For many automobile enthusiasts and collectors, there’s no bigger prize than a truly classic car. Of course, taking care of such machines can be somewhat tricky and might require you to take certain special steps or even perform more frequent maintenance. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the more common things the classic car owner should consider as well as provide you with additional important and highly relevant information…
Classic cars as an investment
As you might expect, perhaps the biggest issue is going to be actually purchasing that classic auto, which is where most of the expenses will end up being allocated. What’s surprising is that many people are still interested in acquiring these older vehicles because they see them as some long-term investment. If you’ve been keeping track of the modern car’s price tag, you should already be aware of the disparity here. In the past, certain classic autos have greatly increased in price, but this is a “far and between” kind of situation now. If you’re actually collecting cars as part of an over-arching idea to sell them later on, you really need to know what you’re doing and perhaps even know some people who might eventually be interested in purchasing them. Market prices (in various areas) tend to fluctuate wildly these days, and there’s a very high level of volatility present as well. In other words, only look at brands/makes/models that are projected to yield some major returns over a couple of decades.
Maintenance and Care before storage
When it comes to actually maintaining your classic car, there are several things you should always take note of. For starters, there’s storage, which really entails a number of things (especially if you don’t actually plan on driving it that much). You should always make sure you’ve changed the oil and filters, filled it up with gas, etc., before sticking a classic auto into car storage. Moreover, a lot of pros swear by greasing everything up (that requires it), including moving parts and latches that might corrode. Temperature is also important; the last thing you want to do is stick your car in a very hot area that might silently render damage in one or more ways or cause certain elements to bond together (like weather stripping) artificially.
The final preparations
Naturally, you should also cover your classic car with a suitable form-fitting cover (especially if it’s going to be outside). The battery must also be considered, which is why a lot of owners opt to purchase a specific tool called a “battery maintainer”. It’s also worth plugging the exhaust pipes on the back (maybe with steel wool wrapped in plastic) to prevent any unwanted pests from finding their way inside (just don’t forget to remove them when you finally move it, obviously). Lastly, you should jack your auto up into the air. Some people like to use blocks for this, but you should really use jack stands (with a piece of wood underneath).
