Storing my Corvette
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 47
Likes: 11
Storing my Corvette
I have a 1979 C3, and I don't have a garage to keep it in.
Is it fine to let it be outside like other cars as long as I drive it frequently? I mean, it's a car, surely they weren't totally dependent on garages to maintain their looks/functionality right?
I just really need to know if it'll be fine or if it is absolutely necessary to get a garage or storage building of some type to keep it in when I am not using it.
Is it fine to let it be outside like other cars as long as I drive it frequently? I mean, it's a car, surely they weren't totally dependent on garages to maintain their looks/functionality right?
I just really need to know if it'll be fine or if it is absolutely necessary to get a garage or storage building of some type to keep it in when I am not using it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,700
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From: WI
What state to you live in? Some places are likely to be better than others.
They're not very water tight is what John A F (above) is getting at. And the damage sneaky water leaks (which you can't see) can be devastating. (Bird cage and/or floor rot). It's not going to rot overnight, but sure wouldn't do it any good. And you might have a mess to clean up (chewing up your time). Not to mention rodents.
Personally, I'd get creative and find some winter storage for it. I've had all sorts of things happen to vehicles sitting outside over the winter. Incl spring hail, someone back into it. Tree branches fall on it, vandalism, .....our neighbor had someone's trampoline get thrown by the wind and rolled into his vehicle. All sorts of unexpected and expensive things can occur. That would make the cost of storage pretty inexpensive. Maybe you know someone who has a spare garage space, or a commercial building you can put it in the corner?? Or even a rental storage place for 4 months.
They're not very water tight is what John A F (above) is getting at. And the damage sneaky water leaks (which you can't see) can be devastating. (Bird cage and/or floor rot). It's not going to rot overnight, but sure wouldn't do it any good. And you might have a mess to clean up (chewing up your time). Not to mention rodents.
Personally, I'd get creative and find some winter storage for it. I've had all sorts of things happen to vehicles sitting outside over the winter. Incl spring hail, someone back into it. Tree branches fall on it, vandalism, .....our neighbor had someone's trampoline get thrown by the wind and rolled into his vehicle. All sorts of unexpected and expensive things can occur. That would make the cost of storage pretty inexpensive. Maybe you know someone who has a spare garage space, or a commercial building you can put it in the corner?? Or even a rental storage place for 4 months.
Race Director
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Years ago I lived in Northern Wisconsin. My 77 sat outside, uncovered every summer for years. My T tops only leak if I am moving. So it was never a issue. I even seen Hail bounce off of it. Never hurt it.
And every winter it went into a rented garage. Except for a couple winters, then it sat under a cover, covered in snow.
I still have the car. I still drive this car. It still wins a occasional award.
And every winter it went into a rented garage. Except for a couple winters, then it sat under a cover, covered in snow.
I still have the car. I still drive this car. It still wins a occasional award.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2024
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Yeah they leak a little bit. In light rain they don't really let anything through, but in heavy rain they leak.
I do have an "outdoor" cover i spent like 180 some dollars on, but it made my paint bubble a little bit on the passenger side fender, so ive been using towels to put in the floorboards and on the seats to soak up some of the water, which i would then take the towels out and dry them.
I'm mainly concerned as to whether or not leaving it outside will cause it to start rusting badly or not.
As i said before, I doubt that would happen since its a car, and its meant to be able to withstand some weather, but i just wanna make sure.
I do have an "outdoor" cover i spent like 180 some dollars on, but it made my paint bubble a little bit on the passenger side fender, so ive been using towels to put in the floorboards and on the seats to soak up some of the water, which i would then take the towels out and dry them.
I'm mainly concerned as to whether or not leaving it outside will cause it to start rusting badly or not.
As i said before, I doubt that would happen since its a car, and its meant to be able to withstand some weather, but i just wanna make sure.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
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From: US-PNW
Yeah they leak a little bit. In light rain they don't really let anything through, but in heavy rain they leak.
I do have an "outdoor" cover i spent like 180 some dollars on, but it made my paint bubble a little bit on the passenger side fender, so ive been using towels to put in the floorboards and on the seats to soak up some of the water, which i would then take the towels out and dry them.
I'm mainly concerned as to whether or not leaving it outside will cause it to start rusting badly or not.
As i said before, I doubt that would happen since its a car, and its meant to be able to withstand some weather, but i just wanna make sure.
I do have an "outdoor" cover i spent like 180 some dollars on, but it made my paint bubble a little bit on the passenger side fender, so ive been using towels to put in the floorboards and on the seats to soak up some of the water, which i would then take the towels out and dry them.
I'm mainly concerned as to whether or not leaving it outside will cause it to start rusting badly or not.
As i said before, I doubt that would happen since its a car, and its meant to be able to withstand some weather, but i just wanna make sure.
Be aware that long-term moisture inside will cause rot and mildew of the seats, door panels, and carpets. My '72 really stunk and the interior had to be gutted and replaced.
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Drifting
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From: Wisconsin
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Buy a tent garage and if on dirt/grass lay a tarp down. Put a couple arm & hammer moisture and odor absorbers in the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: WI
A cover at the minimum I would say.
I bought a couple 'cheap' car covers yrs ago from Menards which were water-proof & felt-lined. They've worked great on other vehicles I've left outside. But you almost need to wash them out in a big tub with warm soapy water, once a year, and let dry, bc they DO get a lot of dust and 'grit' in them. You'd be surprised how much dust/dirt comes off them when ya wash them! The water will be real brown. And that dust/dirt can scratch the paint eventually esp on windy days where the cover is blowing around. So that's a maintenance thing to be aware of. But the Menards covers have lasted many yrs with care.
