What is the best car cover for a Classic? I am moving and will be leaving my nice garage and carport behind. The plan is to build shelter for my cars, but for now they will be in the elements. So i figured I better get some protection for my little one. I need a good quality cover, but I also drive the car at least once a week, so I hope that it is not a total pain in the rear to get on and off.

Any suggestions?

 

Good question. I'd like to know also since I might be moving soon too...

 

something that i feel is a good cover, is a small boat cover, it's more of a vinyl than cloth....keeps moisture out better

 

True Norm, but when condensation forms under the cover and the car heats back up from the sun, you want that moisture to be able to escape rather than form a steam cooker....

Frankly I've never been a fan of covers after using one on my bike for a couple of years (back a while). When it got windy the thing would flap around and sometimes blow part way off ... in a worst case a buckle could get to slapping around. And then there's the issue of a wet cover, baking in the sun on the paint. Is that worse than dirt? I dunno...I decided it was bad so did away with it. A dust cover in a garage is something different.

However, if you want a good cover, you mght want to check out the selection at autosportcatalog.com

"with 100,000 patterns, we definitely have a perfect fit for your vehicle."...the web site doesn't list Mini, Austin or Morris but a phone call is cheap

They have 4 different 'grades' of indoor/outdoor covers....they are rated for breathablity vs ability to keep out dirt. (but not cheap)

 

some boat covers have vents in them as well to allow moisture out but no water in.....just depends i guess, spend time and research and you'll find the one that suits your needs

 

I have never been a big fan of covers either, but the car will be sitting out in the weather with minimal driving. I don't think our classic Minis need any more help rusting, so I figured a car cover would probably be a good idea.

 

My point exactly....

"I don't think our classic Minis need any more help rusting,"

capturing moisture and holding it under a cover...vs not....

holding moisture under a cover of a fiberglass boat vs a rust prone piece of steel????

 

I bought an excellent outdoor custom car cover from Covercraft via carcoversdirect.com

http://www.carcoversdirect.com/custo...rom=covercraft

I got a custom fit Blue Technalon Evolution for my classic wagon. Excellent fit. Good protection. Water resistant & breatheable. Four year warranty.

http://www.carcoversdirect.com/produ...p?materialID=4

Material selection guide:
http://www.carcoversdirect.com/files..._guide_out.pdf

 

just get a storage unit....that what i use for overflow

 

try this company http://www.harpster-canopies.com/aboutus.asp i bought a custom sized canopy and they had it to me in less than a week easy to set up and it has worked perfectly i use an oem cover on my car and it all works perfectly

 

As far as the paint and appearance goes, with a good wax/lsp on it, the sun is less harmful to the car than the friction with the car cover and whatever contaminants (read dirt) that get trapped in it. My recommendation would be something over the inside windows to keep the sun off the interior. Being a classic, don't know how much water intrusion is a problem but that would be the only reason I'd go for a cover.

 

The sun is horrendous on paint and bakes whatever contaminants fall on your car into the paint. Here in Tampa it oxidizes the paint pretty fast. The cover helps keep the car clean and shiny. It has not hurt my finish in any visible way. (single stage)

 

Brian,

I've got a cover I'm not using if you want to check it out. I don't use it anymore since I have a garage. Let me know.

Mike

 

The right answer is to keep the car clean, and find a breathable cover to keep the moisture out. With a clean car, there will be nothing to abrade the paint, but you're right about good quality wax. Use detaliers clay and paint cleaner before waxing though, or you'll just be waxing over contaiminents.

Jeff

 

Mike,

If you have a cover for a saloon and it is in good nik, i'm interested in it if Brians not.

Please let me know.

travis