Winter Blues - Classic Withdrawal Symptoms
Discussion
I always struggle at this time of year now that the roads are salty and the car is laid up for the winter.
I try to get out to the garage and usually have a few jobs to do, but actually, I just enjoy pottering about out there with the car and a cuppa. Once the weather gets too cold, that also stops.
I’m sure people will say that I should just keep using the car through the winter, but now it’s over 40 years old and having spent a serious amount of money fighting the tin worm back in 2019, I don’t want it wrecked again as the salt really is aggressive.
I try to get my classic fix by browsing through the numerous books, brochures and magazines that I have and there are a few TV shows such a Bangers and Cash to watch.
However, I still find it really frustrating not being able to use the car and of course, there are far fewer events going on to meet up with other enthusiasts.
What do other people do during the winter to keep enjoying their classics as it’s really getting me down.
I try to get out to the garage and usually have a few jobs to do, but actually, I just enjoy pottering about out there with the car and a cuppa. Once the weather gets too cold, that also stops.
I’m sure people will say that I should just keep using the car through the winter, but now it’s over 40 years old and having spent a serious amount of money fighting the tin worm back in 2019, I don’t want it wrecked again as the salt really is aggressive.
I try to get my classic fix by browsing through the numerous books, brochures and magazines that I have and there are a few TV shows such a Bangers and Cash to watch.
However, I still find it really frustrating not being able to use the car and of course, there are far fewer events going on to meet up with other enthusiasts.
What do other people do during the winter to keep enjoying their classics as it’s really getting me down.
I'll still take mine out for a few days during December/January. New Year's Day at Stony Stratford and the first Bicester Scramble a few days later. Plus a few long runs on any dry days. But, filthy roads, a low sun and foggy windows can detract a little from the experience. So, I tell myself that, when I have time, I'll buy an Austin Seven and go trialling in all weathers in all seasons. That way, I can have a classic fix without getting the nice car too grubby.
Rumdoodle said:
I'll still take mine out for a few days during December/January. New Year's Day at Stony Stratford and the first Bicester Scramble a few days later. Plus a few long runs on any dry days. But, filthy roads, a low sun and foggy windows can detract a little from the experience. So, I tell myself that, when I have time, I'll buy an Austin Seven and go trialling in all weathers in all seasons. That way, I can have a classic fix without getting the nice car too grubby.
Now mine is over 40 it does make using it all year round easier. I used to SORN it through the winter, so any nice dry sunny days were off limits. At least now it’s tax free, I can take advantage and have a spin. j4r4lly said:
Now mine is over 40 it does make using it all year round easier. I used to SORN it through the winter, so any nice dry sunny days were off limits. At least now it’s tax free, I can take advantage and have a spin.
Mine's just passed 40 as well. As I'm abroad a lot, when I did have to tax it, I'd just SORN it for a couple of months while I was away and retax it for a few weeks while I was back. I don't have the self-discipline to put it into hibernation for several months. I want to drive it whenever I feel like it. It's not so much the weather that bothers me, more the risk of some absent-minded numpty scratching it in a car park. But, these things happen. j4r4lly said:
What do other people do during the winter to keep enjoying their classics as it’s really getting me down.
I usually buck the trend and just use it. That said, I'm minus a classic this winter due to having sold mine in September and holding back on another purchase until some building work is complete and I have my garage back. Come January, however, the search is on...Rumdoodle said:
Mine's just passed 40 as well. As I'm abroad a lot, when I did have to tax it, I'd just SORN it for a couple of months while I was away and retax it for a few weeks while I was back. I don't have the self-discipline to put it into hibernation for several months. I want to drive it whenever I feel like it. It's not so much the weather that bothers me, more the risk of some absenting-minded numpty scratching it in a car park. But, these things happen.
Yes, I’ve done that in the past but now it’s so much easier as it’s a Historic. I don’t really worry about it getting scratched in car parks - stolen perhaps, or someone not paying attention and running into me, but that can happen at anytime I guess.
