Best car cover for an early Z?

[BRE-240Z]

When my 240Z comes home from the paint booth, I'm going to want to put a cover on her. Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent car cover?

I searched the archives, but couldn't find anything. Thanks, guys....

[ezzzzzzz]

Depending on where the car is parked you could choose from a lightweight cheapie to a full-blown $$$ one. Are you protecting it from weather outside or keeping dust off of it in a garage?

[JonnyRock]

I sprang for the Gold Technalon Cover from MSA. With the cable lock, bag, and shipping it was a little over $200. I've been very pleased with it; when I get the chance to use it. I live in a virtual wind tunnel, which blows like crazy at night, so it hasn't seen a whole lot of use.

I saw one at Costco the other day, it was a generic one for about $30. Seeing what little use I've gotten out of mine recently, maybe I should have bought one of those.

Anyway, I've been happy with the MSA one, although they DON'T tell you that there's only one cutout for the Driver's rear view mirror. Nothing on the passenger side. That pissed me off quite a bit when I first got it. Luckily I have the turbo mirrors (which I hate) that fold up.

You can find it here:
http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/T/50-1008

[BRE-240Z]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be parking her in the garage, so I won't need anything that's too weatherproof.

I do need something that's kidproof....don't want my daughter walking past the car and rubbing her bike handlebars down the side of my new paint job....

[beezee]

I have a custom Hugger cover on my 260 http://www.huggercovers.com/

[Arne]

I too have a Technalon from MSA, nicely tailored, fits much better than any generic cover could. While the website doesn't mention the single mirror pocket, I seem to recall that the print catalog did. It also mentioned that there was no hole pre-cut for the antenna. As long as your antenna will retract (either power or manually) you'll be fine.

[cunniwj]

I also bought the gold Tech one from MSA for my 240,the side mirrow wasn't a big deal since I only have one and my antena actually retracts. It was so good I bought one for my 280ZXT it had both mirrow cut outs and antena hole. They are a little expensive but are well worth it. A small price compared to the price you probably spent on your paint job.

[JonnyRock]

Worried about door dings, eh? Well why didn't you say so!

Maybe it's time to invest in the "DoorPal"!!! Even if your daughter comes through the garage swinging a shovel, you won't have to bat an eye.

No seriously, check out this guys door-ding prevention invention. Funny stuff. It's a good idea, but poorly executed in my opinion.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/03/v...s-and-shovels/
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/06/v...shovel-part-2/

[Fun_in_my_z]

I doubt a car cover would protect from a handle bar.....

[280zx10]

coverking was the best one i have ever had

[beandip]

I know that you are concerned about the new paint. I wouldn't cover the car for a week , just to be safe . Let the paint cure a little. Kids and handle bars, will be difficult to shield the car from that. I have my Z in the garage covered with a inexpensive cover . I never put the cover on the car unless it is absolutely clean , and fold the cover so the inside never contacts the out side surface of the cover. I waited for about 3 weeks before I covered my Z after paint. I think is was longer but at least 3. I think I paid about $40.00 for my cover. I don't have small children around my Z though. I have heard of guys sewing the insulation foam used for pipes on the inside of the cover along the exposed side of the car. The foam tube for a 3/4'' pipe is about 2 1/2'' thick . They are soft and shouldn't damage the paint plus they don't cost vary much. Sewn in place with fishing line should be easy. Gary

[Bonzi Lon]

I have seen somewhere there is a large bag you drive the car into, zip it up and fill it with air like a giagantic balloon. They even pushed a bicycle into it and it just bounced off without hitting the vehicle.

Bonzi Lon

[xray]

you mean this?

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/inde...d=3962&cid=130

A bit much, IMO

[BRE-240Z]

you mean this?

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/inde...d=3962&cid=130

A bit much, IMO

Maybe I should put my daughter (and her bike) in there.......

[peterc]

lol, now your talking. And room left over for the wife (at certain times of the month), the neighbor that constantly drives you nuts, and... well the possibilities are endless. And no musty smell when you let them out!

[76Datsun280z]

California Car Cover makes a good cover.

[Bonzi Lon]

That is the baggie I saw. May be a bit spendy, but what would a fender or door repair cost? It was just a thought.

Bonzi Lon

[doorpalguy]

I have seen somewhere there is a large bag you drive the car into, zip it up and fill it with air like a giagantic balloon. They even pushed a bicycle into it and it just bounced off without hitting the vehicle.

Bonzi Lon

Jon, I am the inventor of the DoorPal. In the the quest to constantly improve, my product I would love to know what I executed poorly in your opinion. Besides, I owned a 1972 orange 240Z and still feel a bond with the Z-club ;-). For the record I should have never sold my Z. It was the most fun I have ever had driving a car.

-DoorPal Guy

[Inf]

I found some decent ones from empire. This cover was a replacement cover for a custom cover that cost three times as much and started leaking water and collecting dust under the cover in less than a year. My Empire cover is 4 months old, has survived numerous strong thunderstorms and seering Texas sun, and so far is exceeding my expectations. I have 3 cars under cover, soon the other two will be covered by Empire.

