Month in Motoring November

November was the official start of the holiday season. And with that, car collectors sometimes face challenges that most people do not. Requests are made for classic cars to participate in parades and other events meant to bring happiness to communities. And that’s a wonderful thing, but as owners of collector cars, there are several things to consider before making the commitment. 

Preparing Your Car

If your cars are put away for the winter, make sure if you decide to take your car out for a day, that you can easily re-winterize them. A beautiful day may be predicted only to be followed by freezing temperatures making the prospect difficult at best. If that is not a concern, read on. 

Everyone likes to take part in parades. But holidays add different challenges. First is the weather. Depending on where you are located, harsh weather can be a real issue. So be careful. Make a firm commitment if you have a car you would only take out on a sunny winter day. Nothing is worse than people expecting to see Santa riding in the back seat of a 1934 Ford Phaeton only to have him waving out the window of a minivan due to snow.

Parade Complications

Another issue that can arise while participating in a parade is the combination of slippery streets and candy thrown to the kids. It is always dangerous to encourage kids to run into a parade, but add icy streets, heavy clothing and hats that can hinder awareness, and skinny tires, and you have a potential disaster. You can’t blame kids for being excited about seeing Santa in an old car. But that excitement can lead to a bad outcome. Even in the best conditions, vintage cars are hard to stop. If you are chosen for a key position in a parade and candy is being thrown, consider having someone walk alongside the car to distribute candy. It’s much easier to control risks for little ones getting injured while trying to have fun. 

The last thing to consider is the car itself. Make sure that it is one that can get scratched or hit with a snowball. Costumes are common in Christmas parades, and a friendly elf carrying a bag of presents squeezing into your vintage corvette might be a problem. So understand that issue as well.  

Nursing Home Visits

Another popular event is nursing home visits. Nothing brightens your day like seeing elderly people lighten up when they see decorated cars that reminds them of their childhood. These visits usually consist of driving through the parking lot, blowing the horn and waving. The sound of vintage cars can be just as stimulating as the cars themselves. You never know what people will connect with.

Sometimes there are requests for rides and pictures with the residents. If you are considering this, keep in mind a few things. First, getting in and out of the car. Make sure you have a step stool if you are taking a car like a Ford Model T. Also, it is natural for people to grab onto parts of the car while getting in. This could be a windshield mounted side mirror. You may want to consider removing yours if it is in the way. Also remember: Sometimes accidents happen when people sit in your car. Be prepared to cover your seats with blankets or another cover if that is a concern for you. 

There is nothing more fun than using your collector car. During the holidays, you can make memories that last forever. Just be careful. We all want to make sure those memories are the good kind. Happy Holidays and Happy Motoring.