Classic car theft foiled because crooks couldn't figure out how to drive it.
 

Hah...amateurs. Not really a classic car as the article title suggests, as much as a classic race car...shame they damaged it in the process.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news...0e30442b&ei=18

well that sucks.

My favourite manual transmission thwarting car thieves was from a POCI magazine (iirc) It was written by a gent who owned a three speed stick GTO, and apparently no one could figure out how to drive it!?
It probably helped that the older three speed cars did not have gear indications anywhere, as it was expected that everyone knew where the gears were on a three speed.
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1679006537

It was a Brabham BT21. I think it would be difficult for thieves to do anything with a car like that, it's rare enough that it would be hard to sell without someone in the Brabham community figuring out what was going on. Then again, thieves aren't known for their intelligence.

https://www.oldracingcars.com/Images...ings-1000x.jpg

thanks for the picture;
that is SUPER cool!

Not very practical as the wife would say...lol

I think there is more to it than not knowing how to start the car or use a manual transmission. Like mentioned, this is a high profile auto. Average guy would do better stealing a toyota off the street than taking this one!

Member YNOBIL -

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1679059917

Thinking of not having the gear pattern on the shift knob....

While stationed in Germany back in the 70's, I had a '69 Opel Rekord with a 4 speed on the column. It was the standard pattern for a floor shift 4 speed, but I'd never experienced a 4 speed column shift before. I used to spend significant time driving military cars with 3 on the tree shifters, which made me focus on what I was driving from day to day.

1st gear on my car was reverse on the military AMC Matadors or Chevy Bel Aires...

Ah I remember them Opels

Ah yes and I love the reaction to the young people if they see a 3 on the tree! :faint: And the few of the old guys that can start and drive an early car like a model A ! Where the spark advance is inside the cab! :jaw: Some couldn't figure out how to open a window using a crank. One of my first driving experience's was an old ford truck with a 3 on the tree. And one of the first semi's I drove had a 5 and a 4. WHAT? 2 transmission shifters lol Its great to be old!

I can handle Model A's, it Model T's starting that eludes me, crank start on top of the ignition advance and throttle on the steering wheel, then if I get it started what pedal does what again?
I do enjoy the anti theft discount on my manual transmission Solstice, that and the fact that I never installed the solenoid to release the detent on reverse on the Tremec 6060. I have had to show every person that has driven it how to get it into reverse. Just takes a firm push. But most people end up in 5th gear every time.

Agreed - if you want a real challenge, try driving a Model T!