Say bye bye for winter.

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Took a nice last time pre-fall cruise with my Centurion (top down). Cleaned out the car tent, broke out the sealed car bag. Winterized the Centurion (over inflate tires, full tank of gas with dry gas additive, all washed and waxed, battery removed, drip pans in place, did all the other checks) all nice and clean, moisture packs and baking soda in place. Pulled in car tent, covered car, and then sealed in the car bag until early Spring of 2008.

It's about two months early for me, but with the racecar being worked on I won't be towing anything. Plus most shows are done in this area. Man in 5 months I can lay my eyes back on it. It will seem like a birthday present when I unwrap it :D The car bag seals everything up with no mositure or mold buildup. The interior smells fresh even the discs look nice and new instead of getting that rusty surface from sitting. Highly recommend a seal bag for any long term storage. Best of all it keeps out all mice, insects etc.

http://www.carvaluesplus.com/carbag_concept.htm

[Robroy]

Seems like a smart way to storage your car over the winter if you don’t have a garage.
How cold does it get where you’re living Rick? Do you get a lot of snow?

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Have to say the car bag is a fairly cheap way to winter preserve your car. It can be re-used each year. They make heavy duty models that can be used with no garage, leaving the car in the bag out in the open. The one I have is made for the car to be stored indoors. I would love to leave it in the garage (heated), my GS sleeps there and my wife gets the other bay for her...:tonge2:... mini van, so there is no room. My regular everyday car stays outside. Weather here usually gets down in the low 20's for the most part, once November hits. As for snow, it depends, we are always good for 2-3 storms which dump close to a foot or more. The car is tucked away in the car bag inside the car tent. The tent does handle the load of snow, though if its a heavy wet snow I usually knock off the snow from the top of the tent. This shot was taken last winter. In the spring the car looks exactly how I left it in the fall with no moldy smell.

[The German]

That´s a very good possibility for those who are living in a real winter region; Interesting information.
Only to understand: in which state of the US are you located, Rick?

Here in Germany I will drive my car on winter days also. Last year when the car arrived early in December we had some days with sunshine at 15°C and I drove it with open top ! Only when we will get a strong storm I will put a cover over the car to prevent it from the dust which is blown into the garage through small gaps at the doors.
_______________________
Rolf

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Rolf

I reside in the lower south eastern part of New York State bordering New Jersey and about 90 minutes north from, New York City. Winters can be hit or miss, sometimes we get dry winters with little snow fall and other times we get blasted with snow. It is the same with the temperatures. For the most part it is in the low 30's and 20's fahrenheit (20 to -6 celsius). Sometimes we get several days straight of near zero degrees fahrenheit.

If we have a mild winter I usually do not put the Centurion away until late November. What happens with me is if the car is just parked inside the tent for a few days and the temps drop in the low 20's F the lousy mice start making nests in and around the car. I have found acorns and mice inside the air cleaner, tail pipe, and cowl and anyplace they can get into. Also this part of the Country they love to spread salt on the roads to melt any snow or ice during the winter months. And we all know how that salt just eats away at our cars. So I found it just easier to bag up the car and forget about it for a few months once it gets cold outside. And like the mice I scour for supplies, (e-bay instead of acorns :laugh: ) and start my winter collection for spare parts:Brow:

This year I know I’ll still miss a few cruises and some nice weekends this fall, but I figured on pooling my extra cash to fix the racecar, and if the Centurion and trailer are tucked away they won’t be costing me any money. Out of sight, out of mind. What keeps me going are all the summer photos and videos from the track. One shot below gets me that warm fuzzy feeling :laugh: wanting to go racing and cruising. All hooked up waiting to go.

[EEE]

All hooked up waiting to go.

What a combo! :eek:

[The German]

Thanks, Rick, for your detailed information. With that conditions during winter I would do the same; it´s a very good insurance against the weather and the mice and against the loss of money !