Cmon, that's not even a Z in your picture.

Someone please BAN this spammer

[Arne]

Yeah, I did it. You want a laugh, google his username and "empire covers" and see how many forums he has posted that same spiel on...

[TexasRider260Z]

Way to go Arne. A timely thread for me nonetheless as I had been looking at the covers. While the Technalon looks the part for outdoor ( my 74 hasnt spent too many nights outdoors in its whole life - rain, heck it never saw any rain ) do you also prefer it for indoor garage storage etc. The reason I ask is that I had one of those bubbles once for a motorcycle and it was a pain - got rid of it immediately. And a few of the motorcycle covers I have are pretty bulky too - ie for storing the Technalon in the car if you take it uptown and it OMG "rains" ! Thanks.

[TexasRider260Z]

Went over and looked at the HuggerCovers above. Seem nice made but even more than the Technalon! Technalon looks better already!

[Inf]

I had the Technalon cover from MSA 4-5 years ago, and used it when I parked under my apartment building. Some rain still splashed onto the car, and plenty of dust and pollen settled on it, so the cover was a must. I seem to remember it always doing its job (that is, before some scumbag cut through the worthless plastic coated steel cable and stole it).

Technalon is good stuff, and I would buy another one if I felt I had the need (have a real garage now, and don't really drive it all that often).

[=Enigma=]

I bought a Covercraft Evolution (Technalon) cover for my car which was stored outside under a carport that took sun and rain on one side for a couple years and it's still going strong. It does tend to leak some dust through over time but only if you let it accumulate to excess. If you keep it clean (rinse it off in place) and shake it out from time to time this should not be a problem, and it sheds water very nicely. I think I paid $170 for it online with a bag and cable. It came with 2 mirror pockets sans a hole for the antenna. I beleive it even came with a 4 year warranty.

[conedodger]

Beandip is correct but I would go even further. Check with your painter to see how long you should let that paint cure before covering it, washing it, polishing etc... I waited 3 weeks.

I actually use a 2 Porsche 911 covers. One is soft and more of a dust cover, the other is weatherproof. I put the weatherproof one over the softer one.

[CDM]

You could always go with the brand new BRE car cover which is a perfect and a very fair price $160 I think and has the cool BRE racing logo as well. I am buying them for all the cutomer cars in the shop and highly recommend them to friends. I do not get any kick backs for endorsing the Covers but we did bug the hell out of Peter to see about bring back a similar cover that they sold many years ago.
Just my 2Cents
Les

[7T1240]

I don't own one of the BRE car covers, but I think they're pretty cool...I like the historical connection and the novelty.

http://www.bre2.net/mm5/merchant.mvc...ode=car_covers

Gary S.

Well, as soon as I posted this I see Les beat me by several minutes. Oh well, there's the link anyway.

[Mike B]

I have three Z car covers, the flannel and technalon from MSA and the one from BRE. In fact, that is one of my cars under the BRE cover on their site, so I guess I can claim ser #00001 . The BRE cover seems to be more water repellent than the technalon, and is much lighter, so I prefer it for exterior use. The BRE cover doesn't have a separate pocket for the exterior mirror, but I don't find that to be a problem. The flannel is nice and soft, but is for indoor only use.

-Mike

[richard1]

I bought a Covercraft Evolution (Technalon) cover for my car which was stored outside under a carport that took sun and rain on one side for a couple years and it's still going strong. It does tend to leak some dust through over time but only if you let it accumulate to excess. If you keep it clean (rinse it off in place) and shake it out from time to time this should not be a problem, and it sheds water very nicely. I think I paid $170 for it online with a bag and cable. It came with 2 mirror pockets sans a hole for the antenna. I beleive it even came with a 4 year warranty.

I have a Covercraft NOAH (Kimberly Clark fabric) four layers with inside fleece custom fit for a 72 one side mirror pocket. It fits very sharp. It is the improved technology from the Evolution 3 I bought for my Corvette ten years ago. I paid $152.00 including shipping two months ago.

[Carl Beck]

I have a Covercraft NOAH (Kimberly Clark fabric) four layers with inside fleece custom fit for a 72 one side mirror pocket. It fits very sharp.

Hi richard1:
Can you post a picture of the NOAH on your Z? Is it as much a "custom" fit as the original BRE Covers?
thanks,
Carl B.

[richard1]

deeper to cover the lower body lines and tight fit on the fender edges, hood flowing lines, slanted back window and covering tightly the front and rear valence panels.

The fabric is a lot thicker from what I see from your pictures and just available in light Grey color.

It has outstanding water repellent properties and UV protection when I drive my car to the office from time to time. Otherwise, always garaged with the cover on.

I can send you pictures if you want to post them

Furthermore.....fit is tight with no problem in windy condition.

[TexasRider260Z]

Thanks for the BRE links guys. I like the new BRE one , or at least I did until I saw the pics of Carls older one whcuh is even better. But I am on to order one of them here next week or so.

[TexasRider260Z]

Got the BRE one - thanks again for that info or I would likely not have found that! Now if I get some engine work going and some new wheels and I will feel faster already !