I get what you’re saying about visibility—makes sense that a tarp draws more attention than a beat-up car just sitting there. But I keep wondering, is it really that much harder for the city to check plates or registration instead of just flagging anything with a cover? Like, if the goal is to keep abandoned cars off the street, wouldn’t a quick scan of the tags be more accurate than assuming a covered car’s a problem?
A covered car can look abandoned fast, even if it’s a classic under there.
I get that, but then you’ve got people who actually care about their cars getting penalized, while the real eyesores just blend in. Is this more about aesthetics than actual neglect? Or maybe it’s just about making enforcement easier, even if it’s not totally fair. Has anyone seen a city where they actually check the condition or registration before ticketing? Or is it always just about what’s visible at a glance?
TITLE: CLASSIC CAR STORAGE: ARE NEW CITY RULES GOING TOO FAR?
Honestly, I don’t think it’s just about making things easier for enforcement. There’s probably a bit of “out of sight, out of mind” going on—covered cars just look like they’re sitting for a long time, even if they’re well cared for underneath. But I’ve seen plenty of legit abandoned cars with current tags, too. Just because a car’s registered doesn’t mean it’s not neglected or dumped.
In my area, they usually ticket based on what’s visible, but sometimes they do check plates if someone complains. It’s not a perfect system. I get why people want to protect their classics, but I also get the city wanting to avoid streets full of cars that never move. Still, it feels like the rules end up punishing people who actually maintain their cars and just want to keep them clean or safe from the weather.
Maybe there’s a better balance, like requiring visible tags even with a cover, or some sort of permit for long-term street storage. The blanket ban on covers seems like overkill to me, though.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I think the city’s got a point. Here’s the thing: if you let everyone cover up their cars, it’s way too easy for people to just stash junkers on the street and forget about them. I’ve seen it happen—someone throws a tarp over a car that hasn’t moved in months, and suddenly it’s “protected.” Meanwhile, folks who actually need street parking are out of luck.
If you want to keep your classic safe from the weather, step one: find a garage or rent a spot. Step two: if that’s not an option, at least park it somewhere legal and move it regularly. Step three: keep it clean and registered so it doesn’t look abandoned. I know covers help with paint and all, but public streets aren’t meant for long-term storage, classic or not.
I get that it feels harsh, but if the city doesn’t draw a hard line, people will push the limits. Maybe there could be some kind of permit system, but then you’re just adding more bureaucracy... Not sure there’s a perfect answer here.
I get the frustration, especially if you’re trying to keep a classic in decent shape without breaking the bank. Here’s what I’ve done to avoid tickets and hassle: I use a cheap car cover, but only when I know I’ll be moving the car every couple days. If you can’t swing a garage, maybe look for a buddy with a driveway who’ll let you park for a small fee. Also, keeping the tags current and the car looking “alive” (no flat tires, no dust) seems to keep the city off your back. Not perfect, but it’s worked for me so far.
CLASSIC CAR STORAGE: ARE NEW CITY RULES GOING TOO FAR?
That’s pretty much my playbook too, except I swear the city’s got some kind of sixth sense for when I forget to dust off the windshield. One time I left my old Datsun parked for three days (tags up to date, tires fine), and boom—warning sticker. Guess it looked “abandoned” because I hadn’t moved it an inch.
I get why they want to keep the streets clear of junkers, but man, sometimes it feels like they’re just looking for any excuse. The car cover trick works until someone complains or the wind whips it off halfway. And garages around here cost more than my rent... not even joking.
Honestly, I wish there was some kind of classic car permit or something. Like, let us park as long as we’re not turning the place into a junkyard. Not sure if that’d ever fly with the city though.
