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THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC CAR GUIDE

How to Buy, Maintain & Repair Classic Cars

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€80

Over 530 pages in this essential classic car guide

290 Chapters

Available as Paper- (€80), Hardback (€100) or Ebook (€45)

Hundreds of detailed illustrations, graphs and pictures

20 years experience from a real enthusiast

Where and how to successfully buy classic cars

How to maintain, troubleshoot and repair classic cars

Car systems and components

Understanding combustion engines

Tips, tricks and how-to's

This book could potentially save you money in repair bills

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Check out the +290 chapters here

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THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC CAR GUIDE - How to Buy, Maintain and Repair Classic Cars is a comprehensive and illustrated 530+ page “How To” guide that describes the process of buying your first classic car, how it functions, how to take care of it and how to do your diagnosis and repairs. Basic mechanical and electrical concepts, as well as tools and skills required, are explained.

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Over 200 of the most important car components, how they work and what can go wrong with them are thoroughly described. This includes simple illustrations and example pictures with clear and understandable language.

 

This guide provides mechanical knowledge to help the reader talk intelligently with mechanics, understand repair manuals, and diagnose car problems.

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There are many practical guides and tips to save time and cost with the ownership of classic cars. The book is specifically oriented towards practicality and car-related maintenance, prevention, diagnosis and repair with simple means and no expensive analysers or professional garage equipment.

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THE BOOK

THE LOG BOOK

Included in the book purchase is the Auto Log Book. This is a comprehensive 64-page Vehicle Log Book to track all maintenance and repair related events as well as multiple checklists to stay organised and prepared for all eventualities when operating a classic car.

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SAVVY: If you follow the checklists and recommendations you can eliminate the chance of getting fooled when buying a classic or used car. 

EASY TO UNDERSTAND 

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LEARN: You'll be able to understand your car, the basics of combustion engines and to interpret symptoms and find the best solutions.

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SAVE: You'll avoid unnecessary repairs which might be suggested by your garage or dealership. You'll know the issues and which repairs are essential.

FREE CONSULTATION

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THIS IS FOR YOU IF...

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...you are a classic car enthusiast

...you like to work on cars

...you like to restore old things

...you a fan of "Young- and Oldtimers"

...you are thinking of buying a used, old or classic car  

...you want to get more insights into combustion engines

...you want to troubleshoot and diagnose classic cars

...or if you simply want to have a chat about cars with other enthusiasts

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HEY!

 

My name is Nils; I'm a classic car enthusiast, engineer and passionate wrencher!

I've been working on cars, motorcycles and boats since I was 14. I've never bought or owned a brand new car, as I always wanted to drive old and classic vehicles. I believe that we don't need to always buy new stuff just because there is some minor imperfection or damage to it. 


I was born in Munich, Germany and grew up in Switzerland. I have a Swiss Engineering Degree and used to work for many years in the machinery and maintenance industry as a Service Engineer and Project Planner.

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As a German, I’m always looking to find out how I can do it myself. It is a big part of our culture and I believe we are all very alike. So I compiled all my experience and learnings about mechanics and cars in this book.


My passion lies with classic cars and vehicles which I spend most of my free time with. I feel most comfortable with dirty hands in a workshop and with a wrench in my hand.

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Nils

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DETAILED CHAPTER BREAKDOWN

Introduction​​
 

  • Who I am

  • Who is this book for?

