So, how can you get ready and get over those jitters? There are a few things you can do to ease your nerves and help you better enjoy that first show. They include:

• Start out small – If you have truly never shown a car before, try starting out with a small, localized show. This will help you break the ice and better learn what to expect.
• Understand the rules – Make sure to read up on the rules for a show, even a small event. This will ease your mind that your car does fit the classifications you would like to show it in.
• Prepare your car – Take the time to go over your car with a fine-tooth comb to make sure it is show ready. Bring along a quick-clean kit to the show, too. This will help you buff out any road debris that managed to get stuck on your ride from your garage to the show site.
• Relax – Showing a classic car is a labor of love. You do not have stress out about it. Events are not really all about winning best in show; they are about having fun. You will get to spend time with other classic car enthusiasts and even learn more about your passion. It really does not get better than that.

Going to your first show can induce quite a case of the nerves. Prepare yourself well and then try to relax and enjoy the ride. Before long you will be an old pro.

What can you do?

If you want to make sure your new baby makes it home in one piece, hiring a transport service is probably in order. Should you desire to pick up the vehicle and bring it home personally, it is still a good idea to haul it rather than drive it.

Why is this?

There are two big reasons to transport a recently purchased classic rather than attempt to drive it home:

• Avoidance of road hazards – A long-distance trip brings with it many perils for any car. If your newly purchased classic is in mint condition or even decent shape, it is just better to protect it during that long haul home.
• Elimination of “surprises” – Even if your antique car was purchased through a very reputable seller, there are still chances for surprises on the way home. With old cars it is not out of the question that engine problems and other issues will crop up. It is best to get it home in one piece and then fully inspect it and practice driving it on roads that are known.

Getting a classic car home for the very first time is a very big deal. To better ensure a safe delivery, it is often best to leave the driving to someone else.

Car show season is in full swing in communities throughout the United States. Each weekend, classic car lovers are gathering at restaurants, stores and parks to show off their rides. If you are keen on the idea of packing up and heading out to visit a few of these, there are some things you will want to do to get geared up right.

To make sure your vacation and road trip go smoothly, make sure to do these things:

       Research localized shows before you go – Use the Internet to locate car shows in areas you would like to visit. Chances are strong that you will find regular get-togethers going on in most major communities throughout the summer. Small-scale shows tend to take off this time of year. Once you locate possible shows to stop at, do look into their requirements if you intend on showing your vehicle, too.

       Prepare your ride – Before taking to the road in your classic or antique car, give it a careful once over for safety. Make sure the car is road ready by having it inspected, changing the oil and checking all other fluids. Be certain to pack emergency tools and fluids.

Summer is the perfect time to visit car shows outside your general area. With a little planning, you can build an entire vacation around your classic and have a lot of fun in the process.

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.

There is nothing quite like tooling around in a classic and watching heads turn and jaws drop as it passes people by on the street. If the car is in pristine condition, it will almost assuredly be a major eye catcher.

If you own a classic and want to keep it looking great, one of the most important things you can do for your car is to take great pains when parking it. While you might not need to take up multiple spaces to keep it looking good, there are a few things to be mindful of when it is time to park it for a while. Some of the best ways to avoid dents, dings and other damage include:

       Parking away from cart returns – If you are going to tool around in your classic for day-to-day driving, be sure to exercise extreme caution going into and out of grocery stores and other similar locations. Carts can be serious paintjob killers. Try to park near the back of a lot, away from cart returns, instead of in the front to avoid the brunt of in-and-out traffic.

       Pay attention to other cars – If parking in a spot is too close to another car, pick another spot. Even if you have to walk a little bit more to make sure the vehicle next to yours does not ding you when the driver opens the door, it will be worth it.

       Avoid direct sunlight – If the car will be parked for an extended period, try to avoid direct sunlight. This can cause discoloration to the interior over time.

       Cover it up – If you ever need to garage your car for a time, cover it up to avoid unnecessary scratches, dust build up and other issues.

Take a little car when parking your classic and it should stay looking good. While there are no guarantees, a bit of effort can go a very long way.

With the sun out more days than not, it is the perfect time to hit the road in a classic. Getting ready to take a vehicle out of storage, however, does take a little work, especially if it has been a while since the car has been driven.

The first thing you will want to do is fire it up and make sure the engine remains in good working order. If it has been parked for a time, a little sputtering might not be out of the question at first. Once the basic mechanics are checked, there are a few other things to look at before hitting the road.

To make sure the drive goes smoothly, be certain to inspect these things:

       Fluids – Check all the important fluids before heading out.  If the oil looks grimy after sitting for a time, it might be a good idea to change it out for a new season of driving.

