Following on from the huge global success of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), in which riders come together on their classic and modern classic motorcycles in order to raise awareness and funds for research into prostate cancer and men’s mental health, the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive (DGD) has been in response to drivers of classic cars looking to do the same.
The first edition of the event took place in 2021 and, just like its two-wheeled counterpart, has grown over its short life into yet another must-attend event on the motoring calendar.
South Africa has not been slow to adopt the event and the most recent, taking place on Sunday, 28th August, was another huge success. Notable on the day was the strong presence of oil, lubricant and additive company Liqui Moly.
Not only does Liqui Moly support the work and goals of the DGD – the company was a participant as one of the DGD’s sponsors both at last year’s and this year’s event in SA – but it also has the backs of all classic motorists via its range of vintage and classic oils and related products.
The lubrication requirements of classic cars are very different to those of modern vehicles. Engines in classic cars were built to much looser tolerances than modern cars and, therefore, the lubrication demands cannot be compared. In addition, take into account years of wear and tear and modern oils simply don’t measure up to the task of protecting older engines.
Then, factor into the equation the usage of such vehicles; no longer are they subjected to everyday driving, which maintains a healthy level of constant lubrication, but rather are taken out on special occasions, often sitting in a garage for months on end.
Cylinder bores dry out, as do oil seals and other bearings deep in the heart of the engine. On start-up, wear and tear are magnified many times and, unless the engine is run for an appreciable length of time, they are often parked up again without all the moving parts having been lubricated properly.
Similarly, petrol left in fuel tanks can go stale, causing havoc with carburettors and fuel lines, meaning poor running and blockages. The good people at Liqui Moly recognise this and have two specific products to help classic car owners.
The first is Motor Oil Saver, or those old timers that have been standing for a while with engine oil leaks. An easy way to restore the seals and youth of the vehicle. Then there is Petrol Stabiliser, which is an excellent preventative Fuel Additive to assist with the ageing of the fuel, especially for vehicles in storage and out of commission for long periods of time.
Prevention is better than cure, so the saying goes and, with these two simple additives, the life of your classic’s engine is enhanced, as is the reliability after long periods of storage or infrequent use.
It’s all very well for your classic car to look good on the outside but, as with any piece of mechanical engineering, what goes on inside is just as, if not more, important when it comes to the pleasure of ownership.
As always, the proof is in the pudding, and we encourage our readers to do their own research on the Liqui Moly Classic Product Range.
