How vital is garaging a classic Stang?

KnownRider · Jun 8, 2004

In the Middle Atlantic region that is. Winter is a no-brainer of course. But is it imperative that an old Stang spend the rest of the time inside or can it do long periods outside with a good car cover?

Thanks!

Pakrat · Jun 8, 2004

Simply put, the more protection the better IMHO. The less you have the more often it would likely need refreshing and refurbishing. when I lived in Texas I used a 3 season cover under a carport and I think the cover caused more harm than good. The reason is because I mainly would tie it down from underneath only to make it easier to remove daily, and one night a massive wind storm lifted it off dragged all the back in the mud and rain, not before the it turned over half way though and the little padlock beat against my driver door a dozen times and swirled all the paint. Now my cover only goes on in the garage during winter strorage to keep the dust off it.

Several insurance companies also give you a significant price break in a garage as well.

Ferf · Jun 8, 2004

How vital is your heart to your suvival?

Ok, a garage isn't that vital but I will not keep my '65 outside once it is complete. Honestly, when I first bought my coupe (I was 18 and living at home) during the summer I kept it outside under a cover. In the winter, it went into storage. Even under a cover it still got dirty when it rained, strong winds, etc. With the car being black it was multiplied ten fold. I hated driving my '65 when it was dirty. Therefore, it was washed 3 - 4 times a week.

As I stated before, once it is finished and looking at all the money put into the car, it will be kept in a garage year round.

later,

Chris

Timmy · Jun 8, 2004

If you plan on getting Classic Insurance, it’s required by most companies.

KnownRider · Jun 8, 2004

I'd like it be my daily driver although I do NOT drive to work. I have a garage a couple of miles up the road I could use in the winter. But would it be ok to keep it outside during the warmer months? My area is a very safe and leafy area of DC. Very hot and humid summers.

projectstang · Jun 8, 2004

I have forced every other car in our family out of the garage to make room for my stang, and my '58 ford pickup, because newer cars can take the weather better than the oldies. (at least that's what I tell my parents) Just 2 nights ago I watched the hail bounce off of my grand prix while I stood in the garage leaning against my stang. I wouldn't chance it, if I had the choice. Just my 2 cents!

67CoupeDriva · Jun 8, 2004

Sun is harsh on exterior paint and all things interior...dash pads and rear package trays in particular, but carpet, upholtstery, door paint just under the windows, basically everything can be faded/dried out/ cracked by the sun. Which ironically is worse when the weather is nice and we've got our cars out!

Pakrat · Jun 8, 2004

KnownRider said:
I'd like it be my daily driver although I do NOT drive to work. I have a garage a couple of miles up the road I could use in the winter. But would it be ok to keep it outside during the warmer months? My area is a very safe and leafy area of DC. Very hot and humid summers.

Bottom line, it's OK if it is OK with you. How long have you had the car? What has it's past life been like? Is the cowl water tight? Are all the weatherstrips in good condition? Can you hose it down without any leaks? If not, then I would not personally choose to risk it, but it is your call in the end. Cars do not survive 40 years being left to the wolves and won't survive another 40 that way either. Sure they can be rebuilt for a price and even brought back from the dead, but they are only original once. If you are torn let the level of originality and overall condition be the judge for you. All my floors and metal are still original and would likely rust in an eye blink, so my choice was easy.

KnownRider · Jun 8, 2004

I do not have one as of yet. I am contemplating fulfulling a lifelong dream of owning a classic Stang. Of course I am doing lots of research first and am calculating my limitations, lack of a garage being one of them. Not being in Texas or SoCal brings with it harsh weather issues and I am gauging popular opinion from the experts here.

I appreciate all opinions and comments. Thanks!

Brian68GT · Jun 8, 2004

I was faced with the same dilema when i bought mine. I had 2 choices.

Wait another 5 or so years until i buy my next house with a garage and possibly die in the meantime and never had the joy of owning a mustang.

Or

buy one now, love it, enjoy it, protect it with the best car cover money can buy and hope that in 4-5 years time a few thousand euros is all it will take to ensure the car continued life.

