In The Garage Outdoor Car Shield
Regardless of what car you own, looking after it not only helps resale value but also increases enjoyment whenever the notion of driving it takes you.
The 2002 Vauxhall VX220, or Opel Speedster as it’s known in Europe sits on a similar chassis to the Lotus Elise and the bodywork is fiberglass.
Having owned this car for eight years, I’ll admit the fiberglass bit is a downright pain during the winter months as these little machines—like the Elise—suffer from paint blistering and cracking because of frost.
Despite it being stored in a heated lock-up to keep such defects at bay, a quick house move meant it would sit on a driveway exposed to the elements for months to come. After surfing the web for a solution, Switzerland-based firm In The Garage, and its inflatable car bubbles, popped up and after three years of use here are my thoughts.
What Is It?
Put simply, it’s a large inflatable bubble that delivery drivers will gawk at and question what’s inside.
Diving into further detail; it sits on a washable 0.60mm PVC floor, has 0.4mm PVC panels all around and is inflated by two 380 CFM (644 m3/hour) fans which replace the air five times per hour.
Likewise, two large charcoal filters absorb and trap particles and debris from dirty air.
In The Garage Outdoor Car Shield
Frost aside, condensation is one of the main threats to storing your vehicle outside and despite being in a heated garage with the roof off and the windows folded down, the VX220 often succumbed to a moldy, and sometimes wet, interior.
How Easy Is It To Set Up?
Of course, having a garage is always going to be easier—there’s nothing to set up! During the summer months, the Outdoor Car Shield takes up a lot of room in our 4×6 garden shed but a simpler way to store it would be via a Keter box or similar.
When it comes time to set it up, I often employ my wife or a neighbor as it’s a lot easier with additional assistance. The set up process is easy and you start off by clearing the spot it’s going to sit on as large stones could puncture the PVC floor.
Inside the inflated bubble
Secondly, make sure it’s away from any roughcasting as the wind will be sure to catch it once inflated, and lastly, never inflate it without a car inside. You will feel silly—and be the talk of the town—once it takes flight and becomes lodged in a nearby tree.
Unboxing to being fully inflated takes roughly 10 minutes.
How Good Is It?
It tackles 50-to-60 mph winds easily; sure, it’ll rock from side to side, but if you opt for a slightly larger size, it shouldn’t touch your car. It’s also protected my beloved from falling roof slates, bird poop, tree sap and Sahara dust.
Similarly, I always wash and dry the car before tucking it away for the winter, and every time I’ve removed it from the Car Shield in the spring, it’s remained mold-free. There’s also a neat little floppy window at the front allowing you to keep a close eye on what’s going on inside.
In The Garage Outdoor Car Shield
Despite it being squeezed into a garden shed from October to March—and embracing the Scottish elements—the Outdoor Car Shield has remained rip-free, but it does come with a handy hole repair kit should you need it.
Now, depending on how long you run it for—the VX220 is usually protected for six or seven months—it’ll cost around $1.60 per month based on 12 cents per kWh. U.K. users should see costs of around £2.10 per month. Of course, this will depend on your electricity tariff.
Should It Replace My Garage And How Much Does It Cost?
If you have a weather-tight garage then there’s really no point in knocking it down for one of these. If your garage is filled with other cars—and you’ve just bought another without thinking about where you’ll store it—then this is absolutely worth a look.
In The Garage also offers indoor solutions; there’s even a bubble big enough to fit a motorhome. If motorbikes are more your thing, there’s one for those too. Outdoor Car Shields are priced from £649 ($679) and are available in eight sizes.