BTW the picture of your Centurion towing your racecar shows again what a treasure it is !!! :xyxthumbs: A very nice new colour in good combination with the colour of the soft top ! It seems to be a new car. I hope it will be part of the Centurion-Calendar for 2008. So we all could get "that warm fuzzy feeling" ...!

All the best for this winter for you and your dreamcar(s) !
____________________________
Rolf

[Robroy]

Winters can be hit or miss, sometimes we get dry winters with little snow fall and other times we get blasted with snow. It is the same with the temperatures. For the most part it is in the low 30's and 20's fahrenheit (20 to -6 celsius). Sometimes we get several days straight of near zero degrees fahrenheit.

Sounds like an exact description of the winters here in south Sweden.
It can be green and rainy winters or cold with a lot of snow. Temperature typically stays around 41 to 23 *F (+5-5*C) but it can dip down to 0 *F (-20 *C) occasionally.
I don’t do much driving during the winter, but if the roads are free from salt and dry I’ll might take it out for a spin. Always good to exercise the brakes etc

[Robroy]

and the temps drop in the low 20's F the lousy mice start making nests in and around the car. I have found acorns and mice inside the air cleaner, tail pipe, and cowl and anyplace they can get into
A cruel but very effective method is to put some anti-freeze in a pan or two nearby the car. The Mice will get poisoned from drinking it and they are crazy about the stuff.
You might even do a little flip bridge out over the pan that makes them fall down and drown in it.

[centurion 455 ragtop]

I do like the anti freeze idea. Three years back I was battling the mice with mouse traps and then discovered my neighbors cat was getting inside the tent and then the mice problem was dramatically reduced. But then...I discovered cat paw prints on my Centurion. Hmmm was thinking about a dog....well you can see where this would be going. :rooleyes2: Stuck with the mouse traps and sealed up the tent keeping the cat out. Until I found out about the car bag. Now the mice can hold a party in there for all I care, they can't get to the car.

[dewbers]

Very good stuff Rick, Per and Rolf. thanks for sharing. I'll ask again when I am about to put in the lock down phase. However, I am in Delaware, so I still can drive her for another month or possibly two. Hell, last January it was 65 degrees for a week or so. You can bet I'll take it out then... UNLESS they over salt as you mentioned Rick. Didn't realize you were so close. I guess about 3 hours. Don't be stranger to the board while you're in hibernation!
:sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep: :sleep:

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Steve

Oh don't worry I'll be around on the Boards, this stuff is in my blood I can never leave it.

You should take a ride down to Cecil County Dragway on October 12th & 13th. It should be under an hour from you. It's exit 100 off I-95 Maryland. Rising Sun Exit, the track is about 2 miles from the exit. The Northeast GS/GN Club along with the Delaware Chapter hold the 11th annual Buick Meet. There is no show, but there will be a ton of fast Buicks racing along with some old time drag cars. I'll be there also taking pictures this year (not racing). You should try to come down to it at least on Saturday ( gates open at 8:30am). No need to bring the Centurion unless you want to take a pass down the track. Otherwise just come and watch we'll have a blast. If the weather is good you will definitely witness some of the fastest Buicks in the country! John Schmidt will be bringing his tube chassis turbo'ed late mode Riviera (runs low 7's).

If your interested or anyone else let me know, I'll make sure I'll meet you at the gate. if you can't make it on Friday, just jump in your car and drive down Saturday morning. It will be over by 4pm on Saturday. Check out the link.

http://www.buickperformancegroup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5344

[dewbers]

Hey Rick, I used to run my 71 Skylark down there back in the day. It's about 45 minutes for me. Thanks for the heads up! I have to clear it with the lovely lady boss, but I think we may be good. Not sure what day. I have season tix to U of D and they play Saturday at 12:00. My kids would love to see this kind of racing. They've been once and really got hooked. Plus, I wouldn't mind meeting a fellow Centurion owner, even if yours is already high and dry...
If it's the right weather, I will probably drive mine. I couldn't get to the flyer b/c I am not registered on the Buick Performance Groups site. Any chance you can send it to me? dewbers@nationwide.com
I guess I could always join, though my ride would not be consider performance at this point... ???
Thanks for the info. I'll drop you a line if I am going down. Would love to catch up!
Steve

