Any car aficionado that can help with this car question?

I am not super car savvy but I’d start with a trip to the mechanic for a diagnostic and checkup.
Yes, most likely replace the battery, check and rotate tires, flush cooling system, all new fluids, oil change, belt checks, smog test etc.

A qualified mechanic should be able to get it up to par unless there is some mechanical issues that need attention.

It also needs to be taken out on the highway and run.

Driving a car as it was intended to be driven is good for it. Good luck!

And the hoses will need to be checked to make sure they didn’t dry out and crack. The tires need to be checked for flat spots and dry rot. I guess. My knowledge of cars kind of ends at 1940 and it wasn’t that great to begin with.

@Coloma that’s what I was thinking all new fluids. So my best bet would be to have it towed to a mechanic and have it checked out. I guess I’m fearing getting ripped off so I want to know what I’m talking about when I undertake this project.

@mrentropy thanx, I don’t want to forget the hoses. I know I’m looking at all new tires too.:)

Here is a link with a brief description of what to do. You may be able to fire it right up if the gas is still good. It says to take the plugs out first and crank the engine to get the oil up and around the moving parts before you fire it up for real. It says to look for critters up under the hood! Mice love wires too….checks for damaged wiring.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/laying_up.html

In time gas will gel and can clog the gas lines. I would do as suggested and have it towed in to a mechanic who can get it up and going for you.

@AmWiser

You might want to save the towing charges and see about a mobile mechanic to give it a quick once over at home.

Check around for prices and service call fees, might be cheaper than towing, and, often the mobile mechanics don’t have the overhead of a shop so their prices are suprisingly reasonable.

My mechanic is up to $85 an hour now! Aaaaah!

I have a 1991 Honda Accord that sat for fours years. Here is the process I used.

Recharged its battery. Bought new tires, sinces its tires had dry-rotted. Be sure you check this out. Drained the gasoline from the gas tank. Replenished with fresh gasoline. Once I started the Honda, I went and had the oil and filter changed. This is important, since oil viscosity breaks down over time and does not protect the engines moving parts.

All Total, this cost me about $1,000 dollars. It was worth it. My Honda only has 85,000 miles and is paid for.

$1,000 upfront is much better than an expensive car note for the next five years.

I think I came out the winner in this situation.

You need to change the engine oil.

Your gasoline has probably gone bad, it will need to be siphoned and replaced.

All the rubber parts in the car will need to be inspected, they dry rot and go bad over time, especially if its been exposed to any elements.

Changing all fluids (break, transmission, etc) is recommended.

As you suggested, your battery is almost positively dead.

Pending where you kept it I would recommend giving it a look over for any animals or bugs that may have taken up refuge (in particular the air filter is usually a popular location).

As far as making it look mint (which I think is what you want) it will largely need just a very good cleaning.

Other than that it should fire right up.

DON’T start it until you have changed all the fluids, you will do serious damage to your engine block.

@All thank you so very much for all the great information. I now have a general idea of how I’m going to get this car started and on the road.;}

@Cruiser thanks for the link. I has a lot a very useful info.
@Summum, good point. I hadn’t thought of gas gelling.
@john65pennington, my point exactly, who needs a car note:)
@tedd, that’s one of my fears…damaging the engine block.

I’ve seen brakes seized on vehicles sitting for a month. Count on up to $250 per wheel for that. Also, corrosion/wiring problems that may show up after you drive it a bit as things move and settle. Wheel bearings, if they aren’t sealed, should be greased. The upholstery may have a certain smell that can come out on hot days too. It may be able to be cleaned.