How Do I Be Left Alone In My 73 Mustang?

myhotrod

New Member
Oct 14, 2014
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I am a girl and just want to drive the unique car I like... it's a 73 Mach I Mustang, but am sick of being harassed about people asking what year it is everywhere I go, if I want to sell, people following me in the parking lot, even home once, screaming at from across the street, riding even with my window, and tonight, some freak taking pictures IN THE DARK of my car and circling it for 15 minutes, talking on his cell phone staring at it, more flash pictures from all angles, while I go in somewhere to get food.

I am so sick of this. I know, I know, it's not usual to see one driving on the road. Whatever, how do I get the hell left alone? Today I just went to get vinyl stickers to at least put the year next to the Mustang symbol, to see if that dies at least some of the questions down.

I only have a hidden kill switch on it and too poor to get more than basic insurance, and more afraid now of it getting stolen. If I put a sign in my window that says "Quit asking the year, if I want to sell, and leave me alone!" then for sure someone will bust in my window to be vindictive, or steal it. I am just sick of it and also sick of being told to not drive what I like if I can't take people's harassment, which is not right.

My guy suggests putting a for sale sign on it asking for some absurd $40,000, which I think would attract more attention. I have a folder full of numbers and stalkers waiting to talk to me at the gas pump. It is getting miserable just to drive a car that is like fine art to me. My guy also suggests carrying a panic button that makes horrendous noise when people peer in it, but my ears hurt over little noises already and that would certainly draw even more attention that I don't want.

Tonight with the creep circling my car, he asked as I left it, if it was mine. Of course I said No, and shrug my shoulders now when people ask the year and act dumb. I've tried positive affirmations that I am left alone and it gets even worse. After the creep tonight, I got to the point where I was directed to the store manager to help walk me out, then checked my car for bugs to see if I was gonna be followed home then my car missing later. I don't want to walk out into that same old crap.

Please help me anyone! I have got to find some answers. I am also to the point of being so poor I can't afford a car change even if I wanted it. Anytime you buy another car, you always have to fork out money to fix something, and I have gotten to a get-by point so far and love what I have, except the harassments. Any new ideas? I would really appreciate it.
 
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I'm not sure why you think because people looking at your car or taking pictures of it are "creeps" and "freaks" and "stalkers". it sounds to me like you're judging people a little too harshly. Maybe if they were asking questions about you or taking pics of you in the dark then I'd be concerned. If it bothers you that much and you can't enjoy the car I say get rid of it and find something else. A classic car in decent shape will get you enough money to buy a trustworthy car that you like that won't attract all these horrible people . Just my 2 cents worth.
 
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It's the price of owning a classic car /you are going to get attention ,wanted or not .You should enjoy it . I know there can be some slime balls out there ,but some just like to see a nice classic car and seeing one driven by a young lady just makes it that much interesting ,a quick ...I am not sure it's my husbands car may help some . People asking about the car is just something you have to get used to.
My mom drove a 73 Mach 1 for several years, people always asking the year ,what motor ,if it was for sale ,she kind of got a kick out of it .
 
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Ha ha, that's grammatically kinda punny: "Get a kick out of it," like pony language! Well, there is a difference between interested people and those who stalk and circle my car for 15 minutes, taking pictures like a crime scene where I have to get a manager to walk me out. If I would have stayed there and not gone in the store, I would have been reamed with a boat load of prying questions. It is a little invading.

The only other car I would like is a 69 Camaro, which last time I did pricing, was about $10,000 for a decent one, and my car was worth about $6,000. So I need double the money, plus any fix-up money for being new to me in ownership.

Ok, then let me ask if the car being a diamond in the rough would make any difference in people's eyes as far as having to own it? Right now it needs body work to a corner panel, a paint job, crack taken out of windshield, part of detail striping is missing in the back, and has dirt and bird crap on it half the time from rude neighbor doing yard work next to it all the time, and sitting under a tree is the only place I can park it. If it were to be fixed up looking, would people think it's worth thousands more than they have so why bother even asking if it's for sale? Like take away the idea of buying the car cheap from me, fix it up themselves, and make thousands profit... in your opinion, do you think that would help me?
 