There might be other covers with a more vinyl exterior which wouldn't do that.
I bought a couple 'cheap' car covers yrs ago from Menards which were water-proof & felt-lined. They've worked great on other vehicles I've left outside. But you almost need to wash them out in a big tub with warm soapy water, once a year, and let dry, bc they DO get a lot of dust and 'grit' in them. You'd be surprised how much dust/dirt comes off them when ya wash them! The water will be real brown. And that dust/dirt can scratch the paint eventually esp on windy days where the cover is blowing around. So that's a maintenance thing to be aware of. But the Menards covers have lasted many yrs with care.
There might be other covers with a more vinyl exterior which wouldn't do that.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 104
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
most U-Store kind of places will allow you to store a vehicle if you can show the current registration and insurance for the vehicle. cheap insurance for a 45 yr old vehicle. yes they were production cars, but over the years, if left to the elements, they develop issues like any other cars would. i have owned corvettes all my adult life (i'm 80) and i have yet to see one that didn't leak somewhere. the fact that you recognize that they "leak a little bit" means that they they have the potential to leak a lot sometimes. remember that in the cold, those t-top seal that leak a little will become stiff and could be a real problem. it can never be considered good to have it outside, bare, piled up in snow that goes through the melt/freeze cycle a few time before you can get to it, or a wind blown heavy rain storm. the fact that you need towels to "soak up" the water isn't in my opinion a small leak. leaving the towels in contact with the seat materials can't be helping them, and any water siting on the floors can't be either. sure you can leave it outside prepared however you are comfortable with, but it really comes down to a pay me now or pay me later deal. in the long run, it's much less expensive to pay for some short term storage (however you can arrange it) now that deal with the damage and repairs later in my opinion.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2024
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As your experience shows, using a cover on an outdoor car can be problematic. They tend to trap moisture and can stick to the paint. I'd not use a cover for weather protection. If you choose to leave it outside, make sure you're not parking over dirt or grass which would hold moisture and cause frame and suspension rust.
Be aware that long-term moisture inside will cause rot and mildew of the seats, door panels, and carpets. My '72 really stunk and the interior had to be gutted and replaced.
Be aware that long-term moisture inside will cause rot and mildew of the seats, door panels, and carpets. My '72 really stunk and the interior had to be gutted and replaced.
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From: NNCC No Name Car Crew; Owned 1 C2, 2 C3's, 1 C4, 3 C5's, 1 C6, 2 C7's; Now '86, '03; S. DE
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If feasible, I'd opt for the U-Storage places like mentioned, secure and dry.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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And buy some sort of rodent control, they will get in and build a nest in your heater and eat your wires. I was going to mention the grass or dirt as a no go. The big thing about th eT tops leaking is that they are leaking and its running down along the inside of your windshield frame and down into your birdcage mounts....I would try and treat that area with a spray in rust preventative coating that is more like an oily wax than a paint
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: WI
I thought initially you were talking Winter-Storage. Yeah, just get a car cover. One that won't blow around, is water repellent, and 'breathes'. Take real good care when you take it off and put it on that it NEVER touches the ground where it might pick up grit which could scratch the paint. If the paint is in good condition. If you drive the car somewhat regularly mice won't inhabit it. Bounce dryer sheets have a smell rodent can't stand. Put some sheets in there, they wont inhabit it. 
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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we have mice in our lawn equipement weeekly so I guess its how rural you are... I would definitely try something
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: WI
I've got a cornfield in the back yard.... LOL. I didn't say they wouldn't go in he he. But if the OP drives it regularly (which most guys don't) they don't like the motion and will generally move out. But still, I'd put in some bounce dryer sheets. But they can still make a mess in other areas (like chewing wire in the engine compartment...making a nest on top of the gas tank, etc).
Maybe it's time for the OP to get serious about start saving up for a house/garage.
Maybe it's time for the OP to get serious about start saving up for a house/garage.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
Cover it on the nice days and drape a plastic tarp over it on rainy days.
Like Rescue said, the water leaking down the windshield frame and to the lower birdcage and body mounts will destroy them.
Rodent control is another issue.
Chilly pepper flakes, like you get at your local pizza place work good.
They are messy but the mice, rats and other rodents hate them.
If you can’t afford storage, protect it as best as you can.
Do you have the option for covered parking at your apartment complex or paying extra for a single car garage?
Many apartment complexes do, so if yours doesn’t offer it as an option, find a different complex that does.
Even parking it under a carport is better than nothing.
Like Rescue said, the water leaking down the windshield frame and to the lower birdcage and body mounts will destroy them.
Rodent control is another issue.
Chilly pepper flakes, like you get at your local pizza place work good.
They are messy but the mice, rats and other rodents hate them.
If you can’t afford storage, protect it as best as you can.
Do you have the option for covered parking at your apartment complex or paying extra for a single car garage?
Many apartment complexes do, so if yours doesn’t offer it as an option, find a different complex that does.
Even parking it under a carport is better than nothing.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2022
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From: Virginia
A neighbor has one of these for his convertible Chevelle.
https://ikuby.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopd3...C0MaEjQ6XhaFNJ
https://ikuby.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopd3...C0MaEjQ6XhaFNJ