How to Store Classic Cars

For many people, owning a classic car is a dream come true. If you are a car enthusiast, you may have had your eye on a specific make and model for years – if not decades. When you are finally able to make the purchase, either because you saved up the money or because the vehicle became available, it’s a huge thrill.

Of course, with the ownership of a classic car also comes some responsibility. Specifically, you’ll need to have a suitable place to store your car when it is not in use. One great option for storage is a metal structure from Carport Kingdom. We offer a handy Build & Price tool here on our site so you can customize a building to perfectly suit your needs. We are always happy to help with any questions you may have, so just contact us at your convenience.   

Enemy Number One: The Elements

Without a doubt, the biggest concern you will have when storing a classic car is Mother Nature. You need to keep this vehicle away from harsh weather conditions to protect it over the long run. Not only does that mean keeping it out of the rain and snow, but it also means providing it shelter from the blazing hot summer sun. 

Naturally, parking your classic car indoors is the ideal solution. With something like a standalone steel garage from Carport Kingdom, you’ll have the perfect place to let the vehicle rest. Also, this garage will give you a comfortable space to work on the car, performing any maintenance or restorations that may be necessary. 

Dealing with Storage Periods

If you live in a seasonal climate where summers are dry and warm, but winters are rather harsh, you may only drive your classic car in the summer months. For people in that situation, it’s important to take some steps to protect the condition of the car before the storage period (the winter) arrives. Let’s take a look at some key points –

• Fuel and oil. One of the easiest ways to protect the condition of the vehicle while in storage is to deal with the fuel tank and the oil prior to parking it for months. On the fuel side, you’ll want to fill up the tank and use a fuel stabilizer. For oil, have the oil changed (or do it yourself) right before the storage period. 
• Use jacks. Letting your car sit in the same spot on its tires for months is a recipe to develop flat spots. Instead, use jack stands to get the vehicle up off the ground and allow the tires to relax. Also, fill the tires up to the appropriate air pressure.
• A thorough cleaning. Prior to storage is the best time to thoroughly clean your classic car both inside and out. If you leave it dirty when it goes into storage, that dirt and grime could do damage to the finish as the months go by. Also, it will be harder to get it clean when you are ready to take it out again in the following spring or summer. 

One other important point – you may want to remove the battery from the vehicle if you aren’t going to be using it any time soon. Leaving the battery in place could cause it to slowly drain throughout the winter and may lead to corrosion. 

A Clean Storage Environment

We have already highlighted the importance of storing your classic car indoors, but even an indoor setting could be damaging in some cases. For example, if you are planning to store your car in a garage that is also home to other activities – like woodworking or other types of projects – it may not be clean enough to properly store a classic car. 

Ideally, you’d like to store this vehicle in a clean, enclosed space. If that space can be dedicated to the storage of your car and nothing else, that would be best. With a garage in place that is used for nothing beyond this storage need, you can be sure that the car will always have a comfortable place to rest, whether for a night or the whole winter. 

No Time to Waste

For a classic car, spending even a single night out in the elements may be too much. This is a piece of history that you want to protect, so make sure enclosed storage is available for your prized possession as soon as possible. Carport Kingdom is able to offer quick turnaround times on many others, and our metal structures can be built in short order. Contact us today to get started on this exciting project!