Storing a classic 60s Mustang
Discussion
I'm in the process of nabbing myself a 1968 Mustang 289 Coupe and trying to sort all the logistics out. One thing I'm not certain about is overwinter storage. I don't intend to drive the car during the salting period of the year which means it will most likely need to be "put away" for a length of time.
Unfortunately I find myself in a bit of a pickle because I am in a new build home that has a dire garage, the garage is 4.85m x 2.1m. In theory the car will fit in here with 20cm to spare, but then nothing else will and I already have tools and stuff that I need to store. I also usually store my MX-5 in here over winter.
The car I am looking at is reasonbly fresh, it's had a bare metal glass out/engine out respray in 2021 and it's not undersealed. Weather seals are all new as is all the easy to replace chrome.
I think I have 4 options really.
1. Store it in the garage, use the vertical space to store all the exisitng things (wall mount, build something into the ceiling for uncommonly used things)
2. Store it outside on the drive
3. Store it in a rental garage or shipping container (won't be able to trickle charge it)
4. Don't buy one
I don't like number 4, obviously.
Is storing such a car outside over winter a stupid idea? Is the constant swings in temperatures going to cause damp build up inside and eventually mould? Will the chrome get eaten alive in short time?
This is all new to me, most of the conversations on the web people are either not in the UK or have big ass garages. I intend to have the car for at least 1 year, maybe 2. I want to tick "big American V8" off my bucket list before prices to buy and fuel them extend too far beyond my means.
Unfortunately I find myself in a bit of a pickle because I am in a new build home that has a dire garage, the garage is 4.85m x 2.1m. In theory the car will fit in here with 20cm to spare, but then nothing else will and I already have tools and stuff that I need to store. I also usually store my MX-5 in here over winter.
The car I am looking at is reasonbly fresh, it's had a bare metal glass out/engine out respray in 2021 and it's not undersealed. Weather seals are all new as is all the easy to replace chrome.
I think I have 4 options really.
1. Store it in the garage, use the vertical space to store all the exisitng things (wall mount, build something into the ceiling for uncommonly used things)
2. Store it outside on the drive
3. Store it in a rental garage or shipping container (won't be able to trickle charge it)
4. Don't buy one
I don't like number 4, obviously.
Is storing such a car outside over winter a stupid idea? Is the constant swings in temperatures going to cause damp build up inside and eventually mould? Will the chrome get eaten alive in short time?
This is all new to me, most of the conversations on the web people are either not in the UK or have big ass garages. I intend to have the car for at least 1 year, maybe 2. I want to tick "big American V8" off my bucket list before prices to buy and fuel them extend too far beyond my means.
I would have thought a classic car storage facility would be the way to go and leave your home garage free for storing the Mazda and other stuff.
A mate of mine has a 1966 one and he leaves it in one of those inflatable bubble things inside an unheated storage building.
A mate of mine has a 1966 one and he leaves it in one of those inflatable bubble things inside an unheated storage building.
Edited by Mark V GTD on Friday 16th May 17:43
I wouldn't store is outside unless in an outside carcoon type cover, if safe to us one with your outside space. If the chrome has been replaced (rather than rechromed), the currently available off the shelf items are pretty low quality and won't last long at all, and obviously there will be other issues with wear and tear and weather damage. Has the cowl been looked at and fully rust proofed, I wouldn't even consider leaving it outside if it hasn't. I don't know anyone who has done well with a fitted car cover, problems ranging from rubbed through paint to micro-blistering. Given the car has been resprayed I wouldn't therefore risk a fitted cover. So if you have a safe space to anchor and power a carcoon type cover outside storage could be ok, but otherwise I wouldn't.
I've known people use storage facilities, and they can be decent but it prevents use to some extent and old cars benefit massively from use - just to stop calipers seizing, seals drying out etc. If putting away a car for winter expect more maintenance than taking advantage of those nice winter days to grab a drive. You don't say where you are, as the volume of bad weather and road salt will affect how long it will be off the road anyway.
You didn't want option 4, so I think it would be option 1....but I doubt I've told you anything you didn't already know.
Out of interest, what are you doing to store the car when not in winter? Can't that arrangement carry on? I know MX5s rust but I'm sure that one of those would survive better outside than a '60s Mustang.
