Classic Car Cleaning and Considerations
There are some things most people do not clean very well, even when they enter their car into a car show, but believe me it matters, and having been a judge of such events, I can tell you one easy disqualifier; dirty seatbelts. So, how do you clean the seat belts on your classic car you ask? Well, let me give you the secrets to the trade.
When you take your car in to get an auto detail, you’ll be amazed at the attention they spend on cleaning and treating the interior. In fact, it is liable to look better than new. And really for the price of an auto detail these days, well, it ought to, right? Sure, and still, having been in the business for decades, one thing I’ve noticed is that so often auto-detailers skip things, items that you and I would notice in our own cars. One of those things is the seat belts.
Yes, that’s right the seatbelts and there is a right way and a wrong way to clean them too. Seatbelts get stains
Classic Car Insurance Guide
If you’re a classic car owner, you’re probably quite proud of your vehicle. You’ve gone through lot’s of trouble finding, buying, repairing, and restoring your classic car to get it into tip top shape. If you have all this time and money invested into your vehicle, you’re probably thinking about how you can insure and protect it.
However, you can’t just call up your regular insurance company and get proper insurance for your classic car. Since classic cars are valued differently than newer ones, insuring them is quite different. Classic cars are one of a kind investments, which takes special expertise to value and insure. Fortunately for you, classic car insurance is offered by several niche insurance companies. You can find these companies on the internet rather quickly.
Tips For Buying a Classic Car
Whatever type of classic car you are contemplating, and you have definitely made the decision that you want to buy a classic car, the No 1 reason that will dictate the type and condition of your potential car is ‘money’. You may really want a pristine E-type Jaguar or Bentley but unless you are prepared to pay a handsome sum, then you will not get what you want or the car will be not up to scratch. The many tips on buying a modern car do apply but should be taken even further when looking to buy a classic car.
So, getting the main obstacle, the money, out of the way, what else dictates the type of classic car you may want? Well, unfortunately, in a lot of circumstances the heart rules the head and the practicalities of owning and running a classic car may differ from what you anticipate. Let’s face it, modern cars are very reliable, they start almost immediately, they are comfortable, relatively economical, are quick, handle well, the brakes are spot-on (especially with ABS), they have great heaters, CD players –
Top Tips to Minimise Your Service and Repair Bills
Owning a vehicle can be a costly venture. Not only do you need to plan for the initial purchase and rising cost of fuel but you will also need to plan for service and repair bills throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. While a regular Subaru car service schedule is important, it is possible to minimise the need for servicing and repair with some basic preventative measures.
1. Buy Fuel at a Reputable Service Station:
Many consumers have found that their vehicles suffer a drop in performance after buying fuel at certain service stations. This is likely because the garage has neglected basic maintenance changing the filters on each of the pumps. This allows particles of debris to be mixed with the fuel and enter into your engine. While your Subaru car service may include changing your fuel filter, you could have already suffered damage to your engine. It is far better to find a reputable garage who have a strict policy regarding their pump filters.
2. Discard Your Old Keys:
Many people develop a huge collection of keys on their key chain. While this appears to be a harmless habit, it can actually
A Few Tips to New Drivers
A ton of research has been done on new drivers. The resulting factors are actually quite terrible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states:-
1. The new drivers are seen to have the maximum number of accidents.
2. Crashes in motor-cycles are the causes of death of most 15-20 year olds. 40% of teen deaths in every town are caused by this.
3. 50% of all fatal accidents happen at night when 16-19 year olds are driving.
4. The hours of 9:00 to 6:00 are the time for 43% of all teen motor vehicle deaths.
5. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is the time for 54% of all motor vehicle deaths.
6. Alcohol is involved in about 36% of the crashes responsible for killing young people.
In case you choose not to be a part of these statistics, here are a few tips to help you go through these:-
1. Seat belts- Make sure you always wear your seat belt and do not move the car until all the passengers have buckled up.
2. Timing-A major reason for accidents in teens has been speeding. The faster your car is moving,
Ways to Successfully Own a Classic Vintage Car
It is every common man’s dream to own a vehicle. These days owning a car is more of a necessity than a luxury. However, owning a classic car is a unique experience. A vintage car is definitely the owner’s pride and gives you a whole lot of benefit when you require selling the car. Just like any other investment there are a lot of problems that come along with buying a vintage car.