You have heard the old saying ,cant make a silk purse from a sows ear ?
Doesn't apply to mustangs :rlaugh:All people will see is the silk purse that it could be .There are those that would want it to sell ,but there are many more that would just love the chance to restore it and that is the attraction to your 73. I am afraid restored or not it is going to get attention ,wanted or not .
 
sorry OP, but the list of questions, and being accosted every time you drive the car is just part of owning a vintage car. get used to it. since you are a girl though you can have a little fun with some of the people that are suspect in nature. take their phone number, but later when some less than desirable guy hits on you for a date, give the phone number of the creepy guy asking about your car to him.

as for the rest, just go about your business as best you can, and answer the questions asked about the car as best you can at the same time. in the mean time, let them look, take pictures, what ever, it doesnt hurt anything, and i doubt seriously that anyone is going to steal the car.
 
You may be going about this the wrong way .Learn all you can about the car ,that way someone thinking ...This girl driving this car probably knows nothing about it and i can probably pick it up for nothing .
Start spouting out ,yeah it's a 73 Mach 1, it has a 351 Cleveland and a FMX automatic with a 9 inch rear end and 3.00 gears and front disk brakes and i have plans to restore it .That could make them move along thinking ,oh she does know what she has .
 
Wow, I really appreciate all this input about ideas or how people perceive my car. That is funny, giving the inquirer's phone numbers out... maybe to yet another Mustang inquirer and let them quarrel it out. Ha ha. I don't think I could do that though. Waste of energy.

Well, so it still comes down to knowledge the car owner must have and wasting my breath on everyone who asks when I don't want to converse to begin with. If the car looked a little more like a silk purse, wouldn't that detract people at least some, since how do you restore something that may already "look" restored?

Maybe I could put a notice on it that I'm restoring it so there's no point asking... or put a phone number collection box or ziplock sleeve on the car somewhere to make people feel like they're just another number. I now remember once figuring out how to get rid of the annoying sales people hounding me when going into the Victoria's Secret store... get more annoying than them. "Do you have this bra, in this size, color, with this feature, and this price? No this doesn't fit right, can you go check these other 5 bras?" Ha ha. I seriously don't want to have to go through such stress though.

Well, I appreciate all this feedback on perceptions. My guy said he could paint it and looked up striping kits and I kind of got excited at seeing how it's supposed to look. Would like to invest only what I have to at this point though.
 
Really? You don't think the car will get stolen with all these people inquiring? Do you guys carry extra insurance for theft, or have anti-theft device ideas? This is like shipping a painting to me. (I'm an artist.) If damages occur, no real assessment of value can really replace a work of art. Being on just the basics of insurance required by law, I would be totally screwed if someone took my car. No car to drive to work and no replacement money, and loss of beauty. Just throwing money away to uninsured motorists. $9 a week for this.
 
There is always a chance of any car being stolen ,new or classic .
I always put classic car insurance on my cars .It cost me a little over $300 a year to get ,fire ,theft and accident on my 65 Fast Back and that was a $30,000. pay off .Of course there was a limited millage clause ,that probably would not do you any good using it as a daily driver.
A fuel cut off switch would be a good investment along with a power cut off switch .If a thief cant get a car started in a matter of seconds he will probably pass it by .
Getting it painted may stop some of the ,is it for sale questions ,but there is always going to be lookers and questions .
 
Really? You don't think the car will get stolen with all these people inquiring? Do you guys carry extra insurance for theft, or have anti-theft device ideas? This is like shipping a painting to me. (I'm an artist.) If damages occur, no real assessment of value can really replace a work of art. Being on just the basics of insurance required by law, I would be totally screwed if someone took my car. No car to drive to work and no replacement money, and loss of beauty. Just throwing money away to uninsured motorists. $9 a week for this.

There is always a chance of any car being stolen ,new or classic .
I always put classic car insurance on my cars .It cost me a little over $300 a year to get ,fire ,theft and accident on my 65 Fast Back and that was a $30,000. pay off .Of course there was a limited millage clause ,that probably would not do you any good using it as a daily driver.
A fuel cut off switch would be a good investment along with a power cut off switch .If a thief cant get a car started in a matter of seconds he will probably pass it by .
Getting it painted may stop some of the ,is it for sale questions ,but there is always going to be lookers and questions .

horse sence is right, there is always the possibility the car might be stolen, however just because a crowd of on lookers are admiring your car, doesnt mean that there are nefarious types there to try and steal your car.

do everything you can to prevent theft obviously, but in the end, if a thief wants your car, he will get it. that said, chances are that you will never have anyone try to steal your car. by the way, i have the grant vehicle security system on my 64 falcon. it allows you to pull the steering wheel off and take it with you, or lock it in the trunk. and unless they have the key, or can pick a lock easily, even if they have the steering wheel they wont be taking you car anytime soon without a tow truck. check it out here;

http://www.prostreetonline.com/x/grant-vehicle-security.asp

I have a Extraordinary hard time believing anyone is tracking down a 73 mustang to take pictures of it..

actually most people that take pictures of vintage cars do it because they have the opportunity, and the means what with cell phones being so pervasive these days, so they take advantage.

