Running something old and or interesting through the winter?
Discussion
Is there anyone who is going to run their older car or classic car right through the winter?
I have a 1985 Scirocco that I've owned for 12 years now and in that time it's always been my daily driver 12 months of the year and lives outside.
In the last couple of weeks I've done my usual pre winter routine:
Check Antifreeze and strengthen
Underseal rear arches, rear valace, entire floorplan, brake and fuel lines, front arches, inner wings, front valance, bonnet leading edge, door bottoms
Apply two coats of Autoglym HD Wax
Check and clean earths and connections under the bonnet
Winter tyres are ready if needed
Photo from a couple of weeks ago:

I have a 1985 Scirocco that I've owned for 12 years now and in that time it's always been my daily driver 12 months of the year and lives outside.
In the last couple of weeks I've done my usual pre winter routine:
Check Antifreeze and strengthen
Underseal rear arches, rear valace, entire floorplan, brake and fuel lines, front arches, inner wings, front valance, bonnet leading edge, door bottoms
Apply two coats of Autoglym HD Wax
Check and clean earths and connections under the bonnet
Winter tyres are ready if needed
Photo from a couple of weeks ago:

MJK 24 said:
Is there anyone who is going to run their older car or classic car right through the winter?
I have a 1985 Scirocco that I've owned for 12 years now and in that time it's always been my daily driver 12 months of the year and lives outside.
In the last couple of weeks I've done my usual pre winter routine:
Check Antifreeze and strengthen
Underseal rear arches, rear valace, entire floorplan, brake and fuel lines, front arches, inner wings, front valance, bonnet leading edge, door bottoms
Apply two coats of Autoglym HD Wax
Check and clean earths and connections under the bonnet
Winter tyres are ready if needed
Photo from a couple of weeks ago:

That looks bloody fantastic OP. 26years old!? I have a 1985 Scirocco that I've owned for 12 years now and in that time it's always been my daily driver 12 months of the year and lives outside.
In the last couple of weeks I've done my usual pre winter routine:
Check Antifreeze and strengthen
Underseal rear arches, rear valace, entire floorplan, brake and fuel lines, front arches, inner wings, front valance, bonnet leading edge, door bottoms
Apply two coats of Autoglym HD Wax
Check and clean earths and connections under the bonnet
Winter tyres are ready if needed
Photo from a couple of weeks ago:


Jw Vw said:
That looks bloody fantastic OP. 26years old!? 
It's no spring chicken anymore! Built December 1985, registered February 1986. Paintwork is 95% factory. It's served me brilliantly and owes me nothing.
It's sounds odd but after 12 years, I can't imagine not owning it anymore. They're worth peanuts anyway.
certainly can't top austin
loads of us will be using our everyday classics through the winter and always do
here in the mild midlands there are not many days in the winter you wouldn't want to drive a classic but loads and loads where the driving is a please and many are top day days with many days better than summer
all those that SORN their cars end of September are missing out, so far this month everyday has had good driving times
MJK 24,
careful not to make the antifreeze too strong and if you've not done so for a few years in Spring I'd clean, flush, back and flush again the rad, heater matrix and engine block and refill with the correct ratio of new antifreeze and distilled water - this will have you ready for cooling the heat of summer and prepare for the next winter with antifreeze and cabin heat
if you can get the rad and heater matrix out to give them a good shake at the same time as the cleaning operation all the better
now's also the time to check the battery and it's connections and replace if not in good condition before anything lets you down in the cold weather and before the battery rush starts
loads of us will be using our everyday classics through the winter and always do
here in the mild midlands there are not many days in the winter you wouldn't want to drive a classic but loads and loads where the driving is a please and many are top day days with many days better than summer
all those that SORN their cars end of September are missing out, so far this month everyday has had good driving times
MJK 24,
careful not to make the antifreeze too strong and if you've not done so for a few years in Spring I'd clean, flush, back and flush again the rad, heater matrix and engine block and refill with the correct ratio of new antifreeze and distilled water - this will have you ready for cooling the heat of summer and prepare for the next winter with antifreeze and cabin heat
if you can get the rad and heater matrix out to give them a good shake at the same time as the cleaning operation all the better
now's also the time to check the battery and it's connections and replace if not in good condition before anything lets you down in the cold weather and before the battery rush starts
na said:
all those that SORN their cars end of September are missing out
Have to agree - while the Triumph 2.5PI gets most of the winter duties the Spitfire gets an outing if it's a crisp, clear winters day. Nothing like driving along with the heater on full blast, a warm coat and the roof down enjoying some winter sun.I’m with //j17 and some winter days you don’t need the sun out or even the heater on full
marshalla,
I’d call your Westie a classic too
I once went for a sunny Sunday winter run in my Westie and it was that warm I had a thick jumper without coat, I never used the sidescreens (IMO they make you drive faster and spoil the feel of the drive) and was having such a good time I didn’t get towards home until the sun had dropped with the overall temperature by the time I got parked up and back home I’d the very start of mild hyperthermia - so take a warm coat even if you don’t need to wear it at the start
T0nup,
lovely and interesting daily classic you have
marshalla,
I’d call your Westie a classic too
I once went for a sunny Sunday winter run in my Westie and it was that warm I had a thick jumper without coat, I never used the sidescreens (IMO they make you drive faster and spoil the feel of the drive) and was having such a good time I didn’t get towards home until the sun had dropped with the overall temperature by the time I got parked up and back home I’d the very start of mild hyperthermia - so take a warm coat even if you don’t need to wear it at the start
T0nup,
lovely and interesting daily classic you have
Me and the missus have wussed out this year...the '36 Austin, '71 Vincent, '67 Herald and the 'bikes will still be out and about as normal but... if we get snowed in again like we did last year then my new "modern" will come out to play - a 1994 Subaru MV284 4x4 pick up... The oldies managed all the weather could throw at them last year except "our hill" (single track road) in the snow - the Herald slid all the way down again backwards, hence the Scooby.
T0nup said:
It all counts as long as you enjoy your chosen vehicle. I have a soft spot for Landys... They are maybe the first vehicles that anyone in the regions that are farthest from civilasation ever see. A true Icon of go anywhere off roading.
Dan
I've edited my post. I quoted you meaning to say that Viva looks great & I bet it's fun.Dan
It is actually... Made the car my own with a few mods internally and under the bonet. But hav eto say while it's not exactly on a par in terms of looks with the Capril Ghia 3.0 I enjoyed until a year or so ago, it handles and perferms just as well, if not better in some situations... And I can do a full shop at the cash and carry in it... Unlike the Capri.
Dan
Dan
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