Classic cars are prized possessions for their owners, and they must be protected well. The only way for one to protect a classic car from a flood is to park it in a secure and safe location. There are some cases where the owners often fail to stow their car in storage that is free from floods. Or even worse, despite storing their car during a hurricane or storm, the water from the flood found its way into the car.
Eugene Bernshtam completed his graduation from the Loyola Business School with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He received both Series 7 and 63 certifications for selling investment securities, and directly out of college, he started to work for an investment banking firm. He later worked for many multinational companies and currently heads the commercial real estate development company Avalon Holdings, LLC and its affiliated entities.
He is also actively involved in car restoration. He is among the Illinois Secretary of State licensed auto dealers and holds membership in both the Lamborghini Club of America and the Ferrari Club of America (FCA).
Time-consuming and expensive
According to him, the restoration of a flooded car is a very expensive and meticulous project. One needs to be prepared for the time and money needed for the task. There is no component in the car that cannot be damaged by the water in flood, especially if this water is saltwater. However, there are other ways via which one can reduce the damage so long as the following steps are done-
- One should disconnect the battery. In fact, this should be done before the flooding.
- The transmission and the engine should be checked. If the water has reached the parts, the engine should not be started before the contaminants and the debris has been removed from the radiator find, the carburetor, and the engine bay. In most cases, the engine needs to be dismantled to clean those components. The transmission fluids and the oils should be replaced to ensure the debris gets removed.
- The suspension and the brakes should be inspected. These parts also feel the brunt of the floodwater as they tend to erode fast when they are submerged in the water. To salvage them or at least some of their parts, they must be dismantled and cleaned instantly.
- The interior should be dried out and cleaned. This includes the carpets and cushions immediately so that mildew and mold can be prevented from forming.
Eugene Bernshtam is of the opinion that one should look after their classic car correctly if it has been affected by a flood. Likewise, most of them are allowed to rot away in obscure places when it comes to the general care of classic cars. When it comes to their maintenance and restoration, there are several things that owners must consider. It is prudent to consult an expert for the restoration project to avoid expensive damage to the car.