OP, something else you can tell people when they ask if the car is for sale. i tell people that yes it is for sale if the money is right. when they ask how much, i say start putting $100 bills in my hand, and when the weight feels right, then the car is yours. invariably they ask how much weight is right, i say "about 100 pounds".

when people would ask if my falcon was for sale, i would tell them yes, give them the $100 speel, and then tell them that they have to talk to my aunt in pittsburg, and get her permission for me to sell the car, and no i wont give you her phone number. you are going to have to figure that out for yourself.(i am very protective of my family). when they ask how am i going to find her then? i say that is your tough luck isnt it?
 
horse sence - Thanks for the ideas. I do at least have a power cut off switch

Wicked65 - I don't think people are tracking this down as much as just insistently interested once accidentally coming across it.

rbohm - What a great idea on this removeable steering wheel! Few thoughts... the fear of it coming off while I'm driving, how long does it take to put on and take off in reality, and how to install it? (Also, great editing skills! I have not seen a forum where you can put several quotes in.)

I told my guy about your mention and he said someone once got their Firebird stolen and insides gutted out (I would be mortally wounded if seeing this), and he was given the car for parts. To drive it home, he sat on a bucket and with the steering wheel gone, he used a vice clamp on the steering rod to steer the car home. He also said that's probably what would happen if my car got stolen (Huge choking up), and that some would see even a classic worth more in parts that sold as a whole. (gasp) :eek: (major devastated face) :shrug:

I suppose someone could just come with a tow truck and bypass any of these remedies.:thinking: (Ha ha... some of these emoticons are funny)
 
Driving a classic car is like taking a cute, friendly dog for a walk or a cute baby for a stroll. Some folks ARE going to talk with you. I hope you are misinterpreting their approaches.
But in case you are not, get some self defense training and gain some self confidence. Knowing you can stop anyone from harming you may change you perspective.
 
If somebody wants to steal it, they'll steal it. Doesn't matter if you have 18 different anti-theft devices. What I'D have is good agreed-value insurance in case that DOES happen.

If you have vanity plates available in your state you might want to consider something like "ITS A 73" or "73 MACH1", etc., or even get a reproduction window sales sticker mounted in some static cling.

For the "creepies", I suggest a nice, compact, CCW and some range time. That, an NRA sticker for the bumper and a "This car protected by Smith & Wesson" sticker might be all you need.
 
I do not believe the "creepies" can always read or are smart enough to decipher what the letters "NRA" might mean to their well being. At least that is what the officer told me after my shop was broken into and I wanted to put NRA stickers on the doors.
Maybe you should get a girl pit bull and Train it like Cesar.
 
rbohm - What a great idea on this removeable steering wheel! Few thoughts... the fear of it coming off while I'm driving, how long does it take to put on and take off in reality, and how to install it? (Also, great editing skills! I have not seen a forum where you can put several quotes in.)

the steering wheel actually locks on the column very nicely and securely. as for removing and replacing it, it really takes about 10 seconds or so. when my falcon was running, i would remove the wheel and lock it in the trunk. the nice thing about that is that once the cap is locked on the column, you need the key to unlock it.

and while the falcon does not have a locking column, try steering the car without power steering, and 3 1/2" wheel. you would need to be a body builder to steer the car with any semblance of competence.
 
This car is apparently causing you a lot of stress and maybe it's time to consider another car. It sounds like your 73 is your daily driver. Nothing wrong with that, but a 41 year old car is not going to be the most reliable transportation nor is it going to hold its value, especially if you drive it year round in a salted road environment.

Most car people are happy to strike up a conversation about their classics, but if you're not one of them, I'd suggest a nice reliable, used Camry for the $6000 you'd get for your 73.