Storing the Stude and project car motivation, advice needed.

[Max]

Hello all,

I have a 1950 Champion, which I've been slowly working on with the little experience I have with cars. I've been storing it at a friends garage in the NOVA/Fairfax area, but since his 3rd gen needs some work he's urging me to me to move it out for the space.

Storing the car outside with a car cover is an option, but it's not good for the car at all.

Overall, the lack of storage certainty has demotivated me to work on it, especially since I might have to get rid of the stude if I don't figure out a solution.

I'm relatively young (24) so my options are somewhat limited, so I'd like some advice on how people have stored their project cars in the past, especially if you don't own a garage. Other advice is also really appreciated!

Thank you,
Max

[J_Cole]

Max,
did you bring the Stude to Katie's once? I live in the DC area at an apartment and kept my cars in the parking garage attached to the apartment. there are a ton of parking garages for relatively cheap monthly expenses you could consider. I even worked on one of my cars in the garage.

[Max]

I did bring the stude to Katie's. it's the blue bullet nose in my profile picture. That was such a memorable trip, we ran out of gas on the drive back since none of the gauges work! ha

[Max]

Tell me more about these garages, do you mean storage units, or peoples personal garages they rent out?

[J_Cole]

I think I tried talking to you but someone else kept interrupting trying to be funny. But welcome to the Studebaker club! It's a fun hobby and they are fun, interesting cars. And have some cool history and heritage behind them. I can't speak what you should do, only you know what you can afford or what your goals are. But having seen your car, it does look like a good basis for a start. And I saw someone at Katies has a super cool all black customized bullet nose. But you could look into something like this

https://consumer.commutyble.com/#/

They, or similar garages, are relatively affordable and aren't tied to the apartment itself. So you could pay a monthly fee, I think I paid $70 a month, and just keep your car there and out of the elements. I kept my two '54's at the the Terano in Rockville without any issues. Either way, best of luck!

[willys54]

Max,
I've been in your shoes many times before and what I've learned is that indoor space for vehicle storage has and always will be held at a premium. For this reason even friends/family are usually reluctant to give up their space so too date you've been lucky to have the friend you do. I've been forced to store project vehicles outside at both my house and on friends property and it does suck the motivation to work on them right out of you since it's either too cold, too hot, too wet, too muddy etc. etc. This as well as having limited access to utilities and having the proper tools for the job with you at the time you need them makes it a challenge to get anything done at best.

Sounds unpleasant but in my opinion you should part with it and pickup another project car later in life when you are better facilitated to store/work on it. Hope things work out for you.

[shifter4]

Many moons ago , before I had places of my own , I would place an Ad in the newspaper , looking for a private garage .
I usually found one within a few days . I specified that I wanted power in the garage etc .
Try your local Paper , or more likely Craigslist or whatever you want . Nothing venture , nothing gained .

[BRUCESTUDE]

A storage unit is another option, albeit a little pricey. If you really like this Studie, I’d look for something, if not for working, but to keep it dry!

[Hawklover]

Max,
I've been in your shoes many times before and what I've learned is that indoor space for vehicle storage has and always will be held at a premium. For this reason even friends/family are usually reluctant to give up their space so too date you've been lucky to have the friend you do. I've been forced to store project vehicles outside at both my house and on friends property and it does suck the motivation to work on them right out of you since it's either too cold, too hot, too wet, too muddy etc. etc. This as well as having limited access to utilities and having the proper tools for the job with you at the time you need them makes it a challenge to get anything done at best.

Sounds unpleasant but in my opinion you should part with it and pickup another project car later in life when you are better facilitated to store/work on it. Hope things work out for you.

Plus one!!

[Hawklover]

Garage space in private home garages is now at a huge premium. Today the asking price for monthly garage rent is akin to taking a second mortgage on a home. The next time I am asked for additional monies for the garage I now rent, will be the signal that my Avanti will be put up for sale.

[clarkwd]

I would suggest unloading the project car and getting a driver. Although I grew up in a garage with plenty of places to work on old junk, after I moved out on my own, far from home, I was in an apartment with no garage. With no place to work on or store a car, I bought a beater driver, a 57 Met. I never worried about it being outside and I did not have to work on it much, although it was inconvenient when a front spindle broke. It was my daily driver for years. During that time I grew more enthusiastic about having an old car. As I moved on in life, I got a house and a garage and a place to work, but I always tried to have an old car I could drive.
Bill

[rockne10]

I'm relatively young (24) so my options are somewhat limited,

Thank you,
Max

Tout au contraire, Max;
At 24, though finances and experience seem limited, frugality and patience are your huckleberries, with the exception of the expected reasonable price increases on parts and availability, do not set unreasonable limits on the completion of your build.
Many of us have 50 years of builds on YOU, but you have an immense advantage over us; youth, energy, health and time.
Finding a reasonably priced storage garage rental, and thoughtful planning and budgeting, which may include occasional towing bills to a repair facility, can reward your patience with something many of us, in our youth and impatience, started and never completed.
Stay active here and make your plans carefully.
Many of us will pass before you are done, but the SDC and this Forum will be around for you for a looong time.

[rockne10]

occasional outside storage under a car cover has not spelled doom for many projects. My '53 Commander sat outside without cover for some years before I managed to drive it to an International Meet where it scored 394 out of 400 points. Keep us informed, as encouragement will be half the game won.

[556063]

Your story hits home so hard. I faced all the same issues before I secured my building in the late 80's and early 90's. I was very lucky to have a group of friends that I worked with in that timeframe that were in the car business like me. Before I signed my first mortgage at a 10.9% interest rate, and I got my 30X70 outbuilding, I had to lean on some friends with similar buildings to get me through some shaky times. Sadly, all those friends have passed now.

Your story, although rough on you right now, rejuvenates me today. I'm so glad there are young people like you trying to keep the flame going. I was able to pull it out and later refinance that rate down. Looking at things today, I'm very thankful I lived when I did. I wish the best for you.

Whether you can pull it out like I did depends on the choices others make. Sadly, I can't give you any guarantees people will make the same choices they did 30 years ago.