Stolen Air Ride Camaro

[bobbaganoosh]

That really sucks, getting your pride & joy stolen. I used to own a '93 Chevy truck that I had put a lot of time & effort in, and one night I had to park it in an area I was really uncomfortable with - I just had a gut feeling. I had a blown fuse laying in the ash tray so I replaced the PCM fuse with that one. Sure enough when I came back out the door & column were popped, but it was still there. Lucky for them I didn't catch them, otherwise I would have put a bullet in thier head. Texas is a great place to live.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Well, I have to keep standing up for Year One here. There is NO WAY they can be responsible for security at all the hotels, nor should they. NONE of the hotels on Power Tour had security, not even the host hotels, except a few that had security all the time which was a joke. We hired cops with guns to watch our stuff every night and it cost $200 to $350 per night. The pressure, if any, should be put on the hotels hosting multiple car show attendees. But again, even at my hotel 20 some odd miles away, there were 4 to 6 cars. Who could expect Year One or the hotel for that matter to hire security for 4 to 6 cars?

As for a switch of venue. This show is held in the most perfect venue ever. The location is fantastic, The events are perfect, and if Year One is guilty of anything it is a reputation for drawing the nicest cars, and the thieves know it.

Year One had killer security inside both venues, that is all they should be expected to do.

As for cars being stolen from other venues. In 1989 I was at a show in West palm Beach Florida (not exactly a crime meca by any means) sleeping in a bit, and heard screaming and cussing in the parking lot about 6AM. When I ran out of my room to see who was getting killed, I found screaming owners who's trucks and trailers, complete rigs, were stolen, from a Marriott in West Palm Beach, and the hotel had security! Apparently deputy dog he was on the other side of the building.

Again, it is really the owners responsibility to protect their car. Switches, Alarms, and tracking devices are the only way to go. Or simply do not leave the house with your car. because even riding down the road a thief could follow you home, or get your tag info and find it later.

Any one that thinks one venue or show circuit is safer then another is fooling themselves.

[TonyL]

I am *NOT* blaming Year one, I'm worried about Year One.

Whether they deserve it or not, the Year One Experience is being tied together with "car theft" right now. Message boards everywhere are creating threads with "car stolen at year one" in the title. Google will automatically tie these together, so when you search for year one you'll see "my car got ripped off at the year one event" right near the top.

The words "bad taste in my mouth" "not the experience I had in mind" "this'll put a lot of people off" are EVERYWHERE now.

This sentiment is likely to proliferate. As an individual we can sit here and talk about how to rationally deal with the situation, but the majority of people are going to associate the year one experience this year with car theft. Even though it isn't Year One's fault.

*That's* where I'm going with this. I'm sure that they won't change venues. Or even give it a second thought. But if it happens again next year, It'll be devastating to the show.

The theft that occurred on Power Tour was a Monte SS in Birmingham Alabama, not even in Georgia. If any cars were taken last year at Year One, I'm unaware of it. If any other event has had this many cars taken from it, I'm also unaware of it. Either the theft problem is getting worse, (possible) or that area has a very organized car theft ring. (also possible)

[toxicz28]

I thought the same thing happened last year with a bunch of Monte Carlos and a few other cars. And I think it was at the same show. And then it happened again on the Power Tour. At least that's what I remember. I could be wrong. But it's mainly been happening in that area. At least the grouping of car thefts has.

Can't say the exact date for the Super Chevy show, but the Monte on the Power Tour was stolen between 6:00 am and 7:15am on 6-9-05. Called my sister to tell her her nephew was born, she told me her husband's car was stolen.

...that area has a very organized car theft ring. (also possible)

That's what B'ham PD told my brother-in-law.

[1FstChevy]

Wow thats sad to hear... Sorry about your loss thats a clean Camaro.

But I guess its a good thing I have a steering wheel that disengages from the column and spins freely! Good luck driving or getting it on a roll back when the wheels are turned all the way to the curb with no way of turning them back... that is unless you can pick a lock made by German safe manufacturers. Heh heh! I also have a few ignition cut offs and such hidden with a little custom work, I've considered adding a modern alarm and maybe even GPS?

I think if I attended one of those weekend events I'd start by practicing the my foot in your A** security measure against any unauthorized hoodlums who came too close to my ride, although you could also employ measures like placing your wheels inside the hotel room with steel blocks in their place? Outside of hiring security gaurds which is probably a good idea provided its not Barney Fife, I'd probably just enjoy lying in wait for any criminals looking to harm anyones Rides within my reach and then lay down a little Ohio style vigilante justice upon them.

[cudaman]

Theft rings by definition have some degree of organization. Power
Tour is right around the corner and there will be several of these cartels licking their chops. The route, event locations, and overnight stops are very well publicized far in advance. It has to be this way, of course, but it provides so many opportunities to plan and then execute theft. If you know where you are staying in advance each night, call around that particular town and find a security agency that will rent you a guard at the motel for the night. With a few people pitching in, it will be very cheap and worth every penny for the restful sleep and peace of mind that it should bring.

A motel parking lot could easily contain several hundred thousand dollars or more of classic cars at one time with no one watching them. You wouldn't leave several hundred thousand dollars of art or anything else unattended in a motel parking lot all night unattended, so why would this be any different. It should be different, but it apparently is not. These used to be just used cars, but those days are gone.

