A man in the Jacksonville, Florida area discovered the heartbreaking consequences of inadequate vehicle storage preparation when he retrieved his classic Chevrolet Impala convertible from a storage facility to find that rodents had used the interior as nesting material, chewing through wiring, upholstery, and other components with a thoroughness that left the car requiring extensive and expensive restoration. The Impala, which had been in good condition when it went into storage, required damage assessment that painted a bleak picture of what several months in an unsecured storage environment can do to a classic car’s interior and mechanical systems.
Rodent damage to stored vehicles is more common than most owners realize and causes losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars annually across the country. Mice and rats are attracted to the warmth, materials, and food residue often found in vehicles, and once established they can cause extraordinary damage in a short period. Classic car storage best practices include using rodent deterrents such as sealed compartments, peppermint oil, ultrasonic devices, and regular inspection visits. Storage facilities that are climate-controlled and actively managed for pest control provide significantly better protection than unmonitored facilities, and the premium for quality storage is almost always justified by the protection it provides for a vehicle of this value and sentiment.
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