nobody has ever bothered my cars in 40 years of trips. I have a 2 freinds who have had really cars stolen and vandalized at event motels. They were compensated by there insurance.

Been parking overnight at motels for 32 years with the T. So far, zero issues. I used to never bother even taking the key out, but I heard of somebody having the key stolen. That would be inconvenient... so I take the key out now.

Thanks everyone, lots of good information passed down. Will definitely remove the motometer. Vandalism is another problem. I guess I’ll just take the obvious precautions and keep my insurance paid up.

Im 35 years old owning and driving model Ts i had 1 radiator cap stollen in 1993
I dont tour with grouos and leave my car unattended while eating or shopping
Only seriouse mishap or issue when i drove my T to college late 1987-89 it get toilet papered often

All good advice above. One Item I don't recall seeing is to be sure and check what, when and where your insurance policy covers you.

One reason the insurance companies can offer such good rates on our antique cars is they know we want to take care of them. Another reason they can offer the good rates is they often have additional restrictions on when the coverage is in effect. I.e. you generally will pay more if you want your car covered for daily driving to-from work rather than only for club activities, parades, and fun drives not involving to-from work etc. Or if you want it covered for unlimited mileage etc. Some cover your vehicle in a motel parking lot. Some would only cover you if you were going to/from an old car event and you stopped to spend the night. Some only cover your car if it is in a locked in a garage, trailer etc. or has some one with it (the rates were great for that one -- but it was not what I wanted).

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

I use and open trailer for my Fordor and my concerns are for the hub caps and motometer. There is always some egghead looking for a souvenir. When I use the car during the day and park it in public lots I leave the keys in it because I doubt anyone could drive it.

I had an era flying eagle radiator cap stolen off a Model A parked in front of my house. I don't leave my cars unattended anymore. If I am at a restaurant with a T, I sit next to a window .

My car has a steering wheel lock. I only have one key for it and have not found a blank to cut another...I do lock it and put it on the ring with my ignition key. I have a spare ignition key hidden. Worry more about contents or vandalism than the car. But I have yet to stay overnight anywhere. Some good advice here.

If I was to catch someone carving their initials in my car.... I can almost guarantee it would not be ME making a trip to the hospital or the morgue !!
BTW, have you met my wife ??

Out West here we park the cars overnite under the lights at Motels with no trouble in 50 years. I did have a motometer and winged cap stolen in West Yellowstone about 1965. (parked in the dark) Even stuff I store outside at home has not disappeared. Perhaps it's luck or pistol packing locals. I have found tourists digging through my trunk a time or two but that's just un-bridled curiosity. I do hesitate to take cars in unfamiliar or more populated areas.
Keeping fingers crossed.
Rich