Winter checks 45 www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 www.jlmlubricants.co.uk Professional Additives ‘Golden opportunity’ knocks for workshops While winter is the time that classic car owners may be preparing their vehicle for storage in the colder months, it could be the perfect time for garages to offer checks, services and even upgrades. As classic car owners prepare for winter ‘hibernation’, they may turn to garages for advice on how to approach checking their vehicle, such as assessing the car’s vital fluids, choosing a dry and well-ventilated storage space, preventing tyre flat spots and, most importantly, arranging a pre-storage inspection. This gives garages a golden opportunity to work with their customers beyond just the traditional checks, to provide extra services that could help owners run their vehicles comfortably all year round — whatever the weather. Classic car restoration specialist, Clayton Classics, is urging garage owners to consider working with trusted partners to increase their service offering and provide upgraded, bespoke heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems — which could be gamechangers for owners who would not have known this is an option for their historic model. The premium systems can be supplied in kit form to garages and play an important role in maintaining the vehicle in the variable British weather, not just for the temperature control, but for keeping windscreens and door windows clear during wet conditions. They are also fitted discreetly and in-keeping with the vehicle’s styling, and are reversible, which is a huge benefit for customers who do not want a permanent change to their model. Recognising increasing all-year-round demand from their own customers, Clayton Classics recently launched its upgraded climate control systems that can go directly to technicians and workshops to their customer base — supported with expert guidance. The business, which initially specialised in Jaguar E-Types, has now expanded its climate control expertise across seven more iconic marques, including Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Porsche and Daimler — compatible with over 20 vehicle models. Dean Allsop, director at Clayton Classics, said: “Many classic cars don’t have heating and air conditioning systems, or they are outdated, but these systems are vital in keeping the car comfortable in cold weather, and for demisting in wetter weather. “Our premium systems are authentically designed so they are in keeping with the style and era of each vehicle. They can even be removed without trace at a later date — which is important if a customer wants to option to sell on the vehicle in the original specifications. “When carrying out winter checks, I would urge garages looking for additional opportunities, to offer inspection and installation of our bespoke heating and air conditioning systems as an extra benefit to customers at this time of year.” For more than a century, Clayton has been a leader in technical innovation for heating systems and, more recently, specifically for classic cars. Its readyto-install climate control systems have been developed following testing and development in extreme conditions in rallies in New Zealand and California, using expertise from its history in manufacturing heating systems in large vehicle fleets. Visit www.claytonclassics.co.uk for more information about Clayton Classics and to find out if its range of HVAC systems are an option for your business and customers.
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