83-86 Tbird Car Covers

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83-86 Tbird Car Covers

June 08, 2009, 08:04:08 AM

Does anyone have a car cover for their 83-86 TBird?

I'm looking for one and some of the 'semi-custom' covers (no mirror pockets, not 100% custom cut, etc) I saw on other cars look and fit nice but I never saw one on a 83-86 TBird.

I'd hate to order one and have 3 feet hanging off of the end! :disappoin

Custom covers from California Car Cover are pricey but at least they would fit.

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #1 – June 08, 2009, 09:50:53 AM

OK, let me step in here since you said the magic words ("California Car Cover").

I have had one from them since 1998 and it's pretty nice. I believe the regular version is roughly $220-250. It's a heavy cotton blend similar to a heavy sweatshirt but a lot thicker. If it gets wet it's REALLY heavy but otherwise it does the job pretty well for most things. I believe it's an indoor cover and rated for some outdoor use.

A few weeks ago I ordered their waterproof outdoor cover for the convertible. It is extremely thin (like a thin nylon jacket), will offer no protection from hail damage, and wasn't even worth half of the $450 price IMO. I feel it's a huge ripoff and will be returning it shortly.

So it'shiznit-or-miss with CCC. Even when you call them before ordering, I'm not sure that you'd be directed toward the correct style for your needs. Not knocking the company, just relating my experiences with them.

BTW, there were mirror pockets in both covers.

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #2 – June 08, 2009, 10:51:33 AM

also try finding the company called covercraft. they make alot of covers and though some may be custom they'll have everything you need. When i worked at my local speed parts and accessories place we'd get a lot of there stuff and they fit perfectly

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #3 – June 08, 2009, 10:55:34 AM

you can go on autoanything.com and look them up for your vehicle im on there now and the prices range from 50 to like 300 and you can choose indoor or outdoor

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #4 – June 08, 2009, 12:10:40 PM

California Car Cover, Covercraft, Griot's Garage and many others source there cover material from Kimberly Clark and many of the materials have trademarked names that KC requires them to use in their advertising such as Noah, Dustop, etc. So when shopping for a cover and you see a material name that is same but sold by different companies, it will be the same cover. So you can do a little price shopping and still get the same product.

I personally have a custom fit (with mirror pockets) Covercraft Technalon III cover that I have used since 1989 and it's still holding up well although 99% of it's use time has been indoors.

It's still offered today but their current name is "Block-It Evolution" and California Car Cover sells it under the name of "Stormweave".
It gets softer with age and is thick enough that it will protect your car from the occasional door ding if your significant other happens to open her car door too far. ;)

I have had both styles on various cars, and I would pay the extra money to have a custom fit cover.

Brent

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #5 – June 08, 2009, 10:22:44 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;276434

OK, let me step in here since you said the magic words ("California Car Cover").

I have had one from them since 1998 and it's pretty nice. I believe the regular version is roughly $220-250. It's a heavy cotton blend similar to a heavy sweatshirt but a lot thicker. If it gets wet it's REALLY heavy but otherwise it does the job pretty well for most things. I believe it's an indoor cover and rated for some outdoor use.

A few weeks ago I ordered their waterproof outdoor cover for the convertible. It is extremely thin (like a thin nylon jacket), will offer no protection from hail damage, and wasn't even worth half of the $450 price IMO. I feel it's a huge ripoff and will be returning it shortly.

So it'shiznit-or-miss with CCC. Even when you call them before ordering, I'm not sure that you'd be directed toward the correct style for your needs. Not knocking the company, just relating my experiences with them.

BTW, there were mirror pockets in both covers.

Perfect timing, I just ordered a custom CCC cover for another car last week! :) and it sounds like the one you got! duh

However, I am just looking for a lightweight indoor cover so maybe it will be fine. Something light and small when it's folded up and easy to put on and take off. The sales guy, Jason, at CCC was very helpful and described the pros and cons of each cover better than what is in their catalog or online.

I have a heavy cover from years ago like you describe too. If I need any kind of ding protection, I throw on the heavy cover. If the hail gets too large, I doubt any cover will help at that point.

I'll let you know what I think about my CCC cover in about a week!

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #6 – June 08, 2009, 10:46:45 PM

OK, for what you're doing I think that lightweight cover will be perfect. It folds really small...in fact I couldn't believe how small the shipping box was. You got a good salesman it seems...very cool, I hope everything works out.

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #7 – June 08, 2009, 10:47:11 PM

Quote from: 85TBird5ltr;276455

also try finding the company called covercraft. they make alot of covers and though some may be custom they'll have everything you need. When i worked at my local speed parts and accessories place we'd get a lot of there stuff and they fit perfectly

I looked into Covercraft and unfortunately you can't buy directly from them, you have to go through one of their dealers ( JC Whitney, Groit's, etc) and they didn't have a custom cover for my car. They do list custom covers for my 83 TBird and they seem to be priced about the same, or higher than CCC.

They list 'Ready-Fit' semi-custom cover too but unless you see one on a car you never know how good it will fit.

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #8 – June 08, 2009, 10:51:10 PM

Quote from: EricCoolCats;276596

OK, for what you're doing I think that lightweight cover will be perfect. It folds really small...in fact I couldn't believe how small the shipping box was. You got a good salesman it seems...very cool, I hope everything works out.

Sounds like the one I'm getting. I hope I like it.

I called about a week earlier and had a terrible salesman...couldn't be bothered with anything, he just wanted to take an order. Needless to say I didn't order and gave them one more try a week later. Luckily this time I got someone polite and competent!

I wonder how they will handle you returning a custom cover??

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #9 – June 16, 2009, 09:29:42 PM

Got my CCC WeatherShield HP cover yesterday, I'm happy with it. If you are looking for any ding protection this cover isn't for you. If you are looking for a lightweight cover this cover -is- for you. It arrived in a box that was only 7"x7"x24" and will probably fold up to that size again. Nice quality, kind of a nylon feeling fabric but not smooth and soft like a flannel cover.

Fits well and adding the antenna hole/grommet was pretty simple.

Doesn't anyone here have a semi-custom cover for their 83-86 TBird??? Maybe I'll be the first!:D

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #10 – June 17, 2009, 08:30:13 AM

Sounds like the one I just sent back to them LOL.
Good for you, it sounds like you got what you wanted. I didn't have a problem with the cover other than it being waaayyyy too much money for what I received. It fit very nicely, folded up well (yes, it does fit back in that box!) and seemed to be durable enough.

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #11 – June 17, 2009, 08:13:38 PM

Yea, the main thing I was looking for was small and lightweight and this cover sure is. Mine was a little cheaper than yours and I can see how you would expect more for $450.

Do you have another type of cover in mind for your car?

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #12 – June 17, 2009, 10:36:47 PM

Yes I do...will report back when it's ordered.

83-86 Tbird Car Covers

Reply #13 – June 18, 2009, 09:38:18 PM

Here's another source in case you didn't find this one.

http://www.autochic.com/

I requested a quote for an 83 TBird cover. I'll let you know what I get back.