Tips to Get Your Vintage Vehicle Car Show Ready

It’s that time of year again! Time to tune up your classic car and take it to your favourite show-and-shine event. Summer in the Thompson River Valley is a great time to go cruising and attend events like Kamloops’ annual “Hot Nite in the City” Car Show. At Advance Auto Service, we know how to get your classic vehicle running its best. Here are a few tips to get any vintage vehicle car show ready!

Older vehicles are all about the mechanics—and the internal parts that give them their muscle! Vintage cars and trucks need special attention to keep everything running smoothly. In addition to coming in for annual maintenance, a complete classic car tune-up might include a check and replacement (when needed) of the following:

Before the day of your car show, it’s important to take your vintage car for at least one test run. This is especially important if it was stored in the garage over winter. A test drive will get the gears moving and help you identify anything beyond a basic tune up that may need to be repaired or replaced. Try going for several shorter drives and a few longer drives—stretch her legs! Read our past article on summer driving in Canada – it’s a great way to lubricate your engine’s internal components.

When you participate in a car show, you want your classic vehicle to look its best. Clean the exterior and undercoating of your car with a spray wash of hot, soapy water. Take care not to use the scrub brush, as it will leave tiny scratches on the surface and damage your paint job. Instead, remove all surface dirt with the sprayer and gently rub down any tough-to-clean dirt with a soft, wet sponge. Apply a coat of wax by hand and buff it out in small circles with a soft shammy cloth. Clean the interior yourself with spray detailing products or take it to an auto detailer for a professional touch.

Looking to get your vehicle ready for your upcoming car show? Advance Auto Service in Kamloops is a great choice for new or classic vehicle maintenance and repairs. Contact us today to book your next service visit at one of our two Kamloops locations.