The choice is yours, but you only live once.

Snail50 · Jun 8, 2004

the only time mine sees the light of day is when I'm out driving it or washing it; the rest of the time it's in the garage.

rmrfstar · Jun 9, 2004

When I lived with my parents six years ago, my car was my daily driver and outside all of the time. Since then I have convinced my roommates to always let me have the car port. I will not do any body work or paint until I get it in a garage though. If I did not have the car port, I would now use a car cover all the time.

2nd Mustang · Jun 9, 2004

My Stang is stored in an OUTSIDE space at a local storage yard (inside unit cost around $200/month and I'm too cheap). I have a soft fabric car cover with eyelets on the front, center and rear to keep it tied down. I use a plastic tarp to cover the roof area with styro foam blocks to keep an air gap between the cloth tarp and plastic tarp and it also aids in letting rain water flow down quickly rather than pooling up on the roof. A good wax job is imperative when storing outside. When I remove the covers for the weekends, I just use a duster to clean off the loose dust and away I go. Using this method, I usuallly only have to wash the car about 4 times a year!

Ferf · Jun 9, 2004

I am not sure how handy you are or how much room you have on your property. However, my dad just built a small shed on our property for extra storage. He used the same siding and roof shingles that they have on the house. It looks really nice and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb like a lot of sheds do. It wouldn't have taken much more to make this shed a bit longer for it to fit a car into. Obviously, it wouldn't function like a full-size garage so that you can work on the car but it would give you somewhere safe to store it.

later,

Chris

KnownRider · Jun 9, 2004

That's the problem- I reside in an apartment. My mom lives up the road and I could keep it in her garage. The trade off is that I would have to travel 2 miles by subway or foot everytime I want to drive it. Otherwise it is renting something closer which is doable but will eat into my budget.

I can resign myself to keep it there in the winter. But I am wondering if I could compromise and park it near me during the warmer months. My area is very safe and actually quite wooded for an urban area. Plenty of shade and mostly private homes. Plenty of parking, so no bumper to bumper situation. I would grab the best cover money could buy.

Pakrat · Jun 9, 2004

Well, it's not the prefered method of storage, but sometimes sacrafices have to be made so that life may be enjoyed. It took me another 16 years to buy the car I wanted since I was 16, and the last 2 years were spent interviewing the potential candidates before I decided on the one, so don't rush the process either. Below are some links that can maybe help you realize your dream. Good luck!

www.jjbest.com
www.hagerty.com

KnownRider · Jun 9, 2004

Thanks!

Snail50 · Jun 9, 2004

Pakrat said:
Well, it's not the prefered method of storage, but sometimes sacrafices have to be made so that life may be enjoyed. It took me another 16 years to buy the car I wanted since I was 16, and the last 2 years were spent interviewing the potential candidates before I decided on the one, so don't rush the process either. Below are some links that can maybe help you realize your dream. Good luck!

www.jjbest.com
www.hagerty.com

Momentary Hi-jack, but is Hagerty a good insurance company? I'd like to get additional insurance on my 67, but haven't had time to research it.

Pakrat · Jun 10, 2004

I for one could not be happier with Hagerty. I have yet to be in a position of filing a claim but those I know who have, had 100% satisfaction. They really understand and care about our hobby. They have some strict requirements that you must meet to be approved, but that’s it. They do not put crazy small mileage limitations on you, hell you can go cross country to a show if you want, just let them know in advance is all they ask. My policy was for a full agreed value of $16,500, with a zero deductable and total coverage, for this they charge me $125 a year. How can you go wrong?

MustangPaul · Jun 10, 2004

KnownRider said:
My area is a very safe and leafy area of DC.

Leafy equals crap in your cowl. Crap in your cowl equals headaches of monumental proportions.

Old cars love to be inside. When we bought our house, I told my wife that she could have any house she wanted, but it had to have to have a 2 car garage--mandatory. My stang goes to work with me every day, but she is locked up safe and sound at night.

Don't forget a fire alarm and burgular alarm in your garage, too.

--Paul

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