Car storage in Chicago

Greetings messageboarders!

As you probably all know by now....I'm not quite right in the head. To reinforce this, I've recently agreed to purchase a very inexpensive car-- sight unseen--- from Chicago! Yes, there will be fun and shenanigans to come.......

Here's the problem---- the car is in the Logan Square area of Chicago. I need a place to store it safely until I arrive in Chicago on June 27th. I have a "safe house" in the suburbs, but was wondering if anyone had /knew of a garage, parking spot in a driveway / etc where I can place the car until I'm ready to pick it up. This would ideally be close to Logan Square.

I'd also be interested in paying someone a decent fee to transport the car to said "safe-house"--- in Glen Ellyn.

Let me know if any of you Chicagoans have a hook-up for a GRMer. I promise to make it worth your while!

and yes........the car is totally kickass. I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag yet, but I guarantee you will LOVE it!

It is very small, and very light-- so a huge tow-rig is not needed. ( 1900 lbs or so )

You can park it in my driveway, but I am further away from logan square than glen ellyn is.

I also have a truck that could pull it no issues, but I have no trailer.

Let me know if you need help, though I would guess there is someone closer (I am in Chicago Heights).

How about I get a ride from the wife to the car in Logan Square and cruise it back to my garage in Lockport?

Joe Gearin wrote: I have a "safe house" in the Chicago suburbs

I'm pretty sure that phrase immediately gets a message board thread put on some automated watch list somewhere.

And I know what Joe bought. You should all be really jealous.

This 1900lb car doesn't have anything to do with Illinois Nazis does it? Because, I hate Illinois Nazis.

JG Pasterjak wrote:

Joe Gearin wrote: I have a "safe house" in the Chicago suburbs

I'm pretty sure that phrase immediately gets a message board thread put on some automated watch list somewhere. And I know what Joe bought. You should all be really jealous.

Why not tell us then so we can all be jealous? I really would like to know. Is is a P car?

JG Pasterjak wrote:

Joe Gearin wrote: I have a "safe house" in the Chicago suburbs

I'm pretty sure that phrase immediately gets a message board thread put on some automated watch list somewhere.

It's not like he said the car had a secret compartment or anything. Does it?

If you're interested I have a wide open driveway about an hour south of Chicago.

I would love to help you out, I am in Norwood Park. I have one car in the garage sans timing belt. If my wife doesn't get to park on the other side, I sleep in the garage.

Thanks for the offers guys! I've solved the issue by renting the garage that the current owner is currently using. This way my sweet new machine (if you consider a 33 year old machine "new") will be ready and waiting when I arrive in Chicago in a couple of weeks. Keep your fingers crossed, as if all goes well, I'll take ownership tonight!

shameless plug---- I'm racing in the "Drive for 75" charity kart race-- to raise $$ for homeless folks in Chicagoland. The race will be at Autobahn CC on June 29th. Come on out and cheer us on! I'll be on the PB&J's sponsored by the Davi Law Group. Or donate if you can to a great cause:

https://dupagepads.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/Drivefor75/PersonalFundraiserSignupFundraising/tabid/534439/Default.aspx?joinme=34181

and yes---- I'll be driving this machine back home to Florida when I'm done. Also yes--- I'll be enlisting the help of my fellow GRM message-boarders along the route in case of mechanical troubles, explosions, or catastrophic events!

So you know it's 33 years old--- and weighs less than 2000lbs. So what could it be? Ok--- one last clue---- I bought it for $2K---- which is the tippy top of the market for one of these. (if you can find one)

any guesses?

Sinister guess: Maserati BiTurbo? I just want to see one travel cross country.

Real guess and hopeful: Race Prepped Ford Fiesta

Missed this yesterday - hour north of Chicago, but looks like you're covered. Now for the guessing - off the top of my head I'm thinking japanese - but surprised it would survive 33 Chicago winters.

I drove a very well sorted Bi-Turbo once, and it was a lot of fun. Fortunately I got out of the car before it burst into flames--- so no, not a Maser. Not a Fiesta either. ( can you imagine driving a "race prepped" Fiesta all the way from IL to FL?) I can withstand a little punishment, but not that much!

The car in question has been hidden away in a garage for years, and was recently revived. The car I"m planning on buying tonight--- if all goes well---- hasn't been registered since.......1988

Reasonable comfort, small/light, rare but not worth much, and from 1981-ish... My hopes, in order:
Dodge Colt twin stick
Buick/Opel
Renault Fuego.

yugo

I think you are going to be happy John!

If all goes well--- this will be mine tonight!

The plan is to drive it up from Chicago to the HAWK Vintage race in Elkhart Lake WI (it will be in the GRM booth) -- then over to the Motor State Challenge in MI--- and then all the way home to Florida!

I was planning on doing it in a cheaper car--- but I kinda fell in love with this little guy.

A Colt Twin Stick. So much win.

Looks to be in great shape. I like it!

Wow! What a blast from the past!
In that era, I briefly dated a girl who had the same red.
Her's specifically was a Plymouth Champ which she named Rocky, as in Balboa, the Champ.

Some past chatter about Twin Stick:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/hagerty-top-threatened-endangered/49778/page1/

^^ yeah, I was a bit inspired by btabacchi's post----neat little car!

Ah, the blurry lines.
This is surely GRM content but could it transcend in Classic content?
Oh, how fun it would be the show up to something like, "Mopar Night of Fire"

Stop into the local Dodge dealer for service.

This ad says 32/44 mpg

Shown with Supra Rims:

http://www.turbododge.com/forums/f11/f69/460705-84-colt-gts.html

^^^ Those wheels look good on almost everything! For now, I'm sticking to the massive 13" wheels --- the bonus being a set of decent Kumhos will run me about $200!

and the deal is done!

I am now the proud owner of an 81 Champ. It appears everything works, including the rear defrost / wiper, AM/FM radio, and power (yes power) mirrors! The car is even equipped with A/C, but it's not operational currently. About the only thing it's missing is the air cleaner cover, which I'll have to source from somewhere.

Now to plan an epic road-trip in the new machine!

I have to say---- I was a bit nervous about buying a car in the "big city", but the owner was incredibly easy to deal with, and a great guy. He's a bit bummed, as he became attached to the little Plymouth. He's wants me to let him know if I ever want to sell it back. This is a good sign.....