Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

I've not been out in the Devon for weeks now, thanks in part to all the salt etc over the roads. I usually try and exercise it every fortnight or so in winter, whenever there is a dry-roads day, but lately neither the Devon nor the A55 have ventured beyond the front gates. Is anyone else persevering with using their oldie at the moment?

Rick
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[peppiB]

Had the landcrab out last weekend as it is the only car I have with a tow bar. The Minor hasn't been started since December and won't be until the weather warms up a bit. The Merc goes anywhere regardless of conditions and the local filling station has facilities to let me wash the salt of from underneath, which I do very regularly.

[Rick]

I did run the Devon upto operating temperature (or as close as possible) yesterday, to keep things ticking over. Turned up the idle a bit on the carb and left it running at probably 1500rpm, choke off, for 20 minutes or so, lights on etc to try and keep things exercised as best as possible. Moved it back and forwards, to keep the clutch and the wheel cylinders freed up.

I know running for short periods isn't a good plan, filling the exhaust up with water and encouraging condensation in the oil etc, but I think a lengthy period of running at above-idle revs isn't a bad plan - or is it??

R
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[Brian M]

From March to October, take the Volvo to work on four days out of five. Need to take a second passenger on the other day and there is no room in the back! During the winter months, I try to use it on two out of five.

I realised yesterday that I hadn't even started it for two weeks due to snow, heavy rain, the need to collect a mattress one day, having both grandsons on another. So it has got to go for a run today, and back to normal duties next week!
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Brian
1970 Volvo Amazon and 1978 Safari 15-4 Caravan
Classic Safari Forum: www.classicsafaris.co.uk

[peter scott]

I took the Jag around the block a week ago after getting her together again but I probably won't take her out again until something like the end of April after there has been plenty of rain to wash away the salt. With wooden floor boards that aren't well sealed it's not really on to high pressure wash her underneath.

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[47p2]

I'm with Peter on this one. The local authorities spread so much salt on the roads around where I stay that the roads dry pure white. Not good for an old car
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[stuchamp]

I usually start the '57 every 3 to 4 weeks and let it run for 10 to 15 minutes.
I also put it in gear and move it a couple feet and just before I turn it off, I'll rev it a couple times to blow out the condensation.
I then do a quick inspection under the hood and under the car in case any leaks have developed while its in hibernation.
The new "Battery Tender" is doing an excellent job keeping the battery fully charged.

We've had a warm spell this past week and I'm getting the itch, but we still have at least 2 more months of winter here.
We still have more than 12 inches of the white stuff laying around.

[bob2]

living in malta we can use our classics even in winter because we never have snow, therefore zero salt.
However I still do not use mine that often, since I do not want to fill the underside and all crevices with dirt and mud and lately its been raining a lot!!
But at least last saturday I changed the oil and filter on my green mini and before took it for a short spin, it had been about a month in hibernation already!!
On friday I had a couple of commissions to do and used the surf blue mini so it got some use aswell, this week will try and use it again and change the oil and filter of that one too, however the weather isnt promising at all, a whole week full of rain!!

[Scotty]

Took the Chevy out once years ago one Christmas Day for family - beautiful day, dry, crisp and sunny. Parked it up in the garage only to discover the chrome covered in rust spots a week later!

Its never turned a wheel since from the last day in October until the first day of April - our roads in East Dunbartonshire are salted every day during icey weather, I can't think of a quicker way to dissolve metal.

Scotty.

[wrinx]

Unusually for me at this time of year, I dragged the old Tonka toy out twice last week!

Firsy was last thursday to try and beat the snow using its four wheel drive. Failed miserably due to other traffic getting stuck.


Then went to the launch of the new Alfa at our local dealer...taking the Matta seemed like a good idea...although a flat battery nearly scuppered the plan

Don't usually take the beasty out in winter and always try to avoid wet days.

wrinx
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[old gto]

Last time I had one of ours on the road was Thanksgiving. I`ve been too depressed to mess with it since.
We usualy go to Daytona for the long weekend, for the annual "Turkey Rod Run". As things worked out, we could only go for one day this year.
We normally pull the car up there with a trailer, and we can leave the truck & trailer at the speedway, and cruise around town with the car all weekend.
That way, we also have the truck close by so if we find some treasures at the swap meet (jumble?) we can bring it home easy.
But since we were only going for one day, we drove the 1969 Grand Prix.

On the way home, we had a front tire blow out at 70 MPH on the expressway. It shot us across a couple lanes, then veered back, and off the road.
The fender is bent. The chrome rocker molding is bent. A chunk of the wheelwell is torn out. The wheelwell chrome trim is torn up. The "Grand Prix" letters AND emblem were torn off. And the paint is all scratched up.

I may, eventually get back into the garage if it warms up this summer, but it got me down a bit. And with our sinking economy, I can`t really do much to fix it now anyway.
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[Rick]

by eck sorry to hear that gto! at least you got out ok

RJ
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[47p2]

Really sorry to hear of your bad news old gto. I hope you are feeling better and get the car fixed up soon
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One of Britain's Fine Cars

[Scotty]

Wow Jim, I didn't know - glad you, Debs and the kids are ok.

Scotty.

[Jonv8]

My 63 swb Land Rover gets used nearly every day - more during the winter,doing firewood duties.Also as a yard mule dragging dead modern Land Rover products on and off the ramp in my workshop.If modern vehicles were built with the same build quality there would be alot less work for me.