Volvo: Anti theft locks, marseille france, volvo 240

Question
Hi Jason,

I'm moving to Marseille France with my 89 Volvo 240 station wagon... form Paris.

I've been told that even old cars are stolen there, and was wondering what you might have heard on anti-theft devices for my model car.  Which are the best?  Gear Shift lock?  steering wheel blocking device? Accelerator lock?

Have you some idea?

Answer
In terms of a visable in-car deterent, I suggest the brake lock.  The brake petal is the strongest on the car, and will be the hardest to crack even if someone does get inside.  They usually come with a steering wheel cover so as to inform any potential thief what they are up against.  Another technique I sometimes use, especially if leaving the car for several hours in a place I don't know, is to pop the hood when I park, and remove the wire from the coil to the distributor.  I can coil it up, fit it in my pocket and walk away.  There is no possible way to get the engine running without that wire unless the theif figures out what is missing and searches for a suitable replacement.  Good luck!