Month: March 2014

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A classic car is an older motor vehicle; the exact definition varies around the world.

Here in the UK, the classic car range from veteran pre–First World War, to vintage  dated from 1919 to 1930 and  post-vintage 1930s.

There is no fixed definition of a classic car. Two taxation issues do impact however, leading to some people using them as cut-off dates.

Cars built before January 1, 1973, are exempted from paying the annual road tax and as such this is displayed on the license disc in the windscreen as a historic vehicle.

However if the car is built before this date and had been first registered in 1973 or later, then its build date would have to be verified by a recognised body such as British Motor Heritage Foundation to claim tax-free status.

Definition of a classic car for company taxation purposes, the vehicle has to be over 15 years old and having a value in excess of £15,000.

The elimination of depreciation is a reason for buying a classic car; this is a major cost of owning a modern car. Picking ‘future classics’ that are current ‘bangers’ is a pastime of people into classic cars in the UK.

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When you drive a modern car for work or around town errands, you can only become accustomed to their dependability and keep only the legally required documentation in the glove box and common sense tools in the boot, such as a jack and tools to change a tyre, road side emergency kit, owner’s manual. Any other tools would seem a bit useless due to today’s cars being a bit too complicated to diagnose and repair by the side of the road.

But when you drive a car that is 25 years or older, you should include a few more things in the event of a breakdown. Even though you’ve checked all the fluids, made sure belts and running parts operate smoothly, many classics have question marks over reliability even when they were rolling off the production line.

So here’s our list of things you should carry in your older car.

• Hand Tools, This is pretty much a no brainer!  But you should put together a tool box that contains the types of tools you would use on the parts for your car that you know how to fix or replace, wrenches, screwdrivers, a spark plug socket or wire brush.

•  Clean Towels, Confused?  There are many reasons why this should be in you boot. To protect you while you’re on the ground looking under the car, to protect the car while you’re working around the engine, to clean dirty spark plugs, and to wipe off your hands are just a few.

• Spare Parts, Taking into consideration on the mileage or amount of time that has passed since replaced, you may want to consider keeping a box of spare parts that would include a starter, alternator, fuel pump, complete distributor, floats and fan belts.

• Tape, we’re talking electrician tape and duct tape for quick and temporary fixes for anything from wires to detached mufflers.

• Fluids, having a small box with an assortment of fluids like water, oil, brake fluid, WD40 and Oil can prevent a great day from turning bad.

• Fire Extinguisher, The smallest fire can cause a costly disaster! a small fire extinguisher can stop it in an instant stop it in an instant

For more information on classic cars please contact sandy lane service station.

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If you are a classic car enthusiast then you will want to look after your pride and joy, storing your classic in a garage or storage facility is worth doing but make sure that is as free from damp as possible.

Metal and chrome work particularly can very easily become tarnished or corroded if subjected to bad weather and damp, so keeping your beauty under cover is a recommended way of protection.

If you don’t drive your classic car often then it is worth start your car up regularly, at least once every two weeks and allow it to reach normal running temperature before switching it off. If possible and I am sure you may wish to make time, the car should be driven a few miles to prevent potential problems such as brakes and clutches sticking and failing hydraulics.

Leave the handbrake off if the car is to be parked for a long period of time is also worthwhile as cables can seize up on older cars and fail to release when you let the brake off. However if the car is on a slope you can keep it in place by leaving the car in gear or using chocks under the wheels.

Classics are not like new cars that can be driven hard without any maintenance between services. You should check all fluids regularly and top up if necessary before driving

If do have to leave the car for longer periods without starting it disconnect your battery or invest in a trickle charger, this will prevent the battery going flat.

Have the car checked over and serviced every 12 months – an oil change as a very minimum. If the car is MOT exempt, then the brakes, steering, suspension and tyres should be checked.

If you want to maintain your classic’s value it is important to keep it as original as possible. Modern upgrades of brakes, steering, suspension, ignition systems and cooling systems are all acceptable to most people, but you should retain the original parts with the car so that any enthusiast can convert back to its original specification if need be.

Having a specialist service stamp in the service book is very important for the car’s history and will make it much more attractive if you decide to sell it in the future. Here at Sandy Lane Service Station Ltd we specialise in classic cars.

For more information on classic cars please contact sandy lane service station.