Turbobanana said:
I usually buck the trend and just use it. That said, I'm minus a classic this winter due to having sold mine in September and holding back on another purchase until some building work is complete and I have my garage back. Come January, however, the search is on...
That’ll be something to look forward to in the NY. What are you looking for, anything specific or just something that takes your fancy?
j4r4lly said:
That’ll be something to look forward to in the NY.
What are you looking for, anything specific or just something that takes your fancy?
That is an interesting question.What are you looking for, anything specific or just something that takes your fancy?
Historically, I've been quite gung-ho and bought whatever I fancied. However, I've realised that I'm less inclined towards chasing silly little faults and fried electrics, especially after my last classic (1971 Triumph GT6). Also, my right knee is not as flexible as it was due to an old skiing injury: the height of the 6 wasn't a problem but the doors were incredibly short. I need something more easily accessible in that regard (look at the difference between a TVR S1 / S2 and an S3, for example). I'm also slightly constrained by garage space that has to accommodate other stuff besides the car.
The current thinking is something a little more modern and more regularly usable.
I don't want to derail the thread, though, so won't go into more specifics but leave the conversation to develop.
As we were out on 21 scenic tour events on summer weekends this year I'm enjoying the break from driving! I've a number of jobs to do on my Riley, some of which I can manage but others that will have to be done by others so arranging and doing those will take up much of the winter.
Early January we shall go to the HRCR Open Day at Gaydon to find out about their 2025 events then draw up a spreadsheet to help decide which we want to enter; last year we had a choice of around 70 from March to October from Cumbria to Wiltshire.
We'll also be doing some tabletop rallies to keep us occupied during the next few months - there's not much time left to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Early January we shall go to the HRCR Open Day at Gaydon to find out about their 2025 events then draw up a spreadsheet to help decide which we want to enter; last year we had a choice of around 70 from March to October from Cumbria to Wiltshire.
We'll also be doing some tabletop rallies to keep us occupied during the next few months - there's not much time left to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Riley Blue said:
We'll also be doing some tabletop rallies to keep us occupied during the next few months - there's not much time left to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Please bear in mind that no question is stupid if one does not know the answer.....but just what is a tabletop rally, please?
ferret50 said:
Riley Blue said:
We'll also be doing some tabletop rallies to keep us occupied during the next few months - there's not much time left to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Please bear in mind that no question is stupid if one does not know the answer.....but just what is a tabletop rally, please?We take part in these: https://www.venturebound.co.uk/ttr
We don't take part in proper rallies that use these methods of navigating on the move (plot & bash) as my O/H feels queasy; tulip diagrams she can cope with OK though.
Turbobanana said:
That is an interesting question.
Historically, I've been quite gung-ho and bought whatever I fancied. However, I've realised that I'm less inclined towards chasing silly little faults and fried electrics, especially after my last classic (1971 Triumph GT6). Also, my right knee is not as flexible as it was due to an old skiing injury: the height of the 6 wasn't a problem but the doors were incredibly short. I need something more easily accessible in that regard (look at the difference between a TVR S1 / S2 and an S3, for example). I'm also slightly constrained by garage space that has to accommodate other stuff besides the car.
The current thinking is something a little more modern and more regularly usable.
I don't want to derail the thread, though, so won't go into more specifics but leave the conversation to develop.
Doesn’t derail the thread IMO as it’s a good example of what we do in the off season, particularly as you are currently without a classic. Planning what comes next, chatting about options etc is a good way to fill the time. Historically, I've been quite gung-ho and bought whatever I fancied. However, I've realised that I'm less inclined towards chasing silly little faults and fried electrics, especially after my last classic (1971 Triumph GT6). Also, my right knee is not as flexible as it was due to an old skiing injury: the height of the 6 wasn't a problem but the doors were incredibly short. I need something more easily accessible in that regard (look at the difference between a TVR S1 / S2 and an S3, for example). I'm also slightly constrained by garage space that has to accommodate other stuff besides the car.
The current thinking is something a little more modern and more regularly usable.
