Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[buzzy bee]

I know my mini sidewalk isn't very old but it isn't the most practical car during the winter.

Does anyone else run a classic or unpractical car in the winter or all year round?

If so what?

I am sure you have all had interesting problems, like?

Cheers

Dave

[admin]

I don't run a daily oldie at the mo, although I'd like to get back into doing so sometime, or at least have one that I can use in winter without worrying too much about snow, ice, salt on it etc (ie not a minter).

I used to run Volvo 122s as daily cars, and they were great - solid, drove well, great heater, and so on. If I could find an affordable PV544 I'd be very tempted (especially if it was an estate, the Duett). Know of any UJ?

Having opening quarterlights is a real boon when driving classics in winter, it keeps the screen clear while you wait for the heater to kick in. I think you only really know the character of your classic, when you've driven it in the rain, dark, snow and so on, and make serious use of the headlights, heater, wipers etc. Pootling out on a sunny weekend isn't quite the same somehow!

Classics on skinny tyres are great for driving through deep snow too.

Maybe if the green pickup gets MOTd I'll run that for a bit - nice and impractical - no screen washers, 3 speeds, 30mph, no heater - should toughen me up a bit

Rick

[Uncle Joe]

I can probably find you a PV or Duett, but it would be left hand drive of course.

But a Volvo in winter? That IS an impractical car. Better a SAAB 96!

[admin]

Hehe thanks for the emailed link UJ, maybe one day I'll look out for a Duett, although at the mo I've more than enough to keep me busy. The Duett pickups are fine looking things too.

Agreed, fwd is better in snow, but a rwd with skinny tyres doesn't do a bad job either (certainly better than a modern with uber-fat tyres on it). I remember us following a snow plough clearing the roads of Derbyshire in front of us, while we drove along in our 120. Bit worrying when he pulled off and we had to carry on into the deep snow on our own, but the old girl got us through aok

One good thing about running a proper oldie, is the starting handle. If the battery is a bit down, and struggling to turn the engine in really cold weather, a turn of the handle can get the motor running (assuming it hasn't kicked back and broken your thumb - there is a knack to holding the starting handle!!)

Rick

[PACresta]

I don't run an every day oldie but if i was to consider it i would got for a VW Beetle.
I used to run one years a ago and proved very reliable, the only problem being i had to clear the ice off the inside of the screen with the palm of my hand It was a common thing for the heater channels to rot and all the heat just got wasted in the sill.
A Mate of mine used to swear by the old Citroen 2CV's for driving in the snow. Front wheel drive and narrow wheels made them grip prety well. He used to live out in the derbyshire hills and he was often able to climb the hills where other cars were stuck

[Uncle Joe]

Rick, Remember that our winters are a little bit harsher than in the UK, to say the least. We've already had snow, and -8C. A common comment at this time of year is "Why are Volvo unable to build a winter car?" So it is on that basis that I commented.

The Duett pickups that were on the link are not cars (believe it or not) but tractors. "A's" or "EPA's" as they are called here. Due to a law passed in WWII (?!!!) if a car is converted to a pick up and restricted to 30kmh, then it can be re-registered as a tractor, and driven by a 15 year old.

For our conditions, if I was going to by a practical everyday classic that I could use everyday, then there would only be one choice, a Dodge Power Wagon, or its Military equivalent. If I could afford the petrol bill!

[buzzy bee]

Pa Cresta, I have that problem with ice inside, it is iceing up on all of the windows inside the car about this time of year, like as I was driving to the cinema last night. Later in the year it requires some deicer on a cloth or a ice scraper!

2CVs are great fun, they are great off road aswell. I am sure someone on here will be able to remind us of the selling campaign that included a deep furrow ploughed field!

Cheers

Dave

[Uncle Joe]

buzzy, if you have access to a power point, you can do the same thing that we do here to stop that problem.

[buzzy bee]

How do you mean?

[Uncle Joe]

Sorry buzzy, I couldn't finish the last posting!

We use a system of heaters that connect up to the mains. You can check them out on www.defa.com Be glad to give you any advice. The system will make any Mini the perfect winter car - you've already got the ice capability! You cant believe how good it feels to get into a warm car, with no need to defrost anything!

[PACresta]

Interesting Link UJ would be great in countries which have severe weather conditions. I wonder what the price would be for a complete setup.
Is there any way of upgrading the heating system on your Mini Buzzy, sounds obvious but is the thermastat stuck open? Or could a higher temp thermastat be fitted?

[buzzy bee]

I have just fitted a new thermostat, but my main problem is when I come to it in the morning. I don't really have access to a plug as that mini lives out on the drive!

It would be nice however to get into a warm car in the morning!

Cheers

Dave

[Uncle Joe]

A complete set up, cables, programmable timer, engine heater, interior heater, battery charger, and so on would normally cost around £100 here excluding fitting. This would be for a system that you could move from car to car.

There is a superb "grin factor" with these systems. Just imagine the looks on your neighbours faces when they have to de-ice their cars after they have stood out all night, and yours not only has crystal clear windows, but is warm to boot!

[PACresta]

Would a top half cover help your situation Buzzy? Least it would keep the windows clear. Can you remember the old parafin sump heaters One of those placed under the car may also help.
Thought the electric system would have been dearer than that UJ, don't feel one necessary here really as we only get a couple of months icy weather. (You watch that is probably the signal for the worst winter in 50 years

[Uncle Joe]

A cheap option might be to use pre-icer, at least the ice doesn't stick as hard.

How about using something like 1001 soap, if its still available?