  • What is a classic, vintage and antique car

  • The joy of a classic car

  • The pain of a classic car
     

Buying a Classic Car
 

  • The classic car market

  • What classic car to buy

  • Where the car was made

  • When the car was made

  • Looking for classic car ads online

  • From whom to buy a classic car

  • Buying a car from a dealership

  • How to keep your feelings and excitement in check

  • Key questions to ask the seller on the phone

  • Seller phone call checklist

  • What you have to bring to the viewing

  • When you meet the seller for the viewing

  • Test drive process

  • Before the test drive

  • Body checks

  • Engine bay checks before warm-up

  • Interior checks 

  • Test drive checks

  • After the test drive

  • Negotiation

  • Final words
     

Skills and Considerations
 

  • Skills required to own and maintain a classic car

  • Workshop garage or do it yourself

  • Mistakes people make when they first buy a classic car

  • List of tools you need

  • List of consumables you need

  • Things to carry in the car

  • Some basic mechanical and electrical concepts

  • Newton Metres

  • Horsepower

  • Bolt grades and strengths

  • Gear Types

  • Electricity

  • The electrical circuit

  • The car's wiring diagram

  • The multimeter and how to use it


The Basic Functionality of a Combustion Engine
 

  • The combustion

  • From chemical to kinetic energy

  • Diesel vs Gasoline

  • The 4-stroke cycle

  • The 2-stroke cycle

  • Advantages of two-stroke engines

  • Disadvantages of two-stroke engines

  • The efficiency of combustion engines

  • The compression ratio 

  • Combustion vs Electric

  • Different types of fuel

  • Octane numbers

  • Leaded vs Unleaded

  • Biofuels vs regular fuels

  • Standard vs Premium

  • The Expiry Date of Gasoline

  • Sulfur

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Troubleshooting and Repairs
 

  • Where to find spare parts

  • How to jumpstart a car

  • Leaks

  • Identifying leaks

  • Copper and aluminium crush washers

  • O-Rings

  • Paper and cork gaskets

  • Sealant compound

  • Special rubber and metal gaskets

  • Conical seals

  • Rotary shaft seals

  • Symptoms of a blown cylinder head gasket

  • Low power / rough idle / misfire 

  • Low coolant level

  • Milky oil in the oil filler cap

  • Water or oil leak from the cylinder head gasket

  • Excessive blow-by gasses

  • White smoke coming from the tailpipe

  • Testing for low compression

  • Dry and wet compression test

  • Relative compression test on gasoline and diesel engines

  • The blow-by gasses

  • The blow-by test

  • Bubbles in the coolant expansion tank

​Troubleshooting and Repairs

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  • Blue smoke coming from the tailpipe

  • Testing engine vacuum

  • Testing cylinder head and block for straightness

  • Oil in coolant

  • Conclusion head and gasket failure

  • Rust

  • Hidden rust

  • The right underbody and caveat protection

  • The right paint

  • Stripped nuts, bolts and threads

  • How to check your battery

  • Battery capacity test

  • How to recondition a battery

  • How to test the alternator

  • How to find a short circuit

  • How to Pass the Emissions Test

  • Testing Diesel Injectors

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Maintenance
 

  • Cleaning

  • Self-service car wash vs automatic car wash

  • How to use the manual car wash

  • Oils

  • Why changing oils

  • Oil grades

  • Single grade oils

  • Differences in oil quality

  • Build-in oil additives

  • Additives you can buy

  • Oil approval codes

  • The engine oil

  • How to check the engine oil

  • How to change the engine oil

  • What if your engine is leaking or burning oil?

  • Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)

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The Cars Anatomy

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  • ​A/C oil

  • ABS

  • Adjusting Diesel Injection Timing

  • Adjusting the Air and Fuel Mixture of a carburettor

  • Adjusting the Headlights

  • Air Conditioning System

  • Air-Cooled vs Water-Cooled

  • Airflow Sensor (MAF)

  • Alignment

  • Alternator

  • Automatic Transmission

  • Ball Joint

  • Battery

  • Brake Disc and Calliper

  • Brake Fluid

  • Brake Lines

  • Braking Pads

  • Braking System

  • Camshaft

  • Camshaft Pulley and Timing Belt/Chain

  • Carburettor

  • Carburettors vs Fuel Injection

  • Catalytic Converter

  • Centrifugal Supercharger

  • Clutch

  • Coal Brush

  • Compression Ignition

  • Compressor

  • Condenser and Fan

  • Coolant

  • Coolant Expansion Tank

  • Coolant Passages

  • Cooling System

  • Crankshaft

  • Cylinder Head

  • Cylinder Head Bolts

  • Cylinder Head Cover

  • Cylinder Head Gasket

  • Cylinder Walls, Liners and Sleeves

  • Damper Strut

  • Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

  • Diesel Common Rail Fuel Injection

  • Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

  • Diesel Exhaust System

  • Diesel Fuel Injection

  • Diesel Fuel Injector Nozzles

  • Diesel Injector Nozzles

  • Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)