If you’ve decided to buy a classic car there are a lot of things that need your consideration, a few are discussed below.
Before you go ahead and invest in buying a car you need to thoroughly understand why exactly you would like to own the vehicle. It is advisable that you clearly understand your situation. A classic car even if it is in perfect condition might have issues such as squeaky tires. It is also common that the steering and brakes are completely different from the ones that you are used to. In comparison to the cars manufactured in the modern generation, these vintage cars are rough to handle and do not run smoothly. Deciding on choosing a classic car depends on
How To Buy A Lucrative Muscle Car
There is always a difference between an ordinary vehicle and a muscle car. A muscle car brings on a cool attitude when you are driving. If you prefer extreme driving and love sports such as drag racing, a muscle car can suit you best. These exclusive vehicles are available in various designs. Different models have different styles and features. They are tough, hardy, trendy and reflect a masculine attitude. These types of cars are eye catchy and can easily be spotted with its unusual bright look.
Some people prefer to choose sophisticated cars for smooth driving. Normally youngsters prefer extreme, hard hitting driving. They require fast moving cars that can withstand rush driving or extreme driving through hill areas. If you are adventurous and enjoy being with a sporty group of friends, then you may like to enjoy thrilling experience in your vehicle. Muscle cars will be the best option for you in this situation. These types of cars are hard and designed in a stylish way. You get a wide range of variety of these vehicles at affordable prices.
If you are determined to buy a hardy automobile, you must know the difference between this
Tips on Storing Your Classic Car Over the Winter
We don’t let our classic cars go out on hire in the depths of winter, particularly once the first frosts arrive and the councils start spreading salt on the roads. Our cars were never rustproofed when new and even though we tend to Waxoyl them ourselves this can never be done completely and always leaves untreated bodywork which is subject to the dreaded tin worm.
We take them all off the road over the winter and work through our list of improvements and put them all through our garage for their main annual service. Putting them away for the winter isn’t just a matter of driving them into the garage and we do, and recommend that classic car owners do, as much of the following as is practicable.
Clean and polish the whole car properly, including the underside of the bonnet and boot lids and as much of the engine bay as is reachable. Empty the boot and clean and polish the inside of the boot and the boot floor.
While you have the spare wheel out make sure it is clean and check the tyre pressure. As tyres can lose a bit of pressure
How Auto Lifts Make Working on Classic Cars Easier
Owning a classic car is often called a labor of love. Anyone that has one knows that the project is never finished. Once the older vehicle is running, other parts often need to be restored. For serious classic car enthusiasts, garages, car lifts and tools are all important elements to restoring older vehicles. Casual mechanics focus on keeping them competitive at car shows or at least the road worthy and fun to drive. Those with auto lifts have an easier time maintaining vehicles that are at least 25 years old. These repairs are unique to older cars and often require the car to be up in the air to access parts that need to be refurbished, repaired or replaced. Some popular projects include rear-end replacement, exhaust system, transmission and the brake system.
Rear-End
Changing out the rear-end of a vehicle affects how it handles and enhances safety. Owners might also relieve wear on other parts by changing the rear differential to another ratio, and may improve fuel mileage performance and speed in the process. Accessing the differential and connected parts can be done with a vehicle on ramps, but it is easier and faster when the
How To Organize Your Classic Car Restoration Garage
Is all the junk eating up all your garage space and your classic cars are getting withered away outside in the sun, in the rain and in the storm? Classic cars are prized possessions and are not meant to lie outside amidst garbage heaps. Your car restoration garage needs to be organized and all the things need to be put in their proper places. Read on to know how you will do so.
THE STEPS:
Sort out the articles that can be reused. Throw out broken stuff and sell off such things which you will never need. If you want to derive some profits, you can also go for a garage sale.
Reorganize those things which you want to retain. Keep things of similar use together. For example, put the air tools in one place, the air compressors in another place etc.
Buy some plastic bins. You will need them. You will have to stuff all the camping gear, the craft suppliers into them. Buy some beans in which you can lock up expensive items which are expensive and which are dangerous.
Redo the walls of your garage. Fix some shelves or cabinets
How To Evaluate A Classic Car
For most car collectors, the hardest part of evaluating a classic car is keeping their emotions in check. These tips can help guide you in letting your left brain do the evaluation.
