Long term storage of your car

[Spiffav8]

I've received an offer to work outside of the U.S. that is hard to pass up. It would require me to live over seas for three years. I would be able to return to the U.S. every six months for an six week break. My question to you is if I take this job, how should I store my 67 Camaro for the time period that I am gone?

Any advice (other than parking it in your garage) would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[jy211]

i'd say find a climate controlled space...

[ironworks]

Put it on jack stands, drain fliuds below seals. and if you have solid cam loosen the rockers. Be sure to drain the fuel system completely. Disconnect battery.

[norcal68]

Us drive your car to keep it in tip top shape. Battery will not be drained, all internal engine components will be lubed. :lol: All joking aside, yeah, put it on a jack stands, take them wheels off, put in fuel stabilizer and keep the battery charge.

Good luck

[Musclerodz]

leave it with Tyler, I am sure he would keep it lubricated.:D

[Spiffav8]

leave it with Tyler, I am sure he would keep it lubricated.:D

If I leave it with Tyler I'll come back and find an LS7 installed and huge bill to go along with it. :lol:

[Vegas69]

Money isn't everything........I bet between AJ, Tyler, and me we can keep her happy while your gone.:D

[JamesJ]

Disconnect battery.

I would go ahead and take it out of the car, for the short time it takes to take it out and put it back in it just makes sence to take it out.

Are you going to drive it every six months when you come back?

[awr68]

send it to me...I seem to be in the camaro storage business!! :lol:

[Steve1968LS2]

Any advice (other than parking it in your garage) would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Damn, I was going to offer that you could leave it at my garage and I could do stories on it while you're gone.

Oh well :(

[Steve1968LS2]

Put it on jack stands, drain fliuds below seals. and if you have solid cam loosen the rockers. Be sure to drain the fuel system completely. Disconnect battery.

Discon the batter or get one of them fancy battery tenders. Six months between drives isn't THAT long.

Oh, change the oil to fresh before storage. Oil becomes acidic as it's used and it's best to have brand new oil sitting in the engine.

[Spiffav8]

IF I take the job (and that's a big IF as I'm not to hip on moving to China) I would be home every six months or so and yes I would drive the car....A LOT! :D
We will hire someone to look after the house while we're gone and I may have a buddy come by and drive both the truck and the car once a month. Think that would be enough?

[skatinjay27]

IF I take the job (and that's a big IF as I'm not to hip on moving to China) I would be home every six months or so and yes I would drive the car....A LOT! :D
We will hire someone to look after the house while we're gone and I may have a buddy come by and drive both the truck and the car once a month. Think that would be enough?
DAMN curtis that would be a BIG move... china... so im guessing that would be with another company than? what the pay gonna be like?
and what lori think of living in china.

[Spiffav8]

Damn, I was going to offer that you could leave it at my garage and I could do stories on it while you're gone.

Oh well :(


Nice Try buddy! :lol:

[Spiffav8]

DAMN curtis that would be a BIG move... china... so im guessing that would be with another company than? what the pay gonna be like?
and what lori think of living in china.


Yeah it would be a big move and a new company. I would be a contract 737-900 pilot working for Shenzhen Airlines. The pay is about three times what I make now and that's the drive behind CONSIDERING the offer. Laurie is all ready to leave tomorrow...lol. There is also the possibility of moving to Japan and flying 747-400s after I finish up the three years in China.

Call me spoiled but I like living in the U.S. and I'm not to fond of Chinese food. Sushi wold be ok though. We'll see what happens. I'm not really excited about it just exploring the idea at the moment.

:cheers:

[Vegas69]

Be careful.....I have a client that is an architect and went to China. He said the cost of living was really high at least where he lived. 3 times as much ought to cover it though.:yes:

[awr68]

Chris you could just house sit for him!! :lol:

[tyoneal]

Yeah it would be a big move and a new company. I would be a contract 737-900 pilot working for Shenzhen Airlines. The pay is about three times what I make now and that's the drive behind CONSIDERING the offer. Laurie is all ready to leave tomorrow...lol. There is also the possibility of moving to Japan and flying 747-400s after I finish up the three years in China.

