After another action packed season of European tours for our resident road tripper, Ben Coombs of Pub2Pub Adventures and their ClassicLine Insurance-sponsored Volvo, the workshop lights are finally flicking on for the quieter, but no less important, season of winter classic car preparation.
And then, just like that, it’s December – the last month of what has been a particularly busy year. For me, 2025’s road trips began in March with a drive to the Arctic winter on the Snowstorm Rally, and finished in October, with the Classicline Volvo rolling into sight of the shores of Africa, during the Trafalgar Tour. Between these two bookends were another six rallies, making for eight in total.
It’s been Pub2Pub’s biggest year ever.
But next year is already looking bigger again, and so that means it’ll be a busy winter getting everything ready.
Naturally, much of this preparation is unglamorous in the extreme. Long hours tucked away behind a desk, planning routes, arranging hotels, writing itineraries, answering emails and the like. It’s not how us car enthusiasts dream of passing the time, but needs must, and the rewards are certainly worth it.
But what else is there which needs doing to prepare for the coming season of tours? The fun stuff, that’s what – the car prep, the ongoing restorations, and the tinkering. Because what are dull winter days for, if not for hiding in the workshop, cueing the music and getting out the tools.
Naturally, the ClassicLine Insurance-sponsored Volvo is first in line for some attention – with eight chunky European tours under its belt this year, and more to come in 2026, it deserves a thorough going-over. So, there’ll be a full service coming its way, and some preventative maintenance too, no doubt.
Daisy the Mini has had an easier year, but is still in line for some attention. With the newly rebuilt engine now run in, it’s time to hook the supercharger back up and get it back to its old self – it’s pre mountain self, that is, before the piston rings went south. Then it’ll be a case of waiting for unsalted roads before getting out and making the most of its newfound performance.
But it’s Kermit the TVR which is facing the biggest transformation. As you may know from August’s blog post, the restored chassis has now been reunited with the long-suffering body, and the final assembly is now underway. Next to the car, sat on shelves in the workshop is almost everything needed to put the car back together, almost as good as new. Through the autumn, things were so busy with trips that I went two months without managing to spend a single day on the project, but things are different now. The free time is finally there.
And then, just like that, it’s December – the last month of what has been a particularly busy year. For me, 2025’s road trips began in March with a drive to the Arctic winter on the Snowstorm Rally, and finished in October, with the Classicline Volvo rolling into sight of the shores of Africa, during the Trafalgar Tour. Between these two bookends were another six rallies, making for eight in total.
So, the highlight of the coming winter is likely to be completing the reassembly of the Chimaera, firing up the engine – with its new cam fitted – for the first time in years, and rolling on out into the spring sunshine.
It’ll be great to have it back on the road again. And it’ll also be great to drive it out of the workshop – in part, because that means there’ll be space for another project car to go in there. But what project car?
Well, that’s a question which will be answered next year…
Taking your car off the road for winter, or busy working away on a project in the garage? Our invaluable laid up insurance cover can protect your unused vehicle and its spare parts and accessories this winter. With ClassicLine Insurance, you can even arrange agreed valuation cover for laid up policies. Talk to our expert team to find out more on 01455 639 000.
