How to store a vehicle for future restore

J

JC Daniel

Promoted Users
I am getting ready to buy a 1969 COMARO to restore, Would it be ok to park it on rubber and cover with a tarp in my gravel driveway?
 
I have a couple cars in a semi trailer at an RV storage place, and checked on them last week after 20 years. I did some welding on one of them and ground in flat, but forgot to prime it before going in storage, those spots have some color now but its not rusting. I live in Michigan, but I think its because its off the ground , dry, and vented. Have you checked harbor freight for a tent?
 
i had bought & sadly junked a caddy coupe because owner left it on grass for a few yrs and everything i mean everything rotted out to death.
My advice is be sure it's got room to breath under it. Maybe put blocks under wheels.
 
How long will you be storing it? Or are you working on it periodically but need to keep it outside? I would try to keep the rain off it, but let moisture dry out of it when needed. That is, don't wrap it in a tarp and trap in moisture, the car will rust away.
 
Long term, tarping it will help but also hurt the situation. The tarp will keep the direct rain and snow off but it will hurt with allowing moisture to evaporate. That will eventually cause more issues than it being rained on and drying out. Have you checked what a storage unit would cost? Mainly because like Eddie I had a early 1970 240Z that I lost because it was stored outside. Nice car when I parked it, it rotted away in the course of a few years. I still kick myself over that. So I bit the bullet and have 2 in storage units now. I got a good deal on a 10x20 recently for $60 per month.
If you are simply needing to store it short term (around 6 months or so) I'd say that storing it out side without a tarp would be what I would do. Now if it isn't weatherproof (missing glass etc) then that is different. Perhaps take the tarp off at regular intervals and let the car dry.
 
I will be working on it pretty regular between other jobs, I want to keep the car as it is without causing any other issues with storing it the wrong way. I have a tractor shed that I can make room in to store it while in between jobs, My wife said " why don't you clean out the tractor shed"? Duh, I am so happy to get this car and be able to put it back on the road, I have looked a long time for a muscle car and finally found one. $8000.00 with new carpet and interior, Dash is excellent but I don't like the fuel cell in the trunk.I'll have to get that out and replace with a regular tank, As always you guys are the best!
 
Yeah Eddie, It is a nice car that I have looked a long time for and it showed up 30 minutes from me. I look forward to making this jewel back to what it once was. I'm not sure it has the right motor though, It has a built 350 BB but I was under the impression this car came with a 396? I still have to run some numbers before I exchange money for the car.
 
If it's a solid body, with a new interior, I wouldn't look too hard at the numbers. It would be at my place!

There is no Chevy 350 BB, the V8 options for the car were 327 (early base V8), 307 (late base V8), 302 (Z28), 350 (SS or LM1), or any one of 3 396 Big Blocks (SS); excluding COPO orders. Shoot me a PM if I can help decode anything for you.
 
Thanks a lot Leonard, The car has a solid body and is in very good condition with quite a few new parts inside. My dad who knows nothing about cars says that the 69 is not worth $8000.00, Sorry for the disagreement dad because it will be here.
 
JC Daniel said:
Thanks a lot Leonard, The car has a solid body and is in very good condition with quite a few new parts inside. My dad who knows nothing about cars says that the 69 is not worth $8000.00, Sorry for the disagreement dad because it will be here.
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Maybe your dad needs to catch few of the current car shows that is ruining the selling price on cars for us would be restorers.

I would not give 500 for a car that the claim they got for 5000. Then its mere minutes before they put 20k into it. Most of them start with a brand new frame anyway. Either way, since the interior is the great part so far, maybe some conditioner or something inside to protect it, like alot of plastic would be a good start.

The only person that has to be happy about it is you, because when its finished, it will be priceless to you.
 
The title and vin numbers match which does date it to 1969, The car is going for 30-40 thousand around here in restored condition so 8000.00 is a great buy if you ask me.
 
Look it over and under good twice. Is bottom sprayed heavily with deadening material, lift carpets see floor, trunk, matching drivetrain (if it matters to you), was it "restored" already,
Go slow if you thought 350 is a bb.
Take a dozen photos & post here.
 
It was going to be used as a drag car by the guy before but sold it to the guy I have been talking to. I really appreciate you guiding me on this Eddie because I have no knowledge at all on this one. Hopefully I will be able to get some pics next week if I am healed up enough.
 
As a novice old car buyer I think one of the main things I will do on my next purchase is go over the exterior with a paint thickness gauge, especially the rear quarters!
 
I am really wanting the car but believe me, I do not know one thing about buying this car. Thanks to Eddie and the rest of you guys I have some guidance.
 
Just a thought on the original topic. When you store it, think about how to keep the critters from getting in it. the damage they can do can be bad. ~BOB
 
When you mentioned someone turning it into a drag car, you have to look at what they did to cut weight and what needs to be replaced to get it back to being worth that 30 grand restored value if it is right.
Dont put too much into that nice interior. Go surf around sites to see carpet is 200, headliners are 70, and seat covers and foam are readily available before that sells you this car. It just seems like you want it too bad that you are going to look past the important stuff.
 
I have a friend who has been doing restorations for quite a few years that is going to look with me, I am not 100% sold on the car yet. As Eddie pointed out there are some things that have to be check out first and then the decision will be made as to buy or pass. My friend told me that this guy that has the car is a wheeler and dealer in the trade so he said he wanted to go with me to inspect the car for himself. Yes I would love to have the car but if there is any doubt about it I will pass it up, Thanks guys for the input and help on this very important "to me" decision.
 
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