OUTDOOR SPEEDSTER COVER (CALIFORNIA)

Whatever you get, make sure that it allows moisture to pass through.  Yes, it won't keep the car completely dry, but it will also allow any moisture - rain, dew, or otherwise - to evaporate.  Trapping moisture against the car can cause some significant damage.

Umm, rocks or bricks ain't gonna cut it. At best, only your car will be damaged. At worst, somebody else's will get damaged. Or somebody might get injured.

Get a garage, outside storage is not what these cars are made for. This is coming from a guy with 15 years experience owning a Spyder in NY state.

I wouldn’t cover a cover with a tarp. If the wind blows at all, it will rub against the paint and I don’t care how careful you are, there will always be a little dust in the soft liner.

Better get a snug-fitting waterproof cover with tie down straps and it can billow in the wind a little bit. Less rubbing.

You should be able to find a nice one for <$250. If you haven’t looked yet, check out carcovers.com.

do U have room for those steel pole buildings,,,almost any size u want..8-10' wide would work,,lengths, heights vary...

@DannyP posted:

outside storage is not what these cars are made for.

To echo this: I've done a lot of things wrong in 21 years of ownership, but I've always had my car in climate-controlled storage. In '06-'07, I was building my new house, and stored the car inside an enclosed trailer. I did not run an electrical cord out to it to run a heater.

The rubber bits on the car went from being soft and pliable (after 11 years of owning this one) to brittle and cracked in one winter. One winter of desiccating in a cold dry climate, and I ruined every bit of rubber on it. I couldn't believe it.

Having a garage is a requirement most insurance companies make in order to be willing to underwrite these cars. It sounds so elitist to say, but it's really a requirement for keeping a car in good condition as well.

I'd not recommend buying a replica unless you have a garage.

I’m an apartment dweller. Other that the winter mine sat under a Noah cover in NY, I’ve always kept my classics in storage units.

A friend has a 911 from the mid 2000's and it has a hell of a cover. It's a heavy silver cover with the Porsche badge and lined with a very soft material. Not sure if it's OEM; he doesn't know as he got it with the car. Would be nice to find out what it is and see if it's available also for 356 Speedsters.

@dlearl476 posted:

I wouldn’t cover a cover with a tarp. If the wind blows at all, it will rub against the paint and I don’t care how careful you are, there will always be a little dust in the soft liner.

Better get a snug-fitting waterproof cover with tie down straps and it can billow in the wind a little bit. Less rubbing.

You should be able to find a nice one for <$250. If you haven’t looked yet, check out carcovers.com.

I agree a tarp is not ideal. But it doesn't rain much here, and I plan to drive the car frequently (very low miles). So I can't imagine having to use the tarp very often. I would never put a tarp on it without the soft cover. More than likely I will start off with a rain proof cover with tie downs. But I also want a lightweight cover to use when needed. This isn't going to be a show car. I am going to use and enjoy it as much as I can. If I need to fix some cosmetic things later, so be it. Doesn't mean I don't care about maintenance. I will definitely be taking care of it the best I can.

@Impala posted:

A friend has a 911 from the mid 2000's and it has a hell of a cover. It's a heavy silver cover with the Porsche badge and lined with a very soft material. Not sure if it's OEM; he doesn't know as he got it with the car. Would be nice to find out what it is and see if it's available also for 356 Speedsters.

The covers that I’ve owned have a manufacturers tag either by the front or rear tags or by the reinforcement tabs one each side.

I believe the Porsche crest was on the front part of the cover on this one.

@Impala, I think what was meant above was the cover manufacturer, not the car manufacturer.

@Michael McKelvey posted:

@Impala, I think what was meant above was the cover manufacturer, not the car manufacturer.

Yes. Thanks Michael.

The optional Porsche covers you can get when you buy a brand new Porsche are all vehicle specific and fit very, very, very well. Did I say very? Because they fit very well. Every Porsche I've delivered has had one of their covers with the car. And owners who know include the covers when they return or sell the cars. None of the ones I've seen are waterproof, just the softest most luxurious material I've ever felt for a car. Not sure if Porsche makes one for a 356.

Kim,

I live in DC and keep my car outside year-round.  I also drive it all year long as long as the temperature is above 40 and it hasn't or appears to want to rain.   

I bought a California Cover 2 years ago.  It cost $300 and was the Superweave Taupe, size C99999PT, 1955 Porsche 356 Custom CVR.  I told them to fit it like they would for a Vintage Motorcar Speedster with mirrors set near doors not down on top of the tires.  They knew exactly what I needed.  It fit perfectly.  I've notices others have struggled with their fit.

The cover has created no scratches and keeps the car beautifully clean.  But I have somewhat of a cavalier approach to my car - park it all over town in heavily used areas, treat it like it's a daily driver and I tow it to Maine each year without regard to putting mileage on it.  Be aware, I have noticed a slight degradation in the cover recently -  seams need some restitching, elastic getting soft and the fabric is getting thinner.  I think these covers are probably only good for about 3 years, maybe 4 years at the most and will need to be replaced.

You can probably pay less but the ease of purchase and guarantee of a good fit worked for me.

BTW,  there are two tie down grommets amidships port and starboard for tying the cover down.  I've never used them.  The elastic and ample material pulls the cover down over the wheels and under the front and rear bumpers that I've never felt I needed more.

One last thing, I'd forget using multiple covers as someone recommended.  First, I don't think you'd need to with this cover but second is the work.  It's a wonderful luxury to drive your car into a garage with the top down.  But remembering to put the top and cover on every night or if there is a chance of rain is work and demands attention.  I can guarantee you'll forgo the two cover approach quickly, particularly if you try to drive frequently and spontaneously, as I do.

Good luck,

Marshall

Thanks for the info Marshall!

Thanks Marshall for the wake up call on covers.  I felt the same about a bra for my car, the pain to use it and make sure the car was clean before use.  

I went with XPel on my new build.

Pulled the trigger on this cover. Six week lead time! sigh

Superweave All Weather Outdoor Custom Car Cover

• Our #1 Selling Outdoor Car Cover Material
• Also Great for Indoor Use as it is dust proof
• Lightweight - Easy to use and store
• Durable, All Weather Protection - UV, Water & Weather Resistant
• Custom-Fit for the exact year/make/model
• Folds to 1/3 the size of typical multi-layer outdoor car covers
• Available in multiple colors
• 4 Year warranty
• Made in the USA