Storing Your Classic Car Long-Term: 4 Things To Know

Many classic car owners prefer or have no other choice but to put their prized model into long-term storage. Whether it’s for the season or they just want to preserve its condition, storage is an important aspect of owning a vintage vehicle. Before you store your classic car long-term, check out our things to know for car owners below!

Climate Control Is Crucial for Storage Spaces

Where you store your classic car is just as important to your car’s value as its condition when it goes into storage. The days of sticking old cars under a blanket in a barn are over—extreme hot and cold conditions can wreak havoc on an old vehicle’s mechanical components and fluids. 

It’s best to choose a storage space that’s secure and climate-controlled with heating and air conditioning. Humidity can also damage an old car if it’s stationary for months or years, so if you live in a humid climate, consider a storage space with humidity control to protect your vehicle. 

Clean and Detail the Car Before Storage

Once you fine a suitable storage space for your vehicle, it’s time to prepare it for its long-term slumber. The first step in preparing your car for hibernation is to clean and detail the inside and out thoroughly.

The last thing an owner wants is to put a car into storage full of dirt, dust, and other contaminants that can cause further problems like corrosion, permanent scratches, and unseemly odors. When it goes into long-term storage, you want your vehicle to look as clean as possible. 

Fill the Tank and Change the Oil

Drivers should also check their vehicle’s fluids to ensure they’re in suitable condition, change the oil, and fill the gas tank. These simple services will ensure your vehicle doesn’t sit with dirty, old oil and doesn’t have excess moisture in the gas tank to cause rusting. 

Drivers should also add a fuel stabilizer before storing it, as it prevents the gasoline from hardening and causing mechanical problems. Drive the car for a few miles with the fuel stabilizer before storage to allow it to move through the system.

Remove Tires for Long-Term Storage 

Another thing to know about storing your classic car long-term is tire care. Obviously, when a car is stationary for months, the tires can lose their pressure, degrade, and develop flat spots. 

Owners can avoid flat spots by occasionally driving the car, but if that’s not an option, consider putting the car on jacks and removing the tires. This ensures the tires are still in quality condition when it’s time for the car to wake from hibernation, assuming you properly store the tires to maintain their quality. 

We hope our guide helps you prepare your classic car for its long sleep. Remember our tips, and we’re sure your vintage vehicle will emerge from its slumber in the same quality condition you left it in!