I've known people use storage facilities, and they can be decent but it prevents use to some extent and old cars benefit massively from use - just to stop calipers seizing, seals drying out etc. If putting away a car for winter expect more maintenance than taking advantage of those nice winter days to grab a drive. You don't say where you are, as the volume of bad weather and road salt will affect how long it will be off the road anyway.
You didn't want option 4, so I think it would be option 1....but I doubt I've told you anything you didn't already know.
Out of interest, what are you doing to store the car when not in winter? Can't that arrangement carry on? I know MX5s rust but I'm sure that one of those would survive better outside than a '60s Mustang.
Mark V GTD said:
I would have thought a classic car storage facility would be the way to go and leave your home garage free for storing the Mazda and other stuff.
A mate of mine has a 1966 one and he leaves it in one of those inflatable bubble things inside an I heated storage building.
I honestly thought a storage facility would be way out of my price range but it seems they start at £30 per week, which is really not bad. Cheaper than a Friday night at the pub haha.A mate of mine has a 1966 one and he leaves it in one of those inflatable bubble things inside an I heated storage building.
I would go with no 1, does it have to be a 68 Mustang?? Perhaps something smaller with a V8??
Also, as mentioned do use it in the winter on those gloriously dry sunny days, naturally check no recent salting. Classics are much better when used regularly, say at least once every 2 to 3 of weeks and a minimum of 10 miles to get all warmed through etc.
Also, as mentioned do use it in the winter on those gloriously dry sunny days, naturally check no recent salting. Classics are much better when used regularly, say at least once every 2 to 3 of weeks and a minimum of 10 miles to get all warmed through etc.
stang65 said:
I wouldn't store is outside unless in an outside carcoon type cover, if safe to us one with your outside space. If the chrome has been replaced (rather than rechromed), the currently available off the shelf items are pretty low quality and won't last long at all, and obviously there will be other issues with wear and tear and weather damage.
Wife will absolutely not tolerate a big bubble in the drive, I've already pissed her off enough with this whole adventure.I believe the chrome has been replaced not re-chromed. Seems to be the bumpers and grill, headlight surrounds and other trim pieces that are not bolt on are original and in good condition.
stang65 said:
Has the cowl been looked at and fully rust proofed, I wouldn't even consider leaving it outside if it hasn't. I don't know anyone who has done well with a fitted car cover, problems ranging from rubbed through paint to micro-blistering. Given the car has been resprayed I wouldn't therefore risk a fitted cover. So if you have a safe space to anchor and power a carcoon type cover outside storage could be ok, but otherwise I wouldn't.
No idea about the cowl, inside the engine bay has been plainted black and seam sealed all over. It seems madness to not tackle the cowl while at that right? I won't be using a car cover for these reasons as well.stang65 said:
I've known people use storage facilities, and they can be decent but it prevents use to some extent and old cars benefit massively from use - just to stop calipers seizing, seals drying out etc. If putting away a car for winter expect more maintenance than taking advantage of those nice winter days to grab a drive. You don't say where you are, as the volume of bad weather and road salt will affect how long it will be off the road anyway.
The storage facility I've found near me is near Edinburgh, I'm not sure what access is like on a whim. Looking at their website (Glenpark Car Storage) it seems to be focused on storage, rather than "parking". It would be nice if I was able to go get it if there looks to be a dry spell for a few days but this is something I would need to contact them about.stang65 said:
You didn't want option 4, so I think it would be option 1....but I doubt I've told you anything you didn't already know.
Out of interest, what are you doing to store the car when not in winter? Can't that arrangement carry on? I know MX5s rust but I'm sure that one of those would survive better outside than a '60s Mustang.
The car would be in my drive during the summer period, this is the part where you tell me that's just as bad as being out in the rain all winter lol.Out of interest, what are you doing to store the car when not in winter? Can't that arrangement carry on? I know MX5s rust but I'm sure that one of those would survive better outside than a '60s Mustang.
The MX-5 is a bit of a pain, it's got a fully stripped interior and doesn't do well in temperature swings. Moisture builds up on the bare metal and then I have to spend days cleaning my seat and harnesses. Could possibly take these out while the car naps for the winter mind you, but then they have to go somewhere.
