Car too long, garage too short
#1
Car too long, garage too short
Hi all,
I just bought a historic house with an old garage and it's about 3" too short to fit my '89 Custom Cruiser. Does anyone have any ideas that are non-structural to finagle something to make this work?
Are there products sold for this purpose that, for instance, can cover the outside of the garage so the door stays open and the drape (maybe vinyl, etc) keeps the snow/cold out?
On another front, is there a manufacturer that sells car covers that would fit an 80s B body wagon like mine?
Thanks!
Ryan
I just bought a historic house with an old garage and it's about 3" too short to fit my '89 Custom Cruiser. Does anyone have any ideas that are non-structural to finagle something to make this work?
Are there products sold for this purpose that, for instance, can cover the outside of the garage so the door stays open and the drape (maybe vinyl, etc) keeps the snow/cold out?
On another front, is there a manufacturer that sells car covers that would fit an 80s B body wagon like mine?
Thanks!
Ryan
#2
What does the garage framing look like in front of the car? Is it a stud wall, post & beam, concrete, or block? There are some tweaks you can do to move the whole garage door out too. All are structural changes but three inches should be do-able
#3
California car covers make custom fit for any vehicle - supposedly. I have a nice fitting one for my el camino -
DSC_3653_zps90a6bed4.jpg
DSC_3653_zps90a6bed4.jpg
#6
Frame in a header above the hood elevation, remove the studs in the way, then you can pull the bumper right up to the inside of the sheathing. Even with 2x4 studs that gives you an extra 3 1/2". If your knee wall is only a foot high the underside of the bumper should fit over it.
#11
Vermont...keep the cold out...is moving to Texas non-structural?
Is it a one or two buggy garage?
Maybe it is best to get the car cover. Last thing you need is trying to squeeze the car into the garage - hitting the wall and knocking the garage over onto the car.
Good luck with the car, garage and house!
Is it a one or two buggy garage?
Maybe it is best to get the car cover. Last thing you need is trying to squeeze the car into the garage - hitting the wall and knocking the garage over onto the car.
Good luck with the car, garage and house!
#12
Lifting a 20' long car 1' at one end makes it shorter by 3/8" . Raising it 2' makes it short by 1 3/8". 3' makes it 2 7/8".... You get the idea. Raising isn't going to give you enough room without being dangerous.
#14
This isn't going to helpful to you, but it reminded me of my grandpa. He parked a Minneapolis-Moline tractor and his car end to end in the garage. Each time he bought a newer car, it was a little longer than the last. So, each time he got a new car, he would strategically locate and/or enlarge notches in his workbench to accommodate the tractor so he could fit the car in behind it.
This was just a fun memory for me. Good luck with whatever method you choose!
This was just a fun memory for me. Good luck with whatever method you choose!
#17
You could try one of those plastic car shelters...they come in different lengths. They have a metal framework with a plastic cover...but the ones that I had, had poor quality thread and the sunlight weakened the threads on the stitched seams. With the added length you can work on the car under cover too.
#18
The neighbor behind the house where I grew up plowed a land yacht through the rear of his detached garage. Instead of repairing in-kind, he added a funky hood-high extension. Funky but functional.
I would not recommend that demolition technique.
I would not recommend that demolition technique.
#19
I had to squeeze a 72 Monte Carlo in a garage too small for it by about 2 inches. Fortunately, all I had to do was lift the hood and the stud went right over the grille.
The 442 was in the same garage, and had about 2 inches clearance, slightly shorter car.
The 442 was in the same garage, and had about 2 inches clearance, slightly shorter car.
#22
Sell the Custom Cruiser for a car that is 3" shorter. Possibly a Vista Cruiser pre 1973. Before that they didn't have 5 mph impact bumpers which is good for at least a 3" gain! Plus they look better
#23
#25
Had that problem with the race team hauler. Made a bump out in the wall so the back end would stick past the framed wall. For us it was almost 4 feet. The back dullies would touch the 4" high foundation as we backed up and we were good to go. I think it could work for you. Would the car frame/bumper clear the 12" high foundation?
Mike
Mike
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October 23rd, 2012 09:56 AM
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