Call me spoiled but I like living in the U.S. and I'm not to fond of Chinese food. Sushi wold be ok though. We'll see what happens. I'm not really excited about it just exploring the idea at the moment.

:cheers:
=======================================
Curtis:

Some things to check into other than the storage of your Camaro:

1. Make sure your home owners insurance will stay intact while you are gone. Many policies DO NOT COVER YOUR HOUSE AND VALUABLES when your house is unoccupied for any extend length of time.

You might look into having a very trusted friend live here for cheap to look after the house and pick up your mail and make sure your BILLS get sent to you and/or paid. You don't want everything shut off and your credit ruined when you come back.

2. Go talk to a good TAX ACCOUNTANT for TAX PLANNING. While being overseas for any length of time, you will become, "ex-patriot", in your TAX STATUS. Last time I checked you would probably be allowed $75,000 Tax Free before paying any income Tax. You need to get VERY GOOD TAX ADVICE. Proper planning while your gone, and prudent spending during that time, might have you set up for life financially in a fairly short amount of time. You'll possibly have the opportunity of a lifetime, "Knocking on your Door", if you plan ahead and work the plan.

3. Be prepared to be very homesick for the first couple of months. Embrace the culture, make friends, learn your way around and make sure your wife has things to do that are fun for her. Remember, "Happy wife, Happy Life".

Try to learn some of the language and practice with your wife. While you are working, English is the Language of Flying as you obviously know, she however may not have many English speakers around her. There should be American Clubs of several types you can go to. The local American Embassy can help you with that if you haven't found anything before you leave.

Find the American Embassy, and sign in so they know you are there. In the event of, "All Hell Breaking Loose", given you will be in a Communist Country, it never hurts to know where it is and let them know your there. They are really good at getting Americans out in the event of problems.

I hope you will give this Job a shot personally. It will be life changing for you and your wife, and kids if you have them. If you do there are probably really good American Schools for them where they will be taught the language and culture of China. This is something that could be a "Leg Up" for them in their life as an adult especially if they learn the language.

You and your wife will change as people. Once you emerge yourself in another culture, your learning curve and perspective of the world will change dramatically. I was fortunate to be able to do business overseas for a number of years and have done business in or traveled to 58 countries. (So far);-), and I wouldn't give anything in the world for it.

At first it is a Challenge, however if you relax and melt into it, you will have a wonderful time and grow more than you can imagine as a person. I promise this is true. You should be able to write us while your gone (Something I wasn't able to do, internet was very young) so that aspect of your life will make things much easier for you.

The Orient is a wonderful place to explore. Many of the different cultures in the area are rich in traditions and heritage. Whether you like the food or not when you get there, you will find things you like, and once back in the States you will find yourself sad you can't go to the local market or restaurant and get it. (I know this sound strange but it is very true)

When and if you decide to retire or change occupations, you will have contacts and the possibilities to be involve with potentially great business opportunities. I know this sounds like something out of a fortune cookie, but China is going through it's, "Industrial Revolution", and there are many jobs that you could make a hell of a lot of money doing as a pilot, and most of them are even legal. ;)

Just don't wander off your initial plan set before you leave. It will ALWAYS Guarantee you a decent retirement no matter what. It will give you some personal comfort to know your financial future is set no matter what happens, so don't touch it.

Anyway, if you are interested, feel free to contact me anytime. I have really enjoyed my experiences, and whole heartedly encourage you to give this a shot for at least 3 years. Looking back on your life, you don't want to look back with the thoughts of should of, could of, would of, you will regret not taking adventage of this opportunity.

Opportunity IS Knocking! Just answer the door and go.

I've probably bored the hell out of everyone on this forum by now, so I'll sign off.

Good Luck. (and Have Fun!)

Sincerely,

Ty O'Neal

P.S. Please remember to REALLY explain this email to your wife as far as being home sick or lonely at first. If she has not traveled much before, staying for an extended time away from what you are used to can make you very depressed and lonely. (I'm really serious about this) Believe me after six months or so, IF YOU WORK AT IT, you will start to settle in nicely to your new home.

[Steve1968LS2]

Nice Try buddy! :lol:

Hey, I understand perfectly why you wouldn't want free parts put on your car while your gone, no hard feelings.


