Security considerations for horn push and other trim items

Post by: **Elanman99** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:23 pm

Seeing the prices that some of the little bits of our cars change hands for saddens me! Not because I don't have a stash of horn buttons or boot hinges instead of a pension, but because it just means the cars become just that little bit less usable.

Being a long time Elan owner, when I first bought the car it was my only transport and used for every purpose (including carrying building materials) it then became family transport (child seat on tunnel) before I bought a second car (Plus 2) for a while. The car was never very 'precious' to me and my care for it over 40 years has vacillated between running into the ground to totally rebuilding it.

I see some of the current horn buttons on eBay can come with almost a 'Certificate of Authenticity', its sad that such a simple plastic commodity can have such a perceived value.

Anyway my current concern is securing the valuable horn button in the steering wheel boss, any ideas?

Triumph/Lucas/Lotus never made any provision for retaining the horn push other than being a push fit. I rarely erect the soft top so the badged button is an open invitation to the wrong type of collector. I could glue it in place but then taking the steering wheel off would probably damage the badge.

Ian

Post by: **elanfan1** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:30 pm

If you are seriously worried about this (and I can't say i have ever heard of one being stolen off a car [off my autojumbe stand yes - and you know who you are!!]) then why not loop a piece of suitable gauge wire around the protruding spring loop on the underside of the hornpush and affix the other end to one of the boss screws.

Assuming this does not short out the horn making it sound then I think it highly unlikley a thief would have a pair of snips in his pocket at the right time.

Post by: **Elanman99** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:43 pm

I am not really that concerned, its just a nagging thought.

My hornbutton has no sentimental appeal to me, its Black, it came with the car, its 'genuine' etc. If it did disappear I would be so miffed at what I would have to pay to replace it that I would probably make something myself on the lathe. I have no special interest in originality.

Ian

Post by: **nebogipfel** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:55 pm

Elanman99 wrote:I am not really that concerned, its just a nagging thought.

My hornbutton has no sentimental appeal to me, its Black, it came with the car, its 'genuine' etc. If it did disappear I would be so miffed at what I would have to pay to replace it that I would probably make something myself on the lathe. I have no special interest in originality.

Ian

In that case pop it in the post to me and then I'll have to worry about security :wink:

The same can be said of Chapman steering wheels, not exactly difficult to remove and usually come complete with horn push :shock:

Post by: **john.p.clegg** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 5:21 am

Ian

On your next trip to the Autojumbles,get a cheap Morris Minor etc. horn button and keep it in the glovebox..

John :cry:

Post by: **alexblack13** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:34 am

Hi Guys,

I use a little alarm that makes one hell of a din if anyone touches or tries to move it. It gives a few warning 'beeps' before sounding. I wrap it around the horn push and through the holes in the wheel. If you are careful with its position I think it would offer a 1st line of defense which would deter the casual ''I'll have that'' thief.

My daughter has two protecting her Scooter where she lives in London. She lost the 1st new Scooter with 400 mls on the clock. Stolen within two weeks of ownership. These small alarms just hang around her strapping securing the cover (also stolen once) Main security is a big chain and noisy padlock..... :wink:

She has heard them going off twice with the patter of dainty hoofs running off up the street... ! If you do buy and use keep some spare batteries to hand too.. I have two of them and they appear to keep hands away from things. left on the car overnight too sometimes (shows etc)..

Here's a link for more info....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tripneeds-Ala ... 3a68858112

Post by: **Orsom Weels** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 8:08 am

hello gents,
This has been one of my pet grumbles for a while now. This sort of thing seems to be becoming a problem in the classic motorcycle world, things I've heard of being stolen from bikes when left, even on club displays etc, (Where there are usually several owners/members keeping an eye on them) are becoming more numerous. Anything that commands a premium price on the likes of ebay or autojumbles seems to be at risk now, original tank badges/knee rubbers, usually 2 screws or even just evostick are easy & popular targets. One guy came back to find his seat missing, held on with 2 wing nuts. Trim items, switch tops etc, again easy targets & many more harder to remove parts have been taken. In my own case, I have the original bicycle type pump that most old motorcycles had clipped on somewhere, it's not on the bike anymore, it lives in the security of my garage as it's been targeted twice ! I luckily caught a low life about to remove it & walk off with it at a local show & a good friend of mine actully had to wrestle it off another thief at a larger prestigious event. When he tackled the culpret, he was answered with the statement F**k off mate, I saw it first ! Whilst these things are becoming more valuable, I've not seen them make anywhere near the figures Elan horn pushes seem to achieve so you're probably right to be concerned. If things weren't making the crazy prices, I doubt there would be a problem.

There, that's better, got that off me chest

rant over, but it is a worry.

Regards, Tim