I am also thinking option 1 as well though, it's just a bit sad that I'm going to have to put my MX-5 outside over winter. It's not exactly a clean car, it's already rusty, paint is all flakey and s
t. I just don't want to deal with mould.Mark A S said:
I would go with no 1, does it have to be a 68 Mustang?? Perhaps something smaller with a V8??
Also, as mentioned do use it in the winter on those gloriously dry sunny days, naturally check no recent salting. Classics are much better when used regularly, say at least once every 2 to 3 of weeks and a minimum of 10 miles to get all warmed through etc.
If I am being completely honest, I only looked at some other V8 alternatives like TVR. The styling of the 67-68 Mustang I really really like. So no it doesn't have to be a Mustang, but now that I've been looking at them, I've went and had a look at one...you're going to have a hard time converting me to something else. I know the American V8 sound isn't for everyone, I would have handed the owner the money right there and then after he started it if my wife wasn't with me.Also, as mentioned do use it in the winter on those gloriously dry sunny days, naturally check no recent salting. Classics are much better when used regularly, say at least once every 2 to 3 of weeks and a minimum of 10 miles to get all warmed through etc.
Given the cost to fuel these things, it would only really be getting used every other week anyway, maybe if we get weeks of sun it might go out weekly but for the most part it will be every 2-3 weeks + car shows. Owner claimed it gets between 120-150 miles to a tank and it's around £100 to fill.
EDIT: And the reason it's a 68, it just happens to be the year of one in my price range, anything 65-69 for the same style would also be fine. Not a huge fan of the 2nd gen unless I can pretend I'm John Wick (wives wording).
Edited by TheLoraxxZeus on Friday 16th May 10:02
I'm surprised your new build garage is so small.......is that a Scottish thing?
Down here in the south, almost all new builds with a single garage, they are sized at 6m x 3m.
I'd be going with option 1, but that's because car storage costs are way more expensive down here (double to treble) than what you've been quoted up in Edinburgh.
If you can afford the off-site storage (do they connect to a trickle charger?) then that would be the ideal option if you want to keep the Mazda as well.
Down here in the south, almost all new builds with a single garage, they are sized at 6m x 3m.
I'd be going with option 1, but that's because car storage costs are way more expensive down here (double to treble) than what you've been quoted up in Edinburgh.
If you can afford the off-site storage (do they connect to a trickle charger?) then that would be the ideal option if you want to keep the Mazda as well.
aeropilot said:
I'm surprised your new build garage is so small.......is that a Scottish thing?
Down here in the south, almost all new builds with a single garage, they are sized at 6m x 3m.
Seems to be a small detached house thing, the garage isn't stand alone. If you have a stand alone it's around the size you stated. Even then, it's still small even at 6m x 3m when you consider the size of a modern car. My house isn't big by any means, so the garage size sort of tracks with that.Down here in the south, almost all new builds with a single garage, they are sized at 6m x 3m.
It's a bit unfortunate, I had no interest in cars 5 years ago and the garage was big enough to fit a power rack and some gym stuff, which is all I cared about. Stuck with it now so is it what it is.
aeropilot said:
I'd be going with option 1, but that's because car storage costs are way more expensive down here (double to treble) than what you've been quoted up in Edinburgh.
If you can afford the off-site storage (do they connect to a trickle charger?) then that would be the ideal option if you want to keep the Mazda as well.
I think I'm going to go with option 1, they do trickle charge yeah and will even run it up to temperature every so often for you. Still, that comes out at £120 a month I could spend elsewhere. That £120 per month could be spend over the summer period to build storage on the walls/ceiling in the garage.If you can afford the off-site storage (do they connect to a trickle charger?) then that would be the ideal option if you want to keep the Mazda as well.
TheLoraxxZeus said:
stang65 said:
Has the cowl been looked at and fully rust proofed, I wouldn't even consider leaving it outside if it hasn't. I don't know anyone who has done well with a fitted car cover, problems ranging from rubbed through paint to micro-blistering. Given the car has been resprayed I wouldn't therefore risk a fitted cover. So if you have a safe space to anchor and power a carcoon type cover outside storage could be ok, but otherwise I wouldn't.