       Safety gear – Inspect the lights, turn signals and other safety equipment.

       Tire pressure – Slow leaks can take their tool after a season of sitting. Check the pressure and make sure it is up to par.

This is the perfect time of year to pull out a classic and get some road time. Make sure the vehicle is truly ready to go before taking it out though. Months of sitting can throw some monkey wrenches into the works.

Before you put your beloved classic on the road for the driving season, there are a few things you will want to do to make sure it is well prepared. To make sure she is ready, check into these things:

• The condition of the oil – Try to think back to the last time you had the oil changed. If it has been sitting a while or there is any question on this front, go ahead and bite the bullet and get this and other routine maintenance taken care of.
• The pressure level of the tires – Check the tires to make sure they remain at the proper inflation levels. It is possible that some air escaped during the months winter loomed and spring rains threatened too much.
• The condition of the wax job – If you want to keep your classic looking great, it might be wise to give it the royal treatment. A good bath and a fresh coat of wax can put your baby right in no time.

While it can be tempting to uncover your classic and hit the road during driving season, a few precautions can go a long way in protecting your ride. Get it ready the right way, and you will thank yourself down the road.

When the classic will be driven personally, it is very smart to do a few things in advance of a trip to protect the car from damage inasmuch as is possible and to make sure it is up for the haul. Some things to think about doing include:

• Mapping out the route with care – While it might be fun to show off a classic in bumper-to-bumper traffic, this can increase the odds of damage. To lessen the chances of a problem, map out a route that includes good roads that are not necessarily heavily trafficked. At the very least, avoid highly populated areas during rush hours.
• Getting the car ready – Make sure to check the fluids, inspect the engine and tires and perform other routine pre-trip maintenance. Unless you have the skills necessary, it is not a bad idea to have a mechanic give the car a once over.
• Preparing an emergency bag – Be certain to stow a bag in the trunk with things like jumper cables, oil, car cleaner, rags, flares and so on. Think of items that will help with minor car troubles and also keeping the vehicle looking clean and ready to show off. These can help if little problems crop up on the road.

Taking a classic on the road does open the door for some potential problems. With a little planning, however, some of the major roadblocks can be avoided.

There are auto transportation services that can assist in getting your vehicle from Point A to Point B. it certainly is comforting to know a classic is in good hands and that it is well protected for transit. Since many services offer enclosed transit, you will not have to worry as much about dings, dents and dust, which is always a good thing.

Sadly, they can be a bit costly to use. This is especially so for long-haul trips or if you intend on showing a lot.

Another solution does exist. You can invest in your own custom trailer and keep the hauling in your own hands. This does bring with it the advantage of your baby never having to leave your eyes, too. A trailer will cost you some money, but it can be well worth the investment if you plan on showing your classic a lot.

Trailers do deliver some options, too. Some of the choices to consider include:

• Straight flatbeds – This option will not provide you total coverage, but it can help you prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your classic.
• Basic enclosed trailers – These are sort of like horse trailers, only for cars. While they won’t allow for much space to haul anything other than the car itself, they can remove wear and tear from the equation. Plus, they will prevent road goop from getting on your classic during a drip.
• Fully customized enclosed trailers – Think of these as a garage on wheels and you will have the idea. This type of trailer is meant not only to house a car or two, but also gear, tools and more.

Classic cars are fun to own, but they can be a pain to transport. If you are ready to haul without so many fears attached, a custom trailer could provide the solution to your problem.

If you’re getting ready to share your baby with the world for the first time, there are some things about showing you’ll need to know about. While no two antique car shows are exactly alike, there are a few basic things you can do to get ready no matter the format.

Some of the things you’ll want to do to get yourself and your ride ready for the big show include:

• Getting a rule book – If the show you’re taking your car to is a juried event, you’ll want to read the rules inside out and backwards. If you have followed factory specs in restoring your ride, you should meet the criteria for just about any event.
• Putting together your information – If your car has been restored to factory original or near original status, you’ll likely want a log book of your parts and other information you can share on the restoration process. While judges may not ask you how you pulled off the job, spectators might.
• Prepping your car for the event – Serious judged shows will have serious rules about car presentation. Not only will you want to wash and wax your car, but you’ll also want to pack a kit for the day of the show to clean up any debris picked up on the way to the event. Judges will check for grass in the tires, leaking oil from the pan and even dirt on the emblems. Be prepared to clean it up.

Getting ready to show off your ride is an exciting time. Be prepared and you should have the time of your life.