[Steve68]

My Nova sits in the driveway, I usually park another car behind it, but when I have to leave it out by the street, I get nervous, and try to park another car behind it(block it in) It was stolen once before I bought it, the Key switch was torn up, but they didn't get it running, it was found about a mile away, tired fools,

[ProdigyCustoms]

If anyone wants to track one of my snitches to see how it works, One of my guys is traveling to pick up some parts, e mail me [email protected] for a free invite to track a snitch today. Also you must include your pro touring screen name.

I will e mail you a invite and you can check it out.

[theorangeguy]

A guy over on one of the forums im on says he saw the car!

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718724

[TheMonkey]

he said he seen it on Sunday at 4-5 pm. it sounds like it was stolen in the early hours of Sunday am....

sounds like he saw the theif. "White guy, about 50 black hair was driving".

Bret- maybe you should talk to this guy that posted? i'm sure the cops will want to.

[got_hp?]

If anyone wants to track one of my snitches to see how it works, One of my guys is traveling to pick up some parts, e mail me [email protected] for a free invite to track a snitch today. Also you must include your pro touring screen name.

I will e mail you a invite and you can check it out.

what I dont understand is why ALL these cars dont have something like the Snitch installed??!?

If I spent $50-100k+ on building a car, not to mention countless manhours, i would have 2 snitches in every car!!!! Its a small price to pay to protect your ride, and they could be hidden so easily. With such a great service available, its mind boggling to see such high dollar vehicles not have such a simple safety device.

Just think of how good it would feel to catch up to the thiefs 5-6 hours later, thinking they got a clean getaway, with a bunch of cops to bust their ass.


Killswitch is also a nice trick, although that doesnt stop them from trailering it away.

[Steve1968LS2]

what I dont understand is why ALL these cars dont have something like the Snitch installed??!?

If I spent $50-100k+ on building a car, not to mention countless manhours, i would have 2 snitches in every car!!!! Its a small price to pay to protect your ride, and they could be hidden so easily. With such a great service available, its mind boggling to see such high dollar vehicles not have such a simple safety device.

Just think of how good it would feel to catch up to the thiefs 5-6 hours later, thinking they got a clean getaway, with a bunch of cops to bust their ass.


Killswitch is also a nice trick, although that doesnt stop them from trailering it away.

Funny, I think the same thing when I consider a fire suppression system..

$30k, $50k, $100k on a car and they can't spend $400 on a system to keep it from burning to the ground.

Non-sensical..

[wiedemab]

I agree that a device to track the car is a great idea and good advice for others, but it's all hindsight in Bret's case. It's a shame that something like this has to happen before we all take any/all necessary cautions to protect our investments.

Brandon

[Nine Ball]

Here is what I install in all of my vehicles, costs around $379 installed and is simple and effective. They would have to tow your car away if they want it. www.ravelco.com

[jsconiers]

Atlanta is no more high risk than other city. There are cars stolen at every car show....or at least the well known car shows were people travel out of town to get to. There are cars stolen from people houses while they sleep......it has nothing with Atlanta and no I don't live there. Cleveland, KC, cincy, and DC are all way smaller and have way higher crime rates. If you rank it by theft only Atlanta doesn't even make the top 20 (Ok 24) and car theft is even lower...People will steal whenever there is an opportunity and the people stealing custom classic cars are not two-bit criminals. They are well organized people who have the ability to get rid of what they stole. After all....who's going to get a way with selling a stolen car on ebay, craigs list, paper, etc.....most two bit criminals wouldn't even know how to get rid of the car or what cars to go after unless it had a big name sponsor attached to it.....

Not blaming Year One. But damn. That's a load of stolen cars. I blame Atlanta and the Police's inability to control or deter crime in the area. I've heard 6 to 10 were taken. That's epic, epidemic crime in association with a car show. Either we're looking at a "Gone in 60 Seconds" type coordinated hollywood style crime ring, or we're looking at a car show held in a *super high* crime area. While it's fun and easy to say it was organized, it could be either. Sure, there are chances to have our cars taken anywhere anytime due to the high desirability factor. And then there's the factor of putting your high risk car in a high risk location. *That's* the point I was making. Atlanta = High risk.

[bingham72]

A guy over on one of the forums im on says he saw the car!

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=718724

Can some follow up about which direction on Hwy 92? That's kinda my neck of the woods. I can cruise around this weekend.

[SimplyKC]

This was in the SEMA News email I got today:

http://www.sema.org/Main/ArticleDeta...ontentID=57475

[SimplyKC]

Can some follow up about which direction on Hwy 92? That's kinda my neck of the woods. I can cruise around this weekend.

Asked...check back in a while for a possible reply.

[bret]

In my opinion [which is actually really relevant here] Year One is not at fault in any way. These theives are aware of any large gathering of hotrods and will certainly go to wherever they are. They were professonals. It is likely that by the time we discovered the Camaro was gone it was already loaded into a container in Savannah and on its way to South America or wherever.
Theives know no boundries. This could have happened at ANY show anywhere is the country.
I must say that I have been driving hi profile cars all over the country for at least 25 years and have had not even a door ding. This incident will NOT prevent me from doing the same from here forward. I will not be further victimized by cowering under a car cover or inside a trailer. We will continue to build more cars than they can steal.
I will, however, be investigating the Snitch locating device, or something similar. Frank has sent me a link to see a sample tracking record. It sounds promising.
2 morals here...1. Year One is NOT to blame...the theives are. 2.Be aware...don't be afraid.

[hotrdblder]

great outlook bret, goodluck and i for one cannot wait to see what you build next
jake