Kitcar owning - no garage
Discussion
Let say im thinking of getting a kit car ( already built ), something super 7 shape, for under 5k. Now, i dont have a garage. Got a double drive tho. Hard question, would it survive in the weather ? Im thinking to get like a tonneau cover for it, nut much else i can think of.
Any other experiences like this ? Would it be safe enough ?
Any other experiences like this ? Would it be safe enough ?
I had no garage when I bought my first Westfield (which I ran as an everyday car).
I couldn't recommend it as best-practice, of course, but I didn't have any real problems. I kept it roof off with just a tonneau cover, but beyond having to mop up a few drips of water that leaked through the tonneau onto the vinyl seats when it rained, it was pretty weatherproof.
For security, I would fit both a hidden ignition cut-out and a fuel tap (the latter so that if they manage to get it started, it'll only run a few yards on the fuel in the carbs before dying), but again I didn't have any problems despite living on a Housing Association development at the time.
I couldn't recommend it as best-practice, of course, but I didn't have any real problems. I kept it roof off with just a tonneau cover, but beyond having to mop up a few drips of water that leaked through the tonneau onto the vinyl seats when it rained, it was pretty weatherproof.
For security, I would fit both a hidden ignition cut-out and a fuel tap (the latter so that if they manage to get it started, it'll only run a few yards on the fuel in the carbs before dying), but again I didn't have any problems despite living on a Housing Association development at the time.
My seven sits outdoors as i have no garage, isolater switch fitted and covered with waterproof cover. During last decembers snow here in Scotland it was completely covered,(will post photo soon)dug 3 feet of drifted snow away from doors, turned key and it burst into life. Sevens or indeed kit cars are for enjoying so dont let the lack of a garage put you off and by the way my insurance company had no concerns about lack of garage.
Tonneau cover is a must. But just also make sure you dont have carpet and definately drill some holes in the floor. I used to keep a bit of foam in the seven. My right knee would rest against it whilst on long drives but it was easy to soak up any water and squeeze out.
Side windows that clip onto a full size screen are fantastic. It is like driving a normal car and you barely get wet in the rain whilst driving. Your right arm stays dry too which is exciting. A full roof can be an option. I made one myself with a bit of vinyl. Clipped to the windscreen and to the roll bar.
Other than that, as your front end will be constantly exposed I would keep some phosphoric acid on hand. Making sure everything that should be painted is, if you put some phos acid on a cloth and rub bits that you cant paint it will go a long way to protecting it. Things like exposed threads and nuts and bolts.
May I also suggest getting some whiteout (poms call it Tippex or something?) and marking all major bolts to easily see if anything is loose. Saves you having to get a socket onto it to check every now and again.
Getting a quick release steering wheel is a good anti theft device.
Hope that helps. You wont regret having one. An absolute blast.
Side windows that clip onto a full size screen are fantastic. It is like driving a normal car and you barely get wet in the rain whilst driving. Your right arm stays dry too which is exciting. A full roof can be an option. I made one myself with a bit of vinyl. Clipped to the windscreen and to the roll bar.
Other than that, as your front end will be constantly exposed I would keep some phosphoric acid on hand. Making sure everything that should be painted is, if you put some phos acid on a cloth and rub bits that you cant paint it will go a long way to protecting it. Things like exposed threads and nuts and bolts.
May I also suggest getting some whiteout (poms call it Tippex or something?) and marking all major bolts to easily see if anything is loose. Saves you having to get a socket onto it to check every now and again.
Getting a quick release steering wheel is a good anti theft device.
Hope that helps. You wont regret having one. An absolute blast.
I'd say for the summer and those times of the year when it's sensible to use it, do as others have said, either a tonneau or a full weatherproof cover.
But for the winter, can you rent a garage nearby? Either a council garage, they keep lists of those available or a private one. Bet there's a little old lady down your street with a double garage you can rent, ten or twenty pounds a month might come in handy for her? You can ALWAYS find a garage to rent if you look hard enough.
But for the winter, can you rent a garage nearby? Either a council garage, they keep lists of those available or a private one. Bet there's a little old lady down your street with a double garage you can rent, ten or twenty pounds a month might come in handy for her? You can ALWAYS find a garage to rent if you look hard enough.
andypg said:
i agree, dont let the lack of garage hold you back.over the winter time try places like caravan storage firms,or container type 'u hold the key' storage firms.
Or parents, Friends?I don't have a garage either, But mine has only stayed on my drive once or twice. On days when there was zero chance of rain and I was going out early in it the next day. Normally kept at Parents, Or lock up over Winter.
Had a call yesterday afternoon from a friend who's just bought a speedboat and he phoned me asking if he could keep it in my garage. Told him sorry no it's full but suggested to him to try putting some leaflets through local houses with garages. He printed some off on his computer offering £25 a month for rewnting a garage and explaining he just wanted to store his boat and posted c50 through doors yesterday evening. Today he had three calls and is now the proud tenant of a garage with lighting and a workbench should he need it.
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