A custom tiller with a secretMost of us are well aware that if a determined thief really wants a car, he can figure out a way to get it. Yet we also realize that many car thefts are crimes of opportunity, and if we make it more difficult to steal our cars, we're less likely to loose them. That's the thinking behind most security systems on the market

You are probably aware of Grant Products primarily as a steering wheel manufacturer, yet the company has also marketed a security device for a couple of decades. It's a simple one, too, based on the notion that a car without a steering wheel is a tough one to steal. The Grant Vehicle Security System is essentially a quick-release unit that allows you to remove your car's steering wheel with the turn of a key and twist of a lever. The wheel can then be stashed in your trunk or taken with you, while a locking cap prevents anyone from installing another wheel on the column.

The Grant security system only works with Grant wheels, but that's not a bad thing since the company has expanded its offerings in recent years with some sharp designs that fit a wide range of interior styles. For our subject car, a mid-'60s Plymouth Valiant, the owner chose a Heritage Sprint 3 model, which has a simple three-spoke polished aluminum center and a full-wrap leather rim that can be unbolted from the spokes should he want to re-wrap it to better match his interior. Considering that the car is a convertible, the ability to remove the wheel and take it along should provide extra piece of mind when parking with the top down.