I'm in the market for a "car cover" for the '88.

You know, those billowy things that you always see flapping and torn on cars that are "parked" for a spell, and later to be pulled down from a tree with a pole saw.

I'm getting ready to do some mucking-about on the '88 in the driveway.
No garage.
The potential of the mucking to (temporarily) render it even more vulnerable to rain seems pretty high.
I want to be able to get a partially disassembled car under some sort of cover when the job that was only supposed to take a couple hours drags on for a couple days.

I've googled "1988 Camaro car cover," and got no shortage of hits.

I'm wondering what experiences the folks here might have had, and whether there are any particular covers that are to be recommended or avoided.

 

After posting, I realize too, the '88 has a simple external radio antenna which is not going to fit underneath a car cover.

The base of the antenna has a hex-shape that looks like it will accept a wrench.

The antenna on the '88 probably hasn't been removed since its factory installation.
I would really like to not bugger it in the process of putting a car-cover in place.

Anybody have any experience removing one of these?
Pitfalls or tricks?
Amazingly simple, and hardly worthy of concern?

 

the antenna screws on and off. You can take it off super easy with a wrench, no problem. Make sure the cover you get keeps out the weather, some simply keep dust off the car.

 

W.E.G. The Summit Racing brand covers are very good for the money, but you have to get the 4-layer covers. I found you a few part #'s for the covers-i'm going to leave the size up to you. I have one of these covers, but the one I have is too big for the car so that is why I keep it tied down and a crappy indoor cover that is a bit too small for the car over it. I forget what size I got, but I have the box still so can look when I get home later and let you know tomorrow. The covers Summit part numbers are listed below as well as the price and size. They are outdoor covers.

SUM-11114 15.1-16.00 feet. $54.95.
SUM-11115 16.1-17.60 feet. $56.95.

Keep in mind that your car is about 16.05 long if I remember right. For outside you want a cover to be sung, but if it's too small then part of the bumpers will be exposed. Too big and it will fly off with very little wind.

 

That sounds like "three thousandths short of closing."

Not sure why I didn't see this other recent thread in a search.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...car-cover.html

The Wolf cover looks nice, but also looks like serious $$$

Does the Summit cover have the hole for the antenna?

 

Call California Car Cover. I have bought several for everything from my 1989 GTA, 2004 Z06, 2011 Camaro SS, and my old 2006 Gallardo. Great quality and keeps the weather out and is breathable.

 

Don't worry about the antenna hole, just unscreww it like I did. Ok I have the Summit Cover part # SUM-1116 and it's too big, it't like 17-19 feet. Yes Wolf covers are good, but I have to say for the moeny the Summit 4-layer covers are great. They do have the holes on each side to tie them down as well.

 

OK.

I'm looking at this one:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-11115

Says its "water repellent."

Lets say I have a door, or a hatch, or a hood off the car.
Is this cover sufficiently "repellent" that I won't be bailing water out of the car if a storm comes along?

 

'Im in the process of deciding which one of these to purchase....

http://www.carscover.com/1991-Chevro...r-SP485NB.html

 

Many Varieties Here

www.carcoverusa.com/

 

Go to your local walmart and look at their clearance isle for their top tier covers on clearance.

I picked up my old car cover from there. Usually $80 and was marked down to $30. Very nice quality and compareable to the $250 one my neighbor has for his 99 SS, only differences is his has side mirror pockets and a weather proof hole for the antenna.

Never got one scratch from it, although the cheaper walmart versions will and it kept my old 86 well protected. I recently sold it to a friend which is now using it for his 89.

You dont have to spend alot of $ for a good one, just look around.

Also be aware that you will need alot of good tie down points for it not to fly off. In the end I cut holes near the wheels and zip tied them to the spokes of each wheel and front and rear bumper. Cover never went anywhere and didnt move an inch.

 

I'm not sure I would pull a door and leave the car outside with any cover. Mt car does tend to get damp under the 2 covers.

 

If I have to cover it with areas still open, I may cut some plastic sheeting to the general size of the opening, and "seal" the plastic sheeting with "Sticky Sheets."

Check this stuff out:
http://www.stickysheets.com/faq.htm

I'm thinking it likely won't rip the paint off when removed in the same way that some other tape products might.

 

You need a cover like this Stormweave from California Car Covers. Custom cut to fit your car.

 

Funny, I didn't have a problem leaving the antenna in place when I stored the 87 for several month between 06-07... And don't worry about covering it with the door off, either. Only way you might have a problem is with a ripped cover, or if you pull a quarter panel off or something (been there, done that ).

You're going to want a bungee cord for under the body as well (there is a reason why most covers have eyelets in them between the wheels at the bottom!). Especially with as windy as it's been in parts of the country lately. That's why a lot of covers end up MIA in trees and such. Get the next size up in covers... I think the last one I bought was a C, so get a D. Oh, and I've noticed that, on a lot of covers, the eyelets go more towards the REAR wheels than the front. Just works out that way...

Heck, you can buy the things at WalMart. I paid $30 for the second one. Bought the first (for the long term storage) at Pep Boys for about twice that... Should have gone the next size up. They have books that will tell you what cover to buy, but make sure to get the next size up. When you bungee it, it will have less chance of a pocket of air getting under the cover and lifting it off or tearing it to shreds.