Winter storage for a classic car: 10 tips from the workshop

Why winter is the enemy

In Switzerland and northern Italy, winter brings three things classic cars don't like: salt on the roads, damp, and cold garages where condensation forms. A car left for four or five months without some care often greets spring with a flat battery, seized brakes, flat-spotted tyres and, at worst, fresh rust.

The 10 tips

1. Wash it thoroughly, underneath too. Salt and mud in the wheel arches and under the floor keep working all winter. Then dry it well, doors and boot included.
2. Protect paint and chrome with a coat of wax as a barrier against damp.
3. Change the oil before, not after. Used oil contains acidic residues that sit in the engine for months.
4. Fill the tank. A full tank holds less air and therefore less condensation. For long storage, a stabiliser helps modern fuel not to go stale.
5. Battery: connect it to a maintenance charger or disconnect the negative terminal.
6. Tyres: inflate them a little above normal or, for long storage, put the car on stands to avoid flat spots.
7. No handbrake. The shoes can stick to the drums: leave it in gear with chocks under the wheels.
8. Interior and top: clean, feed the leather and put moisture absorbers in the cabin. Leave the soft top up and dry: folded for months, it creases.
9. Breathable cover, never plastic. Plastic traps condensation right on the bodywork.
10. Watch out for mice. No food in the garage; if you block the exhaust and air intake, leave a note on the steering wheel to remind you.

The ideal place is dry and ventilated. It doesn't need heating; what matters is avoiding big swings in humidity.

Start it now and then?

Running the engine for five minutes in the garage does more harm than good: it never warms up and the condensation stays in the engine and exhaust. Either take a proper drive of at least twenty minutes on a dry day on salt-free roads, or let it rest.

In spring

Before setting off, check tyre pressures, fluids, brakes and lights. Take the first miles gently and let the engine warm up properly.

Winter is restoration season

If the car needs metalwork, upholstery or a new soft top, winter is the right time: bring it in autumn and have it ready for the good weather. For clients in Switzerland we can organise collection in autumn and return in spring.

Frequently asked questions

Can I store my classic car in an unheated garage?

Yes, if it's dry and ventilated. Damp and temperature swings matter more than the cold.

Should I start it now and then over winter?

Only for a proper drive of at least twenty minutes on dry, salt-free roads. Idling for a few minutes creates condensation in the engine.

When is the best time to bring it in for restoration?

In autumn: the work is done over winter and the car is ready for spring.