How you can bring your vintage car through the winter break
In order for your vintage car to be fit in spring and to prevent any wear from standing still, its ‘hibernation’ has to be prepared correctly. Here are a few tips on how you can bring your vintage car through the winter break.
As a general rule: a dry garage is the ideal place for your precious car; preferably with a constant temperature and ventilation system to avoid the build-up of condensation. Before the Oldtimer is tucked in for winter, a thorough cleaning both inside and out is required. Here, it is imperative that the car is completely dried and any damp areas in the interior (e.g. the convertible top) are checked and removed immediately. With respect to a leather interior, it is important to ensure a gentle cleaning and that the leather is treated with leather care products (from specialist stores).
The underbody and wheel arches are particularly susceptible to rust damage; therefore, they require a thorough inspection and immediate action in case of cracks or flaking.
Tips and tricks for a successful vintage car ‘hibernation’ from a professional
When « hibernating » without hoisting, increase the tyre pressure to 4.4 to 4.9 bar.
What else can you do? Max Lampelmaier, owner of the Autohaus Ford Lampelmaier in Mattsee and former Austrian state rally champion, maintains the vintage cars of the Ferdinand Porsche Erlebniswelten fahr(T)raum and has revealed his tips and tricks for a successful ‘hibernation’:
« The most important thing for me is the hoisting; that is just the best thing for chassis, shock absorbers and tyres. If hoisting is not possible, one should increase the tyre pressure to 4.4 to 4.9 bar. However, in this case, one should stick a reminder note to the windscreen so there will be no problems during the first drive in spring. In the case of faster vintage cars, the high tyre pressure also increases risk of skidding.
Do not engage the handbrake, but ensure that it is released during the winter break.
One should also follow the lubrication schedule in autumn, if available – i.e. check that the lubrication points are greased. Lubricate the rubber on the doors with deer tallow so they stay subtle. Please, do not use modern agents, as they will dry out in the garage. Deer tallow is an old medium that has been well proven over centuries.
Vintage car checklist for spring
The lights should also be checked in autumn and a checklist should be established for spring, so there won’t be any rude awakening when the 57a inspection for the sticker is due. An oil change should also be on the list for spring; please, don’t change the oil prior to the winter break.
Do not fuel up! There should be as little fuel as possible left and the carburettor should be drained throughout winter. If there is any fuel in the tank, add an additive to prevent carbonisation. »
We hope that we were able to help you with these tips! Then, there won’t be any unpleasant surprises in spring and nothing stands in your way for the first drive in sunshine … we would be very pleased if your vintage car drive were to lead you to the Oldtimer Museum fahr(T)raum at Mattsee near Salzburg!
Austrians love vintage cars and vintage car events
/dans Non classifié(e), Oldtimer Treffen, VeranstaltungenThe average Austrian loves vintage cars – as demonstrated by Christian Schamburek and Robert Sobotka in their study « Vintage cars in Austria – Attitudes to historic vehicles and socio-economic importance » (Oldtimer Guide 2018). 59 percent of Austrians enjoy having vintage cars on the streets, 64 percent see vintage cars as a cultural asset and 96,000 […]
3. Classic motorcycle special exhibition – sidecars from 1926
/dans Geschichte, Non classifié(e), Sonderausstellung, Sonstige FahrzeugeFor the third year running, the classic motorcycle special exhibition will kick off at fahr(T)raum Mattsee from 1 October – this year under the title « Right or Left …. around the world ». A total of 15 historic motorcycle and sidecar rigs from 1925-1960 are on display including, inter alia, a Royal Enfield 1000 with sports […]
Replica Hansa Brandenburg C1 from 1917 – Porsche’s grandson takes off
/dans Flugzeuge, Lebensstationen, Motoren, Non classifié(e)After discovering and acquiring an old six-cylinder Austro-Daimler series aircraft engine, Ing. Ernst Piëch, Ferdinand Porsche‘s grandson and owner of the fahr(T)raum in Mattsee, has realised a dream – a replica of the twin-strut Hansa Brandenburg C1 biplane. The C1 replica corresponds to a variant series of 40 planes manufactured at the Phönix aircraft plants […]