You should begin your evaluation in a location where you can clearly see the automobile, either outdoors on a bright day or in a well lit indoors spot. Take along a note pad or a printed spreadsheet to note down any imperfections you see – this will help you in price bargaining later if you decide to make a bid for the car. Don’t rely on your memory to retain these details. Take pictures if you have a camera.
Stand well back from the car and look at it from all angles. From a distance you’ll see imperfections in the paint or body that you might miss at closer range. Slowly move closer, inspecting the paint further along with the finishing work. Look for signs of repainting or body work. Check the doors. Are they corroded with rust? Are the hinges still in one piece? Keep in mind that any problems you find are not necessarily deal breakers, but they should be taken into
How to Fix Common Classic Car Problems
Classic cars are just like any ordinary car-all cars come with their own problems. They can be mechanical, physical or technical. If you wish to keep your classic car in perfect shape, then you will need first hand knowledge of how to take care of it, as it is very important. You must take it upon yourself to know the most common problems and issues faced by many classic car owners.
The most common of course are oil leaks. Leaks tend to happen in the valve covers, main seals and front seals. Once you find a leak, you must fix them as soon as possible. Make sure the old parts are completely removed from both valve covers.
Rubber seals located around the doors and windows are another common area of concern. The rubber help keep out external elements such as cold, rain and dust, but most seals wear down after constant use, sun and heat. Replace them if you can, by scraping it off using a knife. Remove the residual glue by cleaning it with denatured alcohol. Once it’s clean and all set, install the new seal and clean it occasionally using a vinyl treatment product.
Tips For Getting Classic Car Insurance
Depending on usage, there are several options for classic car insurance. Although getting the right insurance is not complicated, there are some things that are not obvious.
Many owners make the mistake of calling their current insurance agent and just writing another policy. Seems reasonable enough and hassle free, just roll it under your other auto insurance. It is estimated that the majority of vintage classic cars are in fact insured this way. Owners are paying higher premiums and getting less coverage.
The danger is that the policy your agent gave you is probably the same as your current vehicle. Even if your current vehicle is a high dollar car, is it appreciating in value? If you own your current car for 3-4 years and need to collect insurance in a total loss, the payout will be based on the depreciating car value. On the other hand, if you have a beautiful 1967 GTO staring at you from your driveway, do you think it will be worth more or less three years from now? Hint: probably a lot more!
Do not use a standard insurance plan
Classic car insurance has been available for years.
How to Determine Classic Car Values
Gauging classic car values can be a tough task to achieve, but if you are buying such a car or you already own one this knowledge is very necessary. Below are some tips on finding out the market, or book value of your collector car.
The most important determinant of vintage car values is how rare the car is. In other words, the value of cars that were built as part of a limited series are worth a lot more than their more generic siblings.
Generally it holds true that the more famous the make (or brand) the higher the price or value of the car. In terms of the highest classic car values, the most famous collector cars are Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Auburn, BMW, Ford, Hummer, Porsche, Chrysler, Cord, Jaguar, Fiat, Volkswagen, Schwarz, Lamborghini, Lincoln, Mazda, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet, Prowler, Tucker and Dodge to name a few. These are therefore also the ones with the highest value.
Also, vintage cars with mainly original parts have a higher value than cars, which have been modernized with things such as an air conditioning unit and other embellishments. Therefore this is another thing you should remember when
Maintaining Your Classic Car
Classic cars have a look and feel which harken back to a simpler time for the auto industry and the country. These works of art have power and grace that is just not reproduced in today’s automotive world. But these rare and beautiful cars are still aged, even when they’ve been rebuilt. So there are many tips on how to make sure that your classic car stays cherry for all your years of use and appreciation.
Get and Consult Owner’s Manual – Maintaining a classic car is no easy feat. These beauties have been through a lot of driving in most cases, and many of these cars, depending on make and model, have very specialized and specific maintenance and service needs.
Some cars require the addition of lead agent to replicate the conditions they had when gas was not unleaded. Some require special oil or fluids in order to best operate within the difficult to replace engine.
