Classics and cold

Yes, it's even cold here in usually sunny Florida. Guess what? The Porsche's heat works nicely. Ahhh.

How's everyone else doing?

Yup. Cold in Arizona.... Gonna need a jacket tomorrow morning... At least until 10.00 AM.

David, you asked, so I’ll vent. Here in Rhode Island this is shaping up to be another of the coldest and most miserable winters in memory. This comes after the coolest summer ever and a colder and snowier than normal winter last year, December ’09 had a record breaking snowfall within a 24-hour period for this area (around 16”) and was one of the coldest Decembers on record. And it looks like 2010 will be more of the same. It snowed continuously from Dec 31 through Jan 3. The wind chill was hovering around zero last weekend. It’s snowing today and the wind chill is expected to be around zero again this weekend. I’ve used my snow blower more in the past 3 weeks than the first couple years I owned it. If it wasn’t for the fact that I own a home here (and couldn’t sell it in this economy), my immediate family is here, my excellent job is here, and the summers are usually pretty spectacular here, I’d be out of this politically corrupt state with its increasingly colder winters and be driving my Miata and Spitfire in a warmer climate. But I’ll persevere and just take more winter vacations to warmer climates. There, I feel better after venting. Thanks for the opportunity!

A PS: The CRX almost didn't start this morning. And to be honest, I grew up shoveling snow. I don't miss it. I miss the seasons, the people and the bagels, but not shoveling snow.

If you want to shovel snow we have plenty here in Illinois. The Alfa has been covered in the Garage since the middle of November. Oh well. Happy to hear the heater works well. You know there is a blower switch by the e brake right? Make sure you turn it off after you park as it does not turn off with the key and will drain the battery.

-25C bring it.

Here in PA it's about 10F with a wind chill of about -5 to -8F. It's going to warm up next week in the mid 30's!! I have the bugeye covered out in the heated garage where it's a balmy 50F

It was sunny and in the high 40s here in Washington State yesterday.

Dave

It is even cold (8-9F) in Oklahoma. We had the kind of blizzard over Christmas that Andre would recognize only too well. I dug out my parka and mitts and boots and will walk in comfort until the ice melts. I keep the Fiat away from salty roads and deep snow but will likely use it for local cars and coffee this weekend if it stays dry. It has been parked for the last three weeks. It has thick 10-40 oil in it. So I will make sure I warm it well. It has a good heater but a quick openning thermostat that keeps the engine temperature a bit cooler than is ideal around town. The top is fortunately up since it would be too cold to operate safely at these temperatures.

Cheers Ron

I don't mind the cold so much, but I hate snow removal. I'm seriously considering a snowblower, but I don't want to use any more garage space on such boring items.

My garage is insulated and I have a nice heater.

So yesterday I was actually sweating.

Snowblower wise.

I retired the old unit for this season. Actually miss the old beast, but the new one is working well.

As André notes, snowblowers are a necessity. That, or a contract with a local plow company. I've blown my driveway about 5 times already this season...

GGarrard

Here in Maine, it is winter as usual. Lots of cold and snow though not quite as much of the white stuff as the past two years. The Triumph and Jag are both parked as neither are allowed on the white-with-salt roads. However, I recently found a new way to enjoy a classic during the winter.

I never understood the fascination with old tractors until this past summer when I bought a 35 year old (more or less) Massey Ferguson lawn tractor with monster snow blower. Eventually, the tractor gets a full restoration when both cars are complete (and yes, there is quite a following for these old beasts) but in the mean time, I get to motor up and down the drive tossing snow.

Tony Yarmouth, Maine TR8 XJ6C MF14 (w/ snow blower!)

My wife and I have been out and shovelled the driveway twice in the last 24 hours.Last night she used her snowblower (an Xmas gift in 2000 from me !) to do the bulk of it, while I shovelled off the steps. This morning I went out and shovelled the entire 150 foot driveway by hand. It was a nice quiet ,snowy morning. I love being out in it. I actually enjoy winter more than the heat of summer, especially if it's a proper winter instead of the usual slush . Both my wife and I grew up north of Montreal, so that probably explains it. I did go for a drive in the Miata for some amusement this afternoon. Lot's of sideways.Winter is whatever you make of it. Andre, you ought to have a Classic Motorsports/Grassroots Motorsports skating party on the canal. Show these guys how to enjoy winter.

Warren

PS. I did go out to the garage today and use tools,but that was a heat gun and a vise to change the blade in my hockey stick.

I could get away without the snow blower, but a few years ago I had a bad accident and after that I found clearing heavy snow would compress my back.

Blower helps with that. Oddly enough parenthood has been a great way to strengthen my back to handle more weight.

I think the Canal will be open soon.

We want to take James to see winterlude this year for sure. He's really taken to winter... Good Canadian kid.

BUILT for speed...

I tend to drive more as the weather gets colder. I'd rather spend money on gas and drive around in the car than spend money on natural gas+electricity to heat the whole house! Today it was dry outside and not too cold, so I took the Volvo (122S wagon) out for a drive with Jessica and the dog so we could tune the newly upgraded megasquirt. I don't mind driving the car in the rain, but I didn't want to be working in the wet if we had any problems. Fortunately, all went well, the car is running a heck of a lot better after an hour of tuning.

It snowed the other day and we took the Saabaru out for a spin as I love to drive in the snow. Unfortunately, there was a lot of traffic (because people here are idiots in the snow) and we didn't get enough snow to make things very interesting.

Bryce

It was 9F on Saturday but dry and I took the Fiat to cars and coffee. It started and ran very well but the tranny did feel like there was butter in it for 3-4 minutes. Only other classic there was a 59 chevy. The rest brought daily drivers. I gave it a good warmup before parking it in the garage.

Cheers Ron

I guess the only place that had decent weather this past weekend was Southern California, and as usual there was a good turnout at Cars and Coffee Irvine on Saturday morning. Check out our old friend Sideache’s SoCal Car Forum site: http://socalcarforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9055 http://socalcarforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9043

Spent the weekend in San Diego. Zoo, Balboa Park, Mission, Hotel del Coronado. It was 2 below.

2 below 80 ha ha ha

Wheres Al Gore when you need him ? Looks like another Ice Age is on the way.

Ah yes, the Hotel Del. I stayed there a few years ago when I was out there for the Coronado Speed Festival. Loved it.

The little eight and a half has performed admirably this winter. We had a week of sub 10 degree mornings and it took some cranking but did start even with a less than working choke. The gearbox seemed full of roofing tar for the first few miles. The heater worked suprisingly well.

The short wheelbase made its only ice excursion a bit sketchy though.