  • Diesel Runaway

  • Different Types of Spark Plugs

  • Differential

  • Distributor

  • Distributor Vacuum Advance

  • Drive Delt Aggregates

  • Driveshaft

  • Dry Sump versus Wet Sump Lubrication Systems

  • Dryer

The Cars Anatomy​
 

  • EVAP Aystem

  • Electric Windows

  • Electronic Fuel Injector

  • Engine Block

  • Engine Lubrication

  • Evaporator Core and Blower

  • Exhaust Gas Recalculation (EGR)

  • Exhaust Manifold

  • Exhaust System

  • Expansion Valve

  • Fog Lights

  • Fuel Injection

  • Fuel Pressure Regulator

  • Fuel Tank

  • Gasoline Fuel Pump

  • Gasoline fuel injection

  • Glow Plugs

  • Headlights

  • Heater Core

  • How to Assemble and Adjust the Timing System

  • How to Change from R12 to R134a

  • How to Check the Glow Plugs

  • How to Install a New Distributor

  • How to Test an Ignition Coil

  • How to fill your A/C System Yourself

  • How to find Leaks in the A/C System

  • Hydraulic Valve Lifters

  • Idle Air Control Valve (IAC)

  • Ignition Coil

  • Ignition Timing, Delay and Advancing

  • Ignition on Modern Cars

  • Indicators, Taillights & Warning Lights

  • Instrument Cluster

  • Intake Manifold

  • Interference vs Non-Interference Engines

  • Interior Lighting

  • LED Retrofit Headlight Bulbs

  • Lambda Probe / O2 Sensor

  • Lighting System

  • Maintenance on Timing Belts and Chains

  • Master cylinder

  • Motor and Transmission Mounts

  • Muffler

  • Odometer

  • Oil Filter

  • Oil Pan

  • Overhead vs Pushrod (OHC vs OHV)

  • Piston and Piston Rings

  • Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)

  • Positive and Negative Camber

  • Power Steering Pump

  • Power Steering System

  • Pros and Cons of Superchargers

  • Rack and Pinion Steering Gear

  • Radiator

  • Radius Rod

  • Rectifier

  • Refrigerant

  • Replacing Defective Glow Plugs

  • Resonator

  • Roots Supercharger

  • Side Mirrors

  • Spark Plug Gapping

  • Spark Plug Heat Rating

  • Spark Plugs

  • Springs

  • Stabiliser Bar

  • Starter Motor

  • Stereo System

  • Summer, Winter and All-Season Tyres

  • Supercharger

  • Suspension

  • Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Distributor

  • The Air injection system (AIS)

  • The On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Standard

  • Thermostat

  • Throttle Body

  • Timing Chain and Belt Tensioners

  • Toe In or Out

  • Toque Converter

  • Trailer Connector Wiring

  • Transmission

  • Troubleshooting a Bad Fuel Pump

  • Turbocharged Diesel Engines

  • Turbocharger

  • Tyre Sizes and Labels

  • Tyres and Wheels

  • Unibody vs Body-on-Frame

  • Upper and Lower Arm/Bushings

  • Vacuum Booster

  • Valves

  • Viscous Coupling

  • Water Pump

  • Water-Methanol Injection

  • Wet Sump Splash Lubrication System

  • When to Replace Tyres

Chapters

RECEIVING YOUR ORDER 

PAPERBACK: This book is made to order; from print to delivery approximately 2-3 weeks and you'll receive a tracking number on shipping.  Please note that this book can't be returned due to it being made to order.

 

EBOOKS: Allow up to 24 hours for this to arrive in your inbox.

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FUTURE RELEASES: Will be provided via email and through the member's area. The price will go up over time while new chapters and versions are released. 

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BEST OF LUCK WITH YOUR CLASSIC CAR JOURNEY


This book will not give you the education of a professional car mechanic, but will teach you how to avoid all the common traps and mistakes, so many car drivers and enthusiasts make. It also empowers you to own, maintain and repair easy things on your car. 95% of the time, you can easily repair things with some time, dedication, and the right tools. There are 1000's of classic car models and each will have its own quirks and specialities to be specifically researched. It is nearly impossible to learn and know everything, but if you understand the basics, it is possible to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair most problems yourself.  This is a general guide which covers the main elements of classic car mechanics. Have fun and enjoy the process!

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