Classic Cars

June 23rd, 2009

Warm, sunny summer days are perfect for pulling the classic out of the garage for a little joyride. Long, leisurely runs through the country can prove idyllic. So can trips through the city where heads will, no doubt, turn as an antique drives by. Half the fun of owning a classic is showing it off, after all.

Still, the other part of the fun in ownership comes from keeping that classic looking great and operating perfectly. With this in mind, you will likely want to create a post-drive checklist to make sure your baby is put up right after those summer drives.

Some of the things to pay attention to after a drive around to show off your car include:

       The body – Do a full visual inspection of the body to make sure no road grime, bugs or other imperfections are left on the paint before the car is put up again. The acidity of some road debris can cause problems with the paint if left in place for too long.

       Tires – Check the tires for signs of wear and double check the pressure.

       Interior – Clean out the interior and make sure no unwanted garbage is left behind from the trip.

       Fluids – If you have put some miles on your classic while showing it off, make sure to check the fluids either before you park it again or before you take it out the next time.

Classics need to a little more babying than newer cars, but that is part of the fun. With the right amount of TLC, your baby should be with you for many more long summer drives.