Get the Right Part – Many cars now have various manufacturers who make third-party pieces to help repair and maintain vehicles. However, older cars aren’t so readily swapped out with pieces from different cars, which usually means classic
How To Choose A Transportation Company For Your Classic Car
Whether you’re relocating abroad or just need your car waiting for you at your end destination, you need to be sure that you can trust your transportation company with your pride and joy. But when you’re browsing online or consulting the trusty yellow pages, how can you make sure that you’re choosing the right classic car transportation company?
In my experience, there are a number of aspects to a transportation company that make them stand out from the crowd. After all, you need to remember, this isn’t just any car they’re transporting.
First of all, always check that the transport company you choose has specialist transport. An enclosed carrier is nearly always best because otherwise you risk the car getting scratched by stones and tarmac that are loose. If your classic car hasn’t been worked on yet then an open carrier might be suitable if you’re not worried about scratches, but those wishing to stay cautious should opt for something enclosed.
Secondly, look for a company that has experience of transporting classic cars. Every car is different and some need extra care if they are very fragile. An experienced company won’t need as much guidance
Classic Car Sales Tips
When a man comes to the drastic decision of selling his classic car, it can be very difficult. Even if one is not a collector, a vintage car model is called such for a reason and the seller may well have had it in his possession since he was a teenager. However painful it may be, if one has to sell one’s car, one might as well do a good job at it. Classic car sales, unlike the conventional used car sales, can be difficult because the people interested in getting the latest Ford SUV will be interested in getting your Buick 8. Classic car sales can be difficult to set up and get through, and there are some things that anyone selling a vintage auto has to remember.
The first is to know why you’ve come to the point of parting with the car in the first place. Classic car sales tend to have a few reasons that are approaching stereotype status in the vintage car market. The primary reason people mention is that they can no longer properly maintain their vehicles or keep them in good condition. While some classic car owners will not part
How to Check Classic Cars for Sale
The world of classic cars is one of great solidarity and shared interest. However, like any area involving a lot of money and competition, it’s always possible to be fooled into making a costly and disappointing mistake. Before you put your money on the line with any vintage cars for sale, there are a few major points you need to check to protect yourself. Here are some top tips for checking out classic automobile
Always check if classic cars come with their original documentation. Papers like MOT certificates, mechanics log books or vehicle registration all add to the story and help to back up any claims the seller has about his classic automobiles.
Find out what work any classic cars for sale have had done. If the car in question has been an amateur project, take someone along who knows what they’re looking at to check nothing’s been damaged. A vintage car can look perfect on the outside, but if someone’s been tinkering about with the engine that doesn’t know what they’re doing then it’s probably best to walk away.
Try to get the seller to tell you why he’s putting up his cars for
5 Great Tips For Restoring Classic Cars
Restoration is a must for any classic car owner who wants to have the authentic look and feel of the model they have. While restoring a vintage car may be no easy task, the rewards are great: your car will increase its value, and you get to ride in an almost authentic make.
You can easily have a shop that specializes in restoration fix your car. But if you want to tinker around and do restoration on your own, here are 5 great tips that you can easily follow.
1. Inspect the car thoroughly, and keep a list of things you want to restore. Do not go and immediately replace everything–some parts may still be usable. The top things that you need to replace are: heavily-rusted parts, chrome parts that could not be shined by polishing, broken windows, upholstery that are heavily worn-out, and of course, everything mechanical that does not work.
2. For the non-mechanical parts (e.g. windows, chrome parts), it would be much better to look for parts cars first. Parts cars are cars that could not be feasibly restored, but has parts that could be reused. By shopping around for parts cars,
Tips For Collecting Classic Cars
You’ve always wanted that model T Ford but been afraid to take the plunge. How does one get spares? How much does it cost to maintain a classic car? How do you know you are not getting ripped off when you buy one?
Here are a few basic tips to get you on the road to collecting classic cars. Keep in mind that they are essentially second hand cars so you don’t rush into a deal.
You may have come across advertisements in the local newspapers about sales of such cars. However, it is a good idea to steer clear of your local newspaper.
Check the classified posts for classic cars at hemmings.com or sportscarmarket.com. Interact with classic cars collectors at vintage car shows, collector meets and other high end events. You could also try looking for them at auctions organized by well-known auctioneers.
When looking at buying such a car, check its condition and then check its value against a price guide. Do some amount of background research to see that you are getting value for your money. Look up any associations that may specialize in that particular classic car model. They will