Hey all,
It's looking as though my mini will soon have to vacate the garage as the space is required for other things, and it will probably be out there for a good 8 months at least I'd say. It's just a shell (no glass, subframes or removable panels), and would appreciate any tips for having it stay in as best condition as is possible through the winter. I was thinking a tarp or two, but apparently they do just as much bad as good.
Any ideas?
Thanks.

i wouldnt go a tarp, maybe a high quality car cover (not a cheap nylon one) would be your best bet?

I am in the same situation as yourself.
Just got a mini for my son and it will take a couple of years to totally restore.
I'm not putting my mini outside so i went and got one of those cheap car covers, the type with the frame and cover.
At least most of the rain will stay off.
As you said, a tarp sitting directly on your car is worse as it still gets wet inside and turns into a sauna.

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76 1275 Leyland S

2or 3 x big hoops of steel rod bent from the gound & right over the car to the other side, with a tarp ontop of that roped on, so as the tarp doesn`t touch the car, whack another tarp under it all & Bob`s your Aunty, cheap as chips.

easy-peasy

otherwise go see supercheap for their fold up type sissor action cover thingys about $200 last time i looked

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Buy one of those sunshade awnings that Big W and K-Mart sell. You know the kind that you assemble like a tent but has no sides... for BBQ's and crap. That'll keep the sun off it, put a tarp over that, there's the rain problem fixed, and then a car cover on the car - and thats for the dust.

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- Simon -

I bought one of these. Cost me around $200 from the US but well worth it. It's ALL weather proof and has the little vents around the top to allow some air flow under the cover.

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Bought one of those... one VERY windy night and it was forked legs buckled, read the tag "Not to be used as a permanent structure". Go for the other one, the white one with the windows etc. it's stronger.

ive seen This thing on the back on a unique car mag and Its like a big Blow up Bag for your car And you use a air pump To blow it up. heres the link http://www.carcoon.com.au

Mine unfortunately has to live outside too....and as some of the other guys have said, if you value it, invest in a decent car cover......I bought one that is 100% waterproof, and has breathing holes etc.....expect to pay at least $100 for a decent one, it'll be worth it in the long term.
It's good that ur mini doesnt have windows in it, that will prevent moisture building up inside.....Oh, and if it doesnt have subframes etc, as u say, make sure u keep it up off the ground

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1962 Morris 850.....with a 1310

1998 Toyota starlet.....161.1hp atw

If your road-going Mini has to live outside and you are trying to keep the sun and heat out, there are now Australian-made reflective sunshades designed specifically to fit these cars. You can see details on http://www.westsunshades.com.au.

My mini lived outside for about 4 years under a carport from Supercheap. The legs come in 2 pieces so when you put it up you can just use the top half of legs. You can drill holes through the joints & use bolts to hold it together & it can be anchored with large tent pegs. Using only half the legs gives the mini more protection. When the cover fell apart I just bought a big silver tarp (from Supercheap also) & attached to the frame. The tarp came down lower on the sides & gave the mini even more protection. Never had any troubles in strong winds & kept the mini dry too. This is similiar to the carport I used:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Carport-3m-x-6m-Silver-With-Vents.aspx?pid=164891#details

This is an old thread, I had to check old emails and things to determine just what car I had at the time I was going to stash outside!

The wife's Clubby van has been under a silver Supercrap tarp for 4 years now, still not rusting.
IMO no cover, and getting rotting leaves in the gutters is the biggest no-no. Why do people store old cars and Mokes under trees...

[edit] I posted this before but in wrong thread..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.