Keep Your Classic Under Cover

The earth is constantly trying to reclaim your vintage car. Moisture will eat away at its sheet metal, while the sun’s rays will bake its paint, rubber, and plastic. The best storage situation for your car is to put it in a garage, but even then, you will want to keep an eye of the ambient temperature and humidity levels. Consider proper insulation for your garage as well as a dehumidifier if you live in a damp climate.

Using a soft car cover can also help keep dust at bay. Place a drip tray underneath the car so that any fluid leaks don’t soak into your garage floor.

If you must park your collector car in a barn or building with an earthen floor, spread a tarp out and park atop it. This will keep the earth’s moisture from creeping up and accelerating rust damage.

When you’re out driving your car, consider where you will park it when you reach your destination. A shaded spot is best — and not just because it’ll help prevent you from scalding your skin on hot black vinyl seats. Limiting sun exposure will preserve your paint, interior, and rubber seals. And if a bird leaves its mark on your car’s paint, remove it right away with water and a soft towel before the acidity eats away at the top layer of paint. It’s not a bad idea to keep a couple of microfiber towels and maybe a good spray detailer in the trunk so you can quickly address any gifts from our winged friends.

Watch Your Fluids

A modern car might remind you when to change the oil, but your classic won’t. Experts generally recommend changing your classic car’s engine oil at least once a year, even if you’ve driven it only a few hundred miles. The additives in engine oil can break down over time, rendering it less effective at lubricating mechanical bits. This is especially true in climates that experience a wide range of temperatures throughout the year.

Differential, transfer-case, and gearbox oil doesn’t need to be swapped out with the same frequency, though it’s a good idea to inspect levels periodically. Brake fluid, on the other hand, should be replaced every few years in any vehicle as it absorbs moisture from the air and thus becomes both more corrosive and less effective.

Use a battery tender, they’re widely available online for as little as $25 or so. A must have for any car that isn’t driven too often. Older cars inevitably have a battery drain of some sort, and you don’t want to experience that sinking feeling of a dead battery on a beautiful afternoon.

Don’t Forget to Drive Your Car

While some collector cars are meant to be preserved for their ultra-low mileage, those that are driven regularly will inevitably run the best. It’s not good enough to simply start the engine and let the car idle for 10 minutes once a month. Doing so doesn’t heat up the drivetrain to normal operating temperatures, and it doesn’t involve rolling the tires, which can quickly develop flat spots. Vehicles that are regularly driven tend experience fewer mechanical issues. Regular use is also good for seals and gaskets, they won’t dry out as quickly and help you avoid pesky leaks or worse, fluid starvation.

Then again, do we really need to remind you to hop in your classic car and take it for a drive? Probably not!