Treat your classic to a winter lay-up
As the temperature drops and the nights draw in, many classic cars begin their annual long, lonely period off the road or racetrack, hidden away in a garage or possibly left outside with just a tarpaulin to protect them from the elements over the Winter. But, warns Beaufort Restoration Services, owners should plan ahead as, without proper preparation, leaving a cherished motor car unused can do more harm than running it through the Winter – even on salted roads.
“In my 30 years' experience of restoring and repairing old cars I’ve come across countless examples of vehicles that have deteriorated more through improper storage than if they'd been driven through a damp British winter on salt-covered roads. And every year the first drive of Spring leads to misery and costly repair bills for many enthusiasts up and down the country - and in some cases re-commissioned cars can be a serious danger to their owners and other road users,” said Beaufort Restoration Services’ founder Mike Williams.
The company advises that, whether you’re looking to lay up a historic competition car for the Winter and want it in fighting form for its return to the racetrack in 2011, or are tucking away a much-loved classic road car until warmer days are here once more, there is vital work to be done both before the car goes into ‘hibernation’ and when it wakes in the Spring.
Many owners will consign their car to the care of professionals such as Beaufort Restoration, who will ensure their road or racing classic remains in fine fettle over the Winter and emerges in tip-top form next season. But for owners who prefer to tackle the task themselves, Beaufort Restoration has produced free Winter Lay-up and Spring Start-up Guides, which can be downloaded from the company’s website, beaufortrestoration.com.
Beaufort Restoration Services has restored, repaired and prepared an extraordinary diversity of fascinating historic road and competition cars - everything from an 1898 Locomobile steam car to Grand Prix cars - for clients across the world, and the Guides contain a wealth of essential hints and tips that Mike Williams and his team have gleaned from decades of experience.
The Winter Lay-up Guide highlights all the dangers a car faces when it lies unused for several, cold, months. It details how to prevent or minimise engine damage from oil, petrol, corrosion and condensation, protect bodywork, brightwork and upholstery from damp, keep electrics in good working order, and how to make sure that moving parts still want to move when it’s time to head out onto the road or racetrack again.
The Spring Start-up Guide covers everything that should be done before the engine is even started next season, including battery, cooling system, brake and carburettor care, followed by essential warm-up checks, test run advice and clutch checks.
“Savvy owners consign their cars to our care to take care of those ‘must do’ jobs to prepare for Winter and Spring, and we are only too pleased to share our knowledge with hands-on owners via our online guides, leading to an easier and safer return to road or race circuit in 2011,” said Mike Williams.
For further guidance, or to consign your cherished historic motor car to the team’s expert care, visit beaufortrestoration.com.