Running something old and or interesting through the winter?
Running something old and or interesting through the winter?
Author
Discussion

MJK 24

Original Poster:

5,670 posts

260 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
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:



Jw Vw

4,908 posts

187 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
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!? bow

AceOfHearts

5,930 posts

215 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
I will be running the Minx throughout the winter. It is either that or the bike!

LordBretSinclair

4,306 posts

201 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
I have to admit that the Aston does get "put away" for the winter but the "B" is used throughout the year.

MJK 24

Original Poster:

5,670 posts

260 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
Jw Vw said:
That looks bloody fantastic OP. 26years old!? bow
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.

austin

1,318 posts

227 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
Pah, you young whippersnappers!



Last winter off out for milk and bread.

Faust66

2,364 posts

189 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
austin said:
Pah, you young whippersnappers!



Last winter off out for milk and bread.
Now THAT is what I call proper behaviour!

Nice one!

MJK 24

Original Poster:

5,670 posts

260 months

Sunday 23rd October 2011
quotequote all
austin said:
Pah, you young whippersnappers!



Last winter off out for milk and bread.
Excellent!

Probably as nimble as a Mountain Goat with such thin tyres!

NHK244V

3,358 posts

196 months

Monday 24th October 2011
quotequote all
austin said:
Pah, you young whippersnappers!



Last winter off out for milk and bread.
Way to end a thread! no-ones gonna beat that biggrin
I use a sierra pickup 365 if that counts, the cortina is in the garage for a new engine over this winter.

na

7,898 posts

258 months

Monday 24th October 2011
quotequote all
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

//j17

4,930 posts

247 months

Monday 24th October 2011
quotequote all
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.

marshalla

15,902 posts

225 months

Monday 24th October 2011
quotequote all
21-year old Lotus Excel will still be in near-daily use unless it loses traction. Westfield SE (22 years old and mostly 30-40 year old parts so counts as a "classic" in my mind) will be on standby for sunny days.

T0nup

683 posts

224 months

Monday 24th October 2011
quotequote all
Daily drive, whatever the weather is a 72 Viva Estate 2.3... Very interesting in ice and snow, but wouldn't have it any other way.



Dan

na

7,898 posts

258 months

Monday 24th October 2011
quotequote all
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

T0nup

683 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th October 2011
quotequote all
Practical too, it carries all the club gear when we do the VBOA meet at Billing and othe club meets. You wouldn't believe what I have in this car... Or maybe you would.

Hooli

32,278 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th October 2011
quotequote all
T0nup said:
Daily drive, whatever the weather is a 72 Viva Estate 2.3... Very interesting in ice and snow, but wouldn't have it any other way.



Dan
That Viva looks fun thumbup

I'm getting a 1972 Landy on saturday as my winter car, will that count?

Edited by Hooli on Tuesday 25th October 22:57

T0nup

683 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th October 2011
quotequote all
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

spoodler

2,275 posts

179 months

Tuesday 25th October 2011
quotequote all
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.

Hooli

32,278 posts

224 months

Tuesday 25th October 2011
quotequote all
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.

T0nup

683 posts

224 months

Wednesday 26th October 2011
quotequote all
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