I don't want to derail the thread, though, so won't go into more specifics but leave the conversation to develop.
Riley Blue said:
As we were out on 21 scenic tour events on summer weekends this year I'm enjoying the break from driving! I've a number of jobs to do on my Riley, some of which I can manage but others that will have to be done by others so arranging and doing those will take up much of the winter.
Early January we shall go to the HRCR Open Day at Gaydon to find out about their 2025 events then draw up a spreadsheet to help decide which we want to enter; last year we had a choice of around 70 from March to October from Cumbria to Wiltshire.
We'll also be doing some tabletop rallies to keep us occupied during the next few months - there's not much time left to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
It does indeed sound as if you’ve maxed out the season and could now do with a break. Early January we shall go to the HRCR Open Day at Gaydon to find out about their 2025 events then draw up a spreadsheet to help decide which we want to enter; last year we had a choice of around 70 from March to October from Cumbria to Wiltshire.
We'll also be doing some tabletop rallies to keep us occupied during the next few months - there's not much time left to suffer withdrawal symptoms.
I felt similar towards the end of October, but I’m already frustrated by not being able to use the car very much.
I'm hoping to get the new MX5 MkII seats I bought installed into our '73 TR6 and going to The Phoenix for NY day, weather permitting.
I used to have a Caterham for 20+ years and loved going out in the dead of winter, properly bundled up when the roads were clear & clean.
As of last 4-5 years the Bucks Co. Council seem to inundate our roads with way TOO MUCH salt even at -1C so the number of days I'll be out in the '6 will probably decline
I used to have a Caterham for 20+ years and loved going out in the dead of winter, properly bundled up when the roads were clear & clean.
As of last 4-5 years the Bucks Co. Council seem to inundate our roads with way TOO MUCH salt even at -1C so the number of days I'll be out in the '6 will probably decline
Steve-B said:
I'm hoping to get the new MX5 MkII seats I bought installed into our '73 TR6 and going to The Phoenix for NY day, weather permitting.
I used to have a Caterham for 20+ years and loved going out in the dead of winter, properly bundled up when the roads were clear & clean.
As of last 4-5 years the Bucks Co. Council seem to inundate our roads with way TOO MUCH salt even at -1C so the number of days I'll be out in the '6 will probably decline
I fitted my 6 with these fibre glass wheelarch likes which keep everything out of the dark recesses. Squirted a load of Dinitrol product into the arch first, then fitted the arch liners. I don't think I can do much more. But rust never sleeps I used to have a Caterham for 20+ years and loved going out in the dead of winter, properly bundled up when the roads were clear & clean.
As of last 4-5 years the Bucks Co. Council seem to inundate our roads with way TOO MUCH salt even at -1C so the number of days I'll be out in the '6 will probably decline
https://www.revingtontr.com/product/rtr7182-6k/nam...
Rumdoodle said:
I'll still take mine out for a few days during December/January. New Year's Day at Stony Stratford and the first Bicester Scramble a few days later. Plus a few long runs on any dry days. But, filthy roads, a low sun and foggy windows can detract a little from the experience. So, I tell myself that, when I have time, I'll buy an Austin Seven and go trialling in all weathers in all seasons. That way, I can have a classic fix without getting the nice car too grubby.
Do it! This is one of ours recently.https://www.facebook.com/share/r/152rsARJ8j/
I keep mine all running but will only any distance on a dry day with no salt which does limit things somewhat. I do have a circuit of about 3 miles which doesn't get gritted but unfortunately does get muddy courtesy of tractors so I'll run round that a couple of times to keep the moving parts clean.
austin said:
That looks fantastic. I need to get along to a few of those events and see how it all works. Rumdoodle said:
austin said:
That looks fantastic. I need to get along to a few of those events and see how it all works. Yesterday was a lovely day with lots of sun, so I took an extended drive through the Essex lanes over to Mersea Island. Really enjoyed the drive and then returned home to give the car a good clean up and then tuck it away for a few months. We have a lot going on for the next couple of months so that’s it for 2024.
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