:rofl:

[Spiffav8]

Ty O'Neal,

Of all the people that I have talked to about this move, your advice sits at the top. Thank you very much for your heart felt input. I will share your post with Laurie as it reinforces a few concerns I have that concern her. I think the fact that we would be coming home every six month for six weeks would help. Three years isn't that long and it would be one heck of an adventure!

Thanks again...I'll be in touch soon.

Curtis:captain:

[Spiffav8]

Be careful.....I have a client that is an architect and went to China. He said the cost of living was really high at least where he lived. 3 times as much ought to cover it though.:yes:


It's a fairly good deal...at least for the position I'm considering. They provide you with a 1900 sq ft. house furnished Western style. With my luck this means lot's of John Wayne posters all over the place. In addition to your salary they give you a monthly living allowance. Not sure it would cover the cost but it would help.

I've heard more than a few stories about guys getting miss treated by the contract company. That makes me nervous! So I'm doing my home work and making sure that thing are on the up and up. Last thing I want is to get over there, be locked into a contract and have both me and my wife hating every moment of it.

[tyoneal]

It's a fairly good deal...at least for the position I'm considering. They provide you with a 1900 sq ft. house furnished Western style. With my luck this means lot's of John Wayne posters all over the place. In addition to your salary they give you a monthly living allowance. Not sure it would cover the cost but it would help.

I've heard more than a few stories about guys getting miss treated by the contract company. That makes me nervous! So I'm doing my home work and making sure that thing are on the up and up. Last thing I want is to get over there, be locked into a contract and have both me and my wife hating every moment of it.
======================
Curtis:

One more thought as I read this post.

Take your contract to an Attorney that deals with international companies. Have him look it over and give his advice. Usually the first meeting is free. You could pick his brain for free, and if there was something to be worried about and it cost you a couple thousand to really set it up right for you, it would be cheap money.

Since you will have a house and a allowance there's a great possibility for some big time savings.

Seriously though, before signing any contract, have a QUALIFIED attorney check it out. I promise this to is the smart thing to do as you are getting ready to invest 3 years of your working career in this undertaking.

Don't be afraid to go, just take prudent steps along the way to make sure your bases are covered.

Once over there and you are settled, you might take a look at the traditional living quarters for, "Important", employees and consider going native.

Setting up a house in the style of a foreign country is difficult in some countries, and expensive because everything has to be imported, whereas the housing available that is more traditional might actually give you a higher standard of living. It might even be furnished with maids, cooks and drivers.

Depending on your, "Importance", the attorney might be able to enhance you living conditions through some mild negotiating. It never hurts to ask. The worst that can happen is they say, "No". Domestic help overseas is very inexpensive as compared to our lifestyle because they have millions of people that are not especially trained to be in a professional job and have therefore by choice or by circumstance work keeping peoples houses in order. You might keep this under your hat until you get it approved before you tell your wife, then she can decide whether or not she wants it. It might be a real kick for her to be helped and pampered while you are gone.

This of course may not be possible, but at least take the time to investigate it. Have a blast.

Thanks BTW for the kind comments.

Take care,

Ty

[fvike]

I have my car in winter storage ca 6-7 months, and all I do is to start it once in a while. That lubes up the internals, and let the valve springs stress out. When it's time to take it out, I'll change the oil. The gas might be a bit sour, but that changes at the first fillup. All this talk about draining the fluids is probably best suited when putting it away for years, not months.

[Tiger]

Im getting in here on the family part of it, we moved from Norway to Italy to follow my job several years ago.
Its a very good idea to get your wife a job or into a club of foreign wives or just get her something to do otherwise she will feel very lonely when you are at work at least for the first years.
you say three years, but be aware that if you like the three years then you might want to stay another three and then you are screwed, you will never have a "real" home again you will feel at home abroad and you will feel at home while in Vegas but this will pull you back and forth and challenge you mentally all the time, this is indeed a very nice opportunity to see places you might only see in pics or in a three week holiday once or twice in your lifetime, it might only be three years but the memories will last a lifetime, so if you have covered your bases contractwise and you both beleive in it firmely all I can say is, go for it!