No idea about the cowl, inside the engine bay has been plainted black and seam sealed all over. It seems madness to not tackle the cowl while at that right? I won't be using a car cover for these reasons as well.stang65 said:
TheLoraxxZeus said:
stang65 said:
Has the cowl been looked at and fully rust proofed, I wouldn't even consider leaving it outside if it hasn't. I don't know anyone who has done well with a fitted car cover, problems ranging from rubbed through paint to micro-blistering. Given the car has been resprayed I wouldn't therefore risk a fitted cover. So if you have a safe space to anchor and power a carcoon type cover outside storage could be ok, but otherwise I wouldn't.
No idea about the cowl, inside the engine bay has been plainted black and seam sealed all over. It seems madness to not tackle the cowl while at that right? I won't be using a car cover for these reasons as well.
I know of someone that had their fingers burned some years back by buying a nice shiney '66 Mustang, which turned out to have a mullered cowl.
stang65 said:
Check this out. Do not by an early Mustang without checking the cowl. It is the only common problem that is a nightmare to fix, hence often gets missed. If you are not used to early Mustangs it can be difficult to spot, but once you know what to look for you can see if it is dodgy or not. If the cowl has been done they would no doubt tell you, the question will be whether it needs doing? There have been plenty of shiney cars with rotten cowls..... Google for what to look for as then you'll see video/images which will be a lot clearer than anything I can type.
Thanks, will watch some videos and then give the seller a message.Interesting thread as I keep thinking about getting a Mustang but it would be a recent one a few years old.
I'm in exactly the same situation, the GT86 fits the garage with just enough room to spare. A Mustang would probably need to be pushed in without being inside it and in any case I'm not selling the '86. So I'm thinking about where to keep a Mustang (should I decide to get one) over winter?
I'm in exactly the same situation, the GT86 fits the garage with just enough room to spare. A Mustang would probably need to be pushed in without being inside it and in any case I'm not selling the '86. So I'm thinking about where to keep a Mustang (should I decide to get one) over winter?
Have you ever actually driven one? No offence intended to early mustang aficionados but it may not quite live up to your expectations. It’s very easy to get drawn into the image portrayed in movies, but the reality can be somewhat different.
Perhaps rent one for a day and see how you feel about it after that? It’s going to be cheaper than buying then selling if the shine wears off quickly.
On storage - the only really viable solution is to store it in your small garage; anything else is going to get pretty “old” in a hurry. You need easy access to it or it’ll become a burden rather than a joy.
Perhaps rent one for a day and see how you feel about it after that? It’s going to be cheaper than buying then selling if the shine wears off quickly.
On storage - the only really viable solution is to store it in your small garage; anything else is going to get pretty “old” in a hurry. You need easy access to it or it’ll become a burden rather than a joy.
TheLoraxxZeus said:
If I am being completely honest, I only looked at some other V8 alternatives like TVR. The styling of the 67-68 Mustang I really really like. So no it doesn't have to be a Mustang, but now that I've been looking at them, I've went and had a look at one...you're going to have a hard time converting me to something else. I know the American V8 sound isn't for everyone, I would have handed the owner the money right there and then after he started it if my wife wasn't with me.
As has just been mentioned, Do try a 60's Mustang out before you buy, not everyone's cup of tea. They are nice to waft along in though. Edited by TheLoraxxZeus on Friday 16th May 10:02
Don't let all the horror stories about TVR's put you off, there are some Very good ones out there that have had a small fortune spent on them. There small, V8 versions make a lovely noise, a Chim of Griff are decent convertibles too with decent roofs for all that lovely Scottish weather.
Try one as well, you never know.
Best thing about them IMO, is zero understeer
@TheLoraxxZeus The cost of storage sites may mean the suggestion of getting your garage dug out, install a 2-level car lift would make more sense. No only would you have both cars safely under lock & key, it would also mean you could drive whichever when you wanted to.
The modern lifts are quite good, they're easy to install and you could drop a mains cable down to a trickle charger for whichever call is in use.
The modern lifts are quite good, they're easy to install and you could drop a mains cable down to a trickle charger for whichever call is in use.
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff