Classic cars in Europe - climate

[benjj]

I'm just coming to the end of a couple of weeks in Tuscany and have been fortunate to see some real gems out and about (thread to follow when I get home and download from camera.)

One thing that has really stood out is just how kind the southern European climate is to cars. Not everything I've seen of interest has been mint, far from it in some cases, but the bodywork in general has been something to behold.

I was talking to the owner of a beautiful Alfa 1300 Jnr the other day and he said that the thing they have to watch out for here is the plastics/vinyls drying out and becoming brittle. That's about it.

Oh, the other thing I do like a LOT is the general publics love of cars and motoring in general. I was pottering between Volterra and San Gimignano yesterday after a big lunch and I was behind the local plod. Up behind me came (rather quickly) a fellow in a gleaming black Ferrari F50. Plod indicated to the side, indicated I should do the same and ushered the prancing horse past while tooting horns and giving thumbs up. Wish they did that at home.

[Rower]

Just back from Scicily , lots of original Fiat 500 Abarths and old boys on immaculate Moto Guzzis !

[beach bum]

The strong mediterranean sun can dry out a 70,s plastic dashboard for breakfast. Paintjobs suffer as well with severe fading, especially reds.
Another problem over here in Greece is the severe rust caused to cars living close or on the coastline.