VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Car cover for '38 two-door

Any suggestions on where to buy/what is the best kind of car cover for a '38 tudor? I need to cover it outside briefly. I've seen some on e-bay, anybody know how those are? Thanks.

On occasion I get a catalog from an outfit called California Car Cover. I've not used their product since my 38 is garaged but that's another possible source.

I'VE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH CALIFORNIA CAR COVER. VERY GOOD QUALITY BUT A LITTLE PRICEY. THEY WILL ALSO SEND YOU A FREE CATALOG. THERE WEB SITE IS. www.calcarcover.com........

Hi, Don't know what you intend to cover the car with, but here is my sad story. Car was outside and covered with a tarp. The tarp kept the rain off it, but caused moisture to form under the tarp. Then the sun shined on it and increased the moisture under the tarp. Long story short: The hot to cold and back and the paint had pimples all over the top.

If you intend to store outside for any length of time you need to place some objects under the tarp to allow ventilation.

Thanks for the source and the tips. I've read that tarps can be harmful. Currently, I have it covered with blue plastic tarps but there are sheets and quilts on top of the car. I'm trying not to leave it in this state long, but lately, nothing works as quickly as I want it to. I'll check out the source. Looks like this will cost more than I expected.
Is there a way to enlarge, click on the member's photos on the left? Some neats cars there.

Taylor,

I have car covers from two different car cover companies that are both in the So Cal area. One is (definitely) called California Car Cover Co. Their top of the line cover, I believe to be called Plush-Weave, is pretty nice. But expensive. For a smaller size car like a 38 two door, I figure around $200.

The other co has a similar name and I'm not 100% sure, but it's something like Beverly Hills Car Cover Co. I don't know about their 'best' ones and prices and so on.

I've seen NICE used ones for sale at swap meets and so on for under $100. Here's one I googled....

USED Beverly Hills Car Co cover

I have 4-5 car covers but I've only ever purchased one car cover. One from California Car Cover Co. I bought it for so-called 1/2 price ($100 even as I recall) at the Portland swap meet. 1/2 price because it was an order that the guy never paid for. It's a very nice cover. Heavy; but very soft on the side that touches the car.

My thinking: regardless of how nice, how heavy, how whatever - I personally wouldn't think it would be a good idea to leave even a covered car outside for very long. Especially this time of year. Unless it was in AZ or some sort of "mild" climate. Definitely not in a rainy area like OR or WA.

And, of course, NEVER under a "plastic" tarp situation of any kind. That a sure disaster just waiting to happen. Condensation, mold, green slim, etc. etc. I'm sure you saw Ray's post above....

Sorry for not so good news. 1. Covers are expensive. 2. Even good car covers aren't really built for outdoor nasty weather conditions. 3. Plastic tarps are definitely a real no-no.

Bill.

Here's a little something else I found on the www. It was in the description of another car cover for sale on Craig's list.


The name I "guessed" at Beverly Hills Car Cover Co was pretty close. But no matter whether close or not. Per the ad on Craig's List, they're NO longer in business....

For long term outside storage using any cloth cover (especially tarps) it is better to keep the cover from touching the car and be pitched so that any moisture drains away from the car. Also leave ventilation around the lower edges (dont seal the bottom).
Tony

A friend of mine covered his car with an expensive, name brand, well fitting cover and put it outside for a couple of months in the winter. When he uncovered it in the spring, much to his dismay, the paint had been rubbed through in several places.

Another good reason to space the tarp off the car.
Tony

I bought a Cal. Car Cover 3 years ago. It fits my '41 Coupe very very well.

While I live in the even temp So. Cal. climate and keep my car indoors the cover I use is great.

I've also purchased a few things from Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories, Great guys and fun stuff, including car covers.

Enjoy!
Michael41

OK. How do you keep the cover from touching the car? Does puting something like cloth between it and the car count or is there another way? Thanks for all the advice.

I would make a light frame to support and tie the tarp to.
Tony

Check into buying one of the temporary garages I have used a 20x10 to cover my boat rather than put it inside every night. I have never had good luck using a car cover outside, they will wear the paint when the wind blowsand cause condensation on the car.
I keep my cars inside a insulated garage and use an el cheapo cover from Walmart on each car to keep the dust from settleing on them with good results.

Taylor,

I'm afraid the bottom line on car covers is they're basically (just) for indoor use. At least not for more than just a night or two, here-and-there for outside use.

One of my boys is renting a temporary storage "box" to store furniture, appliances, etc. while they're doing some remodeling to their house. They delivered the thing right to his back yard. The one he got is pretty good-sized. Might even fit for a car.

PODS - Portable On Demand Storage

PODS is the name on the side of the box. It looks just like this. I suppose it costs more than a cover. But no cover hassles. No hassles building a make-shift "shed." Etc. Etc.

Might be just what you need....

Bill.