'Classic Car' Smell

[lesworth]

After weeks of searching I have finally taken the plunge and I'm now the very proud owner of a guards red 1988 Carrera Targa. I've had it for a week now and there is a pretty strong smell inside, particularly when its been sitting idle under its cover in the garage for a while.

I cant really explain the smell other than its exactly the same 'classic car' smell I remember from my Nan's old Morris Minor! Does this ring bells with anyone? Am I talking nonsense? Is there really a 'classic car' smell.......?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Do Halfords sell it in a "car freshener"?[]

 

[plhorner]

Sounds like a little damp somewhere to me!

 

[bones]

Congrats on the car Les, as a Targa owner of decades I know you will love it in the summer. Contrary to popular opinion Targas don't all leak and shouldn't if looked after. However you may have bought one that has at some point leaked and this might be the problem. It's most likely to be the rear carpets that have suffered so take them out and have a good look for deterioration on the back of the carpet and staining. If you have a garage with electrical points you need to get the interior of the car really hot for a few days - the sun is the best thing - but all this will be no good if your car is leaking . The only ways to find out are drive it in lousy weather or point a hose-pipe at it. Do the test first and let us know how you get on.

 

[lesworth]

The carpets are all in good condition (no signs of rot anywhere) and to be honest its not really a damp or musky smell. The car hasnt been used in the wet for a couple of years (according to the owner) and he also kept it garaged when not in use. Its more of a sharp, almost oily smell.

I'm probably being too fussy. Once I start driving it all those worries dissapear! Perhaps a good interior valet is in order!

 

[plhorner]

Les, it might just be something as simple as an interior cleaner thats been used in there. Some of the do have quite strong smells especially the leather treatments.
Hope you enjoy it, I've had mine for 5 years now and it still puts a smile on my face!

 

[bones]

If it's an oily smaell Les it may well be just . If the car hasn't been used a lot a small oil leak from the engine may be dripping onto the heat exchangers, consequently everytime the car is used, you smell oil and it quickly permeates the cloth and leather, pretty soon you have a permanent smell of oil. You may just have the classic flat-6 smell. A valet will help but do it after you have driven the car a lot and burnt of any oil that might be on the heat exchangers.

 

[lesworth]

Thanks for your help everyone. I cant wait to get stuck in and start cleaning and detailing.

This is a very welcoming forum!

 

[lesworth]

Looking back through the history, the car has only done around 3000 miles in the last few years. There also appears to have been a leak in the past as the Oil return pipes etc have been renewed in the last three years. Its sorted now as the car hasnt dropped so much as a spec of oil on my Garage floor!

This give me an excuse to go for a long blast up some B road this weekend before I put the marigolds on and get stuck in!

 

[75pno]

You are not alone !
I had a smell in my old 911 (1969 2.0) old engine before anyone asks)
When i changed to my 3.2 (1989) no smell !
But after a while this smell has haunted this car ! It is like a oil type smell, I reckon it is lack of use eg weekends, or maybe I am just mad too!
75pno
very white very wide