Storing outside in the winter
 

I need to store my Model A outside this coming winter, and am wondering if anyone else does this? If so, what do you suggest?

It will be under my deck, so it will be protected from the big snowfalls (Pennsylvania), but it'll still be out there.

Does anyone know anything about those thick vinyl/plastic bubbles that you can park your car in? I've seen them at Hershey, but never really looked into them. Anyone use one? Any idea where I can get more info on them? I can't find them on the web (not sure how to search for them, though, either!).

Thanks,
Jon

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

look for something like this in the states..kinda expensive but worth the money and keeps the snow and wet stuff off the car
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

Make sure you have drain ALL water out of the engine (Crack block) and replace with antifreeze for over the winter. Plug up the tail pipe and anywhere mice can get inside. Moth balls were a good friend to us when we had our’s outside.

Jack the car off the ground and make sure you fill the gas right to the top and add fuel stabilizer to it.

If you don’t buy a outside garage type cover watch you don’t over wrap the vehicle with covers.. in the later part of the winter/spring moister can get trapped in the vehicle and cause more harm than good. Have to allow the vehicle to breath.

Anyways I’m sure other will have advise.


Justin

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

I would suggest finding some sort of protection from falling precip from above / run-off & melting from the deck that will still allow air to circulate around the car.

Also important would be good drainage underneath the vehicle.

I would also suggest liberal application of mothballs inside the cabin and in the trunk / rumble area, to discourage critters from taking-up winter residence there...

I'd be a little bit leery of putting a car with all of its fluids into what amounts to a sealed container, especially with these new fuels with ethanol and goodness-knows what else, that might off-gas and destroy paint, upholstery, rubber, etc.

Mine spent last winter outdoors, but it is kind of a shabby on the outside, and we were also proving a point by keeping it going thru at least one winter.

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

It would be good if you could put a tarp on the deck floor so as to leave the top of the car open to breath. Some moisture on its roof won't hurt, but of you tarp the car it will trap moisture under it. A friend tarped a '29 Peerless outdoors for three years. The roof, headliner, bows, and interior were all rotten afterward. Ventilate the inside of the car also and cap the tailpipe. Mouse poison insde changed at times so it doesn't get soggy. If on dirt or sod, lay down plastic on the ground.

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

Interesting answers. Where do you suppose all the people who bought Model A's back in the day who didn't have a garage or deck or "bubble" parked them???
paul in CT

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

My first "A" was a '31AA 280A, wouldn't fit in my dad's garage -- it was too tall. (I actually got it in there once by letting the air out of the tires, but that's a whole 'nuther story). So basically it stayed outside all the time.

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

If you ever consider buying a trailer, buy an enclosed one. Would work as a storage shed for your A.

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

My brother always recommends using mouse bait in the engine compartment to keep the mice from chewing wiring and other items of importance.

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

I leave mine out all winter all I do is start her up once every two days or once a week and drive her around the back yard i made a set of snow chains for mine and use it when it snows to run up and down the back drive way to pack down/ though the snow out of the way so my jeep can make it up the hill the weight of the snow wont do a dam to her only thing that will is rock salt so if you stay in your yard your fine (I personally think its nuts to hide a car because of snow) they were designed for it. and after 80 years of it whats another. plus snow drivings a blast make sure you have chains though i got mine stuck up to its running boards in this past year after the first snow when i decided chains cost to much and i dident want to make them (they turned out to be real easy to make) just make shure to wash off the rock salt on warmer days

Re: Storing outside in the winter
 

In 1952 I bought a 1931 Model A Tudor. We had a single car garage and my Dad had a brand new car. Guess which one got to stay in the garage.

The Model A, though sitting out side all Winter (Chicago area, Chicago Winters) started every morning so that I could drive it to school.

As suggested previously, drive it all Winter long and enjoy it.