I have been thinking of how I can preserve the FVRS when it is retired and big turboed next year. The plan had always been to have a garage on out house extension, however, SWMBO has decreed that we are now having a utility and extra living space :(

Can anyone suggest long term options for storing a second car? We have enough space for 4 cars on the drive - so room is no issue. However, weathering, paintwork fade and all the damage the elements would inflict would make any long-term project less enjoyable and practical.

Are car covers any good? I have seen breathable ones advertised before, fleecy lined ones which don

Is a lean-to carport an option (does your drive go down the side of the house?). I would think you would want to promote air circulation round the car, so a close-fitting cover isn't what you want, and however fluffy the underside was, the cover blowing around in the wind would be bound to mar the paintwork eventually.

My dad used to have a collapsible pram canopy affair which covered our first car. Not very pretty, but certainly effective provided you don't need to be able to drive past/over the car cover.

Alternatively, I see Tescos have gazebos for under £15...

What about something like this....

Welcome to Carcoon Storage Systems the future of car storage and protection

Perhaps not the cheapest option, and I don't have any experience with them, but they look quite interesting.

What about something like this....

Welcome to Carcoon Storage Systems the future of car storage and protection

Perhaps not the cheapest option, and I don't have any experience with them, but they look quite interesting.

Wow. How ingenious. Looks like a real-size tonka toy in its box

I like the carcoon.

Whatever you do dont use a car cover like the ones in halfords, they have a tendancy to rub against the paint in wind like sandpaper taking all the paint off, or scratching it badly.

Why preserve, rather than just use or sell on etc? Just wondering. Surely unless it's in one of those ultra dry Sahara dugouts, it will deteriorate anyway? They do say that even garaging overnight restricts airflow. Sure paintwork has a longer timespan these days, but not every car part has.

FWIW there tends to be an assocation with cars outside under covers with some sort of shady deal - i.e. nicked, or might even be worth nicking...

Mo

What about something like this....

Welcome to Carcoon Storage Systems the future of car storage and protection

Perhaps not the cheapest option, and I don't have any experience with them, but they look quite interesting.

This requires a building to put it in

This requires a building to put it in

They do an outdoor version too - I just posted the pic of the indoor one as it demonstrates the concept a bit better!

I'd look to a carport option, or something 'carcoon-esque'. I've never been a fan of the traditional car covers, as you'd want a fleece lined one or equivalent, which would then really require you to have the car clean every time you used it. Not that practicial, I would have thought.

Steve

Thanks for the replys.

Unfortunately car port not an option any more. The reason I used the word preserve was that I want to make a really good job of this car. I’ve had loads of 'half-projects' and it would be nice to spend a few years making a really good job of this one. It would not be a daily driver - I cover too many miles at about 30K a year.

Looks like its back to the drawing board...

I'd look to a carport option, or something 'carcoon-esque'. I've never been a fan of the traditional car covers, as you'd want a fleece lined one or equivalent, which would then really require you to have the car clean every time you used it. Not that practicial, I would have thought.

Steve

Yeah, my Corrado lives under a fitted cover most of the time. It's a breathable soft cloth dust cover, as the car is in a garage (along with loads of junk, and my workbenches, hence the need for a cover). It protects the car well, and prevents dust and spray etc, but I have to wash the car every time I use it, if I want to put the cover on. Can be a bit of a pain in the *** really, but not too many other options.

Phil

The inflatable covers work well but need a constant power supply to keep air circulating. Not sure if they degrade being outside.

Funky