[Robroy]

I am in Delaware, so I still can drive her for another month or possibly two.
I always thought you were in Newark NJ :Dou:

[dewbers]

That happens a lot. I'm about 2 hours south of that. Much cleaner air down here for a droptop... :laugh: To pinpoint us on a map, we're 2 hours south of NYC and about 2 hours north of DC. 30 minutes south of Philly... I know you're in Sweden, so I doubt you know where Newark DE is, but if you have a map, you can find it smack in the middle as shown above. Map may show Wilmington DE which we border against...

[Robroy]

I’ve located you now Steve..
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=&city=Newark&state=DE&zipcode=&country=US&location=mFOj0BTmaKcj6SQWdUmYFeoWWvJdbw%2bB0Ih2HvB Ey31Qn23OZe4iP7DNsCFMDU7TJwkgp9wDLuDmcDnINcjCyS%2f HIgresvH6OVgQNcee%2f9qVsPvE4j%2b42C%2brIShma%2fnU&ambiguity=1

At one occasion I traveled via Newark international airport in NJ on my way to South Carolina were my employer’s business partner is located. We had a six hour layover between the flights at that time, so we took a bus to Manhattan all thought we were checked in and not supposed to leave the airport, what the heck you only live once we thought :D . A huge demonstration in Manhattan almost made us miss the bus back to the airport, that time really was a thrill to the every day normal life :eek: :eek: :cool: .

I’ve also traveled via Dulles Washington DC on my way to SC for about two times I think

[dewbers]

Good stuff! I've been to Manhattan when it was crazy like that. What a zoo! Next tie you're cruising through, let me know. I'll buy a few rounds! :beers:

[Robroy]

Next tie you're cruising through, let me know. I'll buy a few rounds! :beers:
I will :D
The “normal” route is over Chicago but the time schedules changes all the time on these flights, so we always check what’s best from time to time.
Next time I’ll pass in Newark NJ or Dulles in Washington DC I’ll be in contact with you or Rick (or any one else in the neighborhood) to see if we possibly could meet. That would be very :cool:

[73 Centurion]

Hey Rick,
I like the idea of that storage bag. I had a winter car that I stored outside and mice got into the heater box. After that the car always smelled slightly of mouse pee no matter what I threw at it.

What will keep the little bastards from chewing through the bag? I've seen the holes they make in solid wood, it's hard to imagine what would keep them out. I've also seen mouse nests built right next to one of those high frequency noise makers that are pure snake oil.



John

[centurion 455 ragtop]

Hey Rick,

What will keep the little bastards from chewing through the bag? I've seen the holes they make in solid wood, it's hard to imagine what would keep them out. I've also seen mouse nests built right next to one of those high frequency noise makers that are pure snake oil.

John

They won't chew into the bag, unless you happen to leave food in there. Last fall I put my Centurion away late in the year and the weather was already hitting the low 30's. Anyway, the car was sitting in the tent for about a week prior to bagging the car. Unknown to me one of those little boogers already was in the car and he got sealed away for the winter:D

In the spring I found him under the car all mummafied. He wasn't decomposed at all! Which shows how good the bag seals out the moisture. I like to think of it as my own science project :laugh: He did though prior to expiring pee'd on my car cover and chewed a nice hole in it. I figured he was hiding under the hood near the cowl and chewed his way out. But he never chewed out of the car bag. So he did cost me a car cover, thank God no damage to the paint or top.

This year I drove the car for about an hour or so and then cleaned out the car tent plus the weather was in the 50's and sunny so I figured no mice were in site.

If the car isn't sealed up and just in a garage, I do know that mice hate moth balls, and fabric softner cloths. Only problem is in the spring your car smells like your grandma's closets:D