Picture this. You’re driving through town in your 1969 Pontiac Firebird and everyone you pass is stopping and staring as you go by. Now if you want them to be staring because your collector car is in impeccable condition and not because your car squeals every time you touch the brakes, please take the time to make sure you’re taking proper care of your investment.

Maintenance and storage are incredibly important if you want your collector car to look like it just came off the line. Here are some maintenance and storage tips that could help:

Proper maintenance tips for your collector car

1. Make sure you’re getting regular tune-ups by someone qualified to work on the specific vehicle you have. Older vehicles should only be trusted to qualified technicians.

2. Make sure to wash your vehicle regularly as dust and dirt can hurt your paint job.

3. Try to drive your collector car at least once a month as your climate allows. A vehicle was made to be operated, and driving your collector car ensures that all the fluids are properly lubricating. You can also make sure it’s not overheating and the brakes are working correctly.

4. When parking your collector car, be sure to avoid parking on gravel or dirt. Doing so allows moisture to get into the car from the undercarriage and will cause the vehicle to degrade much faster than if it’s parked on cement.

Proper storage tips for your collector car

1. Make sure you fill your gas tank and have your oil changed before storing your car for the winter. You will also want to use a fuel stabilizer to guarantee your car is ready to go come spring.

2. Thoroughly clean your car inside and out before storing to ensure food particles left inside the car don’t attract animals and to avoid small scratches if all dirt has been removed from the exterior.

3. Use a cloth car cover, rather than a plastic one, to protect your vehicle. Plastic covers will trap moisture against your vehicle, which causes rust and corrosion.

4. Remove your spark plugs to ensure no moisture is trapped, as this will also lead to corrosion and rust.

Insurance Coverage

The most important storage and maintenance tip is to get proper insurance on your collector car. West Bend offers coverage on collector and antique vehicles as long as they meet our guidelines. We classify collector cars as vehicles that are more than 20 years old, and antiques as vehicles that were manufactured before 1950. Please contact your insurance agent for more information and to get a quote on your collector or antique vehicle.