Would keeping a late '70s Trans Am outdoors be foolish?

[Buffy d]

I've currently got a '99 Z28, which I've not had long, am really enjoying and have lots of plans for, but can't help thinking ahead and would love a late '70s 6.6 Trans Am in the near future. I know they rust like nobody's business, though, and with no useable car-sized garage available to me, would it be silly to buy one and keep it on the drive? I have visions of it leaking, rusting, falling apart and just generally being a silly thing to have bought without somewhere warm and dry to keep it.

[Huffy]

I think you will encounter varying views> In some respect you may find that the rate deterioration is to a degree dependent on the condition of the car to begin with as well as the amount of use it gets. I would love another classic but have reservations on long term outside storage with no protection at all (I used to have a 65 Mustang but back then had a rented a garage) and for that reason currently have a 2000 Mustang.

There was some debate on this topic recently on the Mustang owners club and the carcoon seems well thought of by some http://www.mocgb.net/forums/showthread.php?71951-C...
Equally you could consider a a standard outdoor car cover although some have found these can cause blistering and as it is in contact with the paint the car needs to be clean and dry before being covered and movement need to be minimised.

Any scope for a carport? - I always though that may be a good compromise but unfortunately that is also not an option for me at the moment

[irocfan]

look for a farmer who'll rent you park of his barn or find someone renting a lock-up?

[Ginja]

A vote for the carcoon from me, but make sure its sheltered and don't put the car away wet if you can help it - regardless of what they say!

[fatboy18]

Buffy d said:

I've currently got a '99 Z28, which I've not had long, am really enjoying and have lots of plans for, but can't help thinking ahead and would love a late '70s 6.6 Trans Am in the near future. I know they rust like nobody's business, though, and with no useable car-sized garage available to me, would it be silly to buy one and keep it on the drive? I have visions of it leaking, rusting, falling apart and just generally being a silly thing to have bought without somewhere warm and dry to keep it.

I used to have a F body 1976 Chevy Camaro which I had as a daily driver for 4,1/2 years. They have become Classics now and are prone to rust in a few areas. One area that gets bad is the rear window, the rear window is bonded onto the frame and there is a gap between the bottom of the window and where the window trim fits, in this hidden gap rain water collects as well as dirt and grime. there are supposed to be drainage holes but over the years these clog up with dirt and this creates a rust prone area. I had to remove my rear window and get new steel welded in place then respray area and rebond window (professionally done). My car suffered with rust around the door handle too (Rusted from within the door panel) Looked fine on the outside until I went to open the door and the whole handle came away from the door!

Rust aside, I loved mine. Happy Days

I would recommend a good breathable car cover that is waterproof if you don't have a garage available



Still got the CB Aerial and Radio

[Buffy d]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

[fatboy18]

Buffy d said:

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Well don't forget to post pics if you buy it

[Buffy d]

fatboy18 said:

Well don't forget to post pics if you buy it

I think the Z28 is going to keep me busy for a while yet, but if I do buy one I will definitely put some pics up, too nice not to share!

[fatboy18]