A dry, ventilated place
Moisture is the main enemy of an old body. A closed space without ventilation can do more harm than an open carport.
Maintenance
Maintenance
An old car usually suffers less from mileage than from standing still, damp and time. Here are the general principles of caring for a classic car; look for specific schedules, capacities and specifications in the factory manual and catalogues for your model.
Storage
A breathable cover
Thick plastic sheeting traps condensation underneath. For storage, a breathable cover is the usual choice.
Wheels and suspension
During long storage, tyres deform where they touch the ground. Owners move the car periodically or take the weight off the wheels — choose the method according to the recommendations for the model.
Laying up for winter: the logic of preparation
The sequence is general; check the list of jobs for a particular car in its manual.
Wash and dry
Dirt and salt on the underbody and in the wheel arches hold moisture. Before storage, the body is washed and allowed to dry completely.
Inspect hidden cavities
Sills, the lower parts of the doors and the wheel arches are where corrosion starts unnoticed. Note their condition so you have something to compare with in spring.
Look after the battery
The battery is disconnected or kept topped up with a maintenance charger used according to its instructions, so it does not discharge deeply during storage.
Think about the fuel
What to do with the tank and fuel system during long storage depends on the design; follow the recommendations for your model.
Record everything you did
Date, list of jobs, condition of components — such records are useful both when recommissioning the car and when selling it.
What ages without mileage
| What | Why it ages | Where to check intervals and specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Brake fluid | Absorbs moisture from the air, even when the car is standing | Factory manual and catalogues for the model |
| Engine and gearbox oil | Oxidises and loses its properties over time | Manual: oil type and time-based intervals |
| Coolant | Loses its corrosion-protection properties | Manual: coolant type for the cooling system |
| Tyres | Rubber ages regardless of mileage; the date of manufacture is marked on the sidewall | Tyre manufacturer’s recommendations |
| Hoses, pipes, seals | Rubber hardens and cracks | Inspection and the parts catalogue for the model |
Source Factory documentation and parts catalogues for the specific model
Documentation: what to collect
- The factory owner’s manual and, if you can find one, the workshop manual for your model and year
- A parts catalogue with part numbers — it makes finding the correct replacement easier
- Registration documents and records of previous owners, if they survive
- A record of every job: date, what was done, which parts and fluids were used
- Photographs of the body and components before and after work
Sources
- Factory owner’s and workshop manuals
- Parts catalogues for specific models
- Recommendations from tyre and fluid manufacturers
This reference covers the history of automotive engineering and general principles. Take service schedules, capacities, torque settings and component specifications for a particular model only from the factory manual and parts catalogues. Check registration rules and the rules on modifications with the official authorities.