2010 Hagerty Family Car Show 2010 Hagerty Family Car Show2010 Hagerty Family Car Show2010 05 11

Listed here are 50 membership-building ideas that have been used effectively by other car clubs. While they won’t all apply to your club’s situation, we’re sure that some can be used to make your group grow.

With a limited budget, the tools in my shop come from auctions, outlet stores, mark-down aisles, swap meets, mail-order houses and eBay. My shop has bargains like a $150 air compressor, $11 work bench, $35 tool chest and $10 engine stand. Except for a few splurges like a Backyard Buddy 4-post hydraulic lift and a better-quality Eastwood engine leveler, most of my equipment could be described as “cheap tools.” That doesn’t mean they’re of inferior quality – it means they just didn’t cost as much as one might expect.

I’ve been going on parts safaris at flea markets, swap meets, garage sales and car shows for quite a few years now and, in that time, I’ve learned a thing or two about how to maximize the experience. Much of that has to do with being properly equipped.

The world is full of old cars (and assorted other types of vehicles) that are gathering dust and gradually rusting away toward oblivion. The world is also full of people like yourselves, who are looking for some automotive treasure that...

Place Holder Car guys ride with Hagerty Q&A with client Bill KlingHagerty2010 08 31

In the western suburb of St. Charles the “Chev Garage” belongs to Tom Dietz. The garage — as well as Tom’s nearby car storage building — is loaded with old Chevys (of mostly ’62 vintage), along with more Chevrolet memorabilia than you’ll find in even a large Chevy mega-dealer.

Many collector cars have serviceable, although dirty, convertible tops or vinyl roofs. Why replace these expensive items if a thorough cleaning will do? Here’s how to clean your ragtop.

Place Holder Coming through for clients Q&A with agent Carol HuffHagerty2010 08 31

Place Holder     Customer service counts Q&A with agent Mike DaltonHagerty2010 08 31

Gone are the days when you can stroll into your corner hardware store and get a key made for your MG TD or your ’63 Chrysler 300J. During the recent Iola Old Car Show, I caught up with Mike Granlund who runs Vintage Lock in Cambridge, Minnesota. Mike’s key-blank-loaded trailer is a fixture at Iola, where he makes hundreds of keys for car collectors and also provides lockout services for owners of classic cars and newer vehicles alike.

Over time your engine will acquire a coating of dirt, dust, road grime and grease and some parts will become discolored due to oxidation or gasoline/oil seepage. An hour or two (or three or four, if it’s really bad) is time well-spent considering the improvement you’ll see when the job is done.

Place Holder     From the basement up Q&A with CEO McKeel HagertyHagerty2010 08 31

Hagerty Family Car Show Article Place Holder Hagerty Family Car Show Article Place HolderHagerty Family Car Show Article Place Holder2009 04 24

Before you head to the garage to work on your winter project, follow this guide to organizing your workplace.