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Last may I purchased a 55 Firedome 4 door from a salvage yard in Phoenix. Six months later, I learned I will be moving to Kadena AFB, Okinawa Japan. It will be nearly impossible to have the car ready in order to ship it and the cost of just owning it there is nearly $3,000 a year in fees and taxes. I have the option of storing it here in Tucson, free, but it is an outdoor storage facility and there is no telling how long I will be gone (3-12+ years). I'm torn between storing it for later restoration and selling and finding another Desoto (hopefully a 53) when I return. Any suggestions? Thank you.
I did my time in the Army so I know what it's like. It's not easy to shuttle projects around from base to base and country to country. I abandoned a car in Korea after spending a great deal of money on it. Stupid, I know, but I had little choice. I couldn't sell it there and I couldn't ship it back. I suggest you sell it. There will always be a nice '53 DeSoto available when you get back.
Good Luck
Steve
I would suggest selling it as well. Outside storage for a minimum of 3 years isn't the best idea for a car that is already 56 years old and probably already has it's share of rust now. By the time you get back, the car would show more deteriation/rust on it as well, and that wouldn't make you happy. You would most likely consider selling it at that point and would probably get less money for it as well. But, in the end it is your decision.
Good Luck!
Jim
Jim
Thanks for the help. I will put it up for sale. In the mean time it will be prepped for storage, just in case. I've heard of some being listed for a few years without a buyer.
