Driving a classic in the current weather
Discussion
Chaps,
I have just bought a 1989 merc sl (R107) and plan to bring it home next week.
Would you drive it on the roads currently? I saw them spreading salt this weekend.
Do you recon it would be ok with a quick jet wash underneath or would you get it transported?
It's coming from north west London to Surrey/Hampshire borders so mostly m25/m3.
I have just bought a 1989 merc sl (R107) and plan to bring it home next week.
Would you drive it on the roads currently? I saw them spreading salt this weekend.
Do you recon it would be ok with a quick jet wash underneath or would you get it transported?
It's coming from north west London to Surrey/Hampshire borders so mostly m25/m3.
It depends how precious it is to you
I wouldn't use much of what I have in the salt
If you do and then follow up with a jet wash make sure it's dry before you store it.
I used my Aero 8 in dry salt one year then I pulled it out of store a few months later only to find corrosion had set in around the nose cone
I wouldn't use much of what I have in the salt
If you do and then follow up with a jet wash make sure it's dry before you store it.
I used my Aero 8 in dry salt one year then I pulled it out of store a few months later only to find corrosion had set in around the nose cone
I've always worked on the assumption you're dead for a very long time, and cars are all about the owners enjoyment/liberation/freedom/'ragging the ass' off them before the former statement becomes reality. The key to classic car ownership isn't 'condition', 'value' or 'other people'.... Its far more intimate, selfish even; its about what makes 'you' happy... If its ragging a '50's Classic Lancia in the December salt, that's fine, and long may it continue in my humble opinion.. If its polishing a Morris Marina for one show a year, thats fine too. Classic cars are not about who has the 'best'; for true enthusiasts its all about the self endulgance of owning and driving your dreams just the way they are.
How very wise Isimmo... I agree entirely...
Isimmo said:
I've always worked on the assumption you're dead for a very long time, and cars are all about the owners enjoyment/liberation/freedom/'ragging the ass' off them before the former statement becomes reality. The key to classic car ownership isn't 'condition', 'value' or 'other people'.... Its far more intimate, selfish even; its about what makes 'you' happy... If its ragging a '50's Classic Lancia in the December salt, that's fine, and long may it continue in my humble opinion.. If its polishing a Morris Marina for one show a year, thats fine too. Classic cars are not about who has the 'best'; for true enthusiasts its all about the self endulgance of owning and driving your dreams just the way they are.
Cheers for advice chaps.
My plan is to enjoy the drive (weather is meant to be relatively good) and enjoy listening to my CDs for a change.
When I get back I will rinse the underside with a hose, check the arch lips etc are clear. Squirt about with a bit of WD40, allow to dry under the carport and then put in the garage when dry.
My plan is to enjoy the drive (weather is meant to be relatively good) and enjoy listening to my CDs for a change.
When I get back I will rinse the underside with a hose, check the arch lips etc are clear. Squirt about with a bit of WD40, allow to dry under the carport and then put in the garage when dry.
Out for a bike ride yesterday down the Woodford Valley near Salisbury, damp slippy conditions but bright and clear. A Ferrari 288 GTO trundles past in the opposite direction, sounded glorious. Plate was 89 GTO and looking at the classifieds the car was probably worth c£1.5M. Fair play to the chap.
tuffer said:
Out for a bike ride yesterday down the Woodford Valley near Salisbury, damp slippy conditions but bright and clear. A Ferrari 288 GTO trundles past in the opposite direction, sounded glorious. Plate was 89 GTO and looking at the classifieds the car was probably worth c£1.5M. Fair play to the chap.
To be fair, my drive it, it's a car was aimed at German build quality, Italian stuff? Nope, my Ducati is tucked up in bed till spring, it rots if someone nearby cries!AndrewCrown said:
How very wise Isimmo... I agree entirely...
I agree too.Isimmo said:
I've always worked on the assumption you're dead for a very long time, and cars are all about the owners enjoyment/liberation/freedom/'ragging the ass' off them before the former statement becomes reality. The key to classic car ownership isn't 'condition', 'value' or 'other people'.... Its far more intimate, selfish even; its about what makes 'you' happy... If its ragging a '50's Classic Lancia in the December salt, that's fine, and long may it continue in my humble opinion.. If its polishing a Morris Marina for one show a year, thats fine too. Classic cars are not about who has the 'best'; for true enthusiasts its all about the self endulgance of owning and driving your dreams just the way they are.
Hooli said:
AndrewCrown said:
How very wise Isimmo... I agree entirely...
I agree too.Isimmo said:
I've always worked on the assumption you're dead for a very long time, and cars are all about the owners enjoyment/liberation/freedom/'ragging the ass' off them before the former statement becomes reality. The key to classic car ownership isn't 'condition', 'value' or 'other people'.... Its far more intimate, selfish even; its about what makes 'you' happy... If its ragging a '50's Classic Lancia in the December salt, that's fine, and long may it continue in my humble opinion.. If its polishing a Morris Marina for one show a year, thats fine too. Classic cars are not about who has the 'best'; for true enthusiasts its all about the self endulgance of owning and driving your dreams just the way they are.
jdw1234 said:
Cheers for advice chaps.
My plan is to enjoy the drive (weather is meant to be relatively good) and enjoy listening to my CDs for a change.
When I get back I will rinse the underside with a hose, check the arch lips etc are clear. Squirt about with a bit of WD40, allow to dry under the carport and then put in the garage when dry.
Whoa!! WD40??My plan is to enjoy the drive (weather is meant to be relatively good) and enjoy listening to my CDs for a change.
When I get back I will rinse the underside with a hose, check the arch lips etc are clear. Squirt about with a bit of WD40, allow to dry under the carport and then put in the garage when dry.
I might be inclined to leave in the car port - probably less moist than a garage
WD40 is funny old stuff, some folks think its fab and swear by , but my experience is that it dries to a sticky gunk and then attracts all manner of bits,grit and muck.
It does depend on what you are putting it on, I suppose. but I prefer thin oil ( 3in1) for a bit of light protection
I was always alarmed at the amount of moisture that my morgan seemed to attract, when in garages - the least moist garage was the one with cracks/holes in the clear polycarb corrugated roof panels - so long as I didn't park underneath them! - the worst being an integral garage.
If you drive it most days and get it properly warmed through garage based moisture shouldn't be an issue - its only when you leave it a few days un touched
It does depend on what you are putting it on, I suppose. but I prefer thin oil ( 3in1) for a bit of light protection
I was always alarmed at the amount of moisture that my morgan seemed to attract, when in garages - the least moist garage was the one with cracks/holes in the clear polycarb corrugated roof panels - so long as I didn't park underneath them! - the worst being an integral garage.
If you drive it most days and get it properly warmed through garage based moisture shouldn't be an issue - its only when you leave it a few days un touched
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