There are lots of different tricks people do to protect their hotrods in ways most people wouldn't think of.
For example, a 12v constant voltage solenoid between the battery and starter terminal. If the solenoid is wired to a relay that is hooked up to a switch, or the brake pedal, or the headlight switch, or an alarm... unless the switch (whatever it is) is flicked, no juice to the battery and tough to hotwire the car since it'll take too long for the average theif to figure out the solenoid.
And there are variations on that theme- how about a relay in the coil wire? If the switch isn't thrown the car will turn over all day but never start for lack of juice to the plugs.
Or, what about the same set up on the power line to the electric fuel pump?
There used to be a company that made special padlocks for the gear shift lever. You put the shifter in reverse, put the u-bolt portion of the lock around the shifter and then locked it. Even if someone could start your car, they wouldn't get it far.
The other day I saw a topless jeep with a removable steering wheel- The guy got out of the car, locked the steering wheel to the roll bar and walked away. How's a theif gonna drive it without the steering wheel?
