Winter storage

[Jim G]

New Tbird owner in snow and ice belt. Any advantage storing car with soft top up or down? thoughts appreciated

[RustyFrye]

If you are parking it outside I would leave the top up......

[Quickdraw]

I store mine with the top up, but unlatched. Seems this would keep the top from forming permanent wrinkles, or mildew, from the folded top. Leaving it unlatched allows the top to relax a bit.

[RQTBIRD]

Leaving it unlatched allows the top to relax a bit.

Never thought about that but sounds like a good idea.

[007Cruiser]

Welcome, Jim! You may be our first member in Nova Scotia. I would store it with top up as well. I would also use a battery tender. Some put mothballs or dryer sheets throughout to discourage mouse activity.

[050TBRD]

Hi Jim and welcome, as suggested by 007 Cruiser, I have followed the same routine since I have had my bird, no mothballs, just dryer sheets and even go far as stuffing steel wool up the exhaust pipes to keep any possible visits from mice looking for a winter home, depends where you store your car. Make sure your gas tank is full and you use the battery tender, and cover her up. I put my bird to bed on November the first and wake her up on April first, have followed the same procedure for the past five years without a problem. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate. Check out our Canadian TBird club at www.sothunderbirdclub.org and the Canadain Forum for a list of members across Canada. Enjoy your bird and drive with care.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

If you are parking it outside I would leave the top up......

Thanks for clearing that up.

I store all of mine with the soft top down and hardtops on, no problems with the tops in the spring.

[007Cruiser]

My impression from the question was that Jim is without a hardtop. I have never had any problem storing with the top on the car. When the convertible top is down for an extended period, it may need to be stretched by the warmth of the sun to completely go up. I now leave my hardtop on most of the time without a concern. Just be sure that the top is completely dry whenever you lower it.

[Howlandd]

Welcome! I live in northern Minnesota. Keep my top down with the hard top on all winter so that on a "dry roads day" I can drive it in comfort. I can drive it frequently enough to make this arrangement very enjoyable,

[BirdofPrey]

Hi Jim, I stored mine with the soft top up. The top didn't have creases and I didn't have to worry about mildew. Also keeps all the dust out. Never bothered with the hard top after the first year. Change the oil before storage, fill the tank, add preservative to the fuel, wash the car and cover it. A battery tender is a must. Don't start the car during storage unless you plan to drive it.

[007Cruiser]

What benefits are you looking for by allowing the top relax?

[Quickdraw]

What benefits are you looking for by allowing the top relax?

Maybe no benefits at all. It's just part of my storage routine where I unlatch the top (still held by J hooks), leave the doors ajar, and pop the hood and trunk. It just seems that all the seals and weather strips would retain their elasticity if not fully compressed for the winter months and the top may retain its tautness if not constantly stretched to the maximum.

[007Cruiser]

Thanks, Harry. I was guessing that it had to do with the seals.

[Jim G]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I do have the hardtop and was planning on winter storage with that on, but my big concern was crease marks from long time storage with top down. I've stored my Harleys with full cover, full tank (with fuel conditioner), wash-n-waxed and battery tender hooked up, so I know the drill for that. Trading in 2 wheels for 4 has been a bit strange, but both the wife and I are really enjoying the T-bird. Planning a 2 week trip to Newfoundland next week and really looking forward to it.

[Ricker]

Thanks for clearing that up.

I store all of mine with the soft top down and hardtops on, no problems with the tops in the spring.

Same here no problems.