In most of the northern hemisphere winter is fast approaching, so thoughts now start to turn to the all-important winter storage of our classic cars. Today, we take a look at some of the essential points to consider when storing your vehicle and also showcase one of the leading dedicated classic car storage facilities in central London, this being London Car Store, which is the only car storage facility actually located in central London.

Firstly, Cleaning Your Car fully inside and out, including a wash, polish and wax, is an essential starting point. Make sure there is no rubbish or forgotten food hidden away anywhere too. After cleaning, a short run for just 10 minutes will ensure all brake discs are dry.

Next, Wheels and Tyres need inspection so remove and clean all wheel nuts and ensure they are greased with a good anti-seize on the threads before putting them back on. For the tyres, clean out any debris and add an extra 10 psi, unless you can store the car using axle stands – but remember to check tyre pressure and reduce it should you wish to take the car out for a drive.

Moving on, Fuel Levels are essential so fill the fuel tank with premium-grade fuel to avoid any condensation and, if you need to, add some fuel stabiliser to help. Also, remember to fill your anti-freeze with liquid at the right concentration.

Parking can be overlooked, so be sure to park your vehicle with the bonnet facing out, to enable easy access to the battery in particular. Leave the handbrake off and the car in gear (or in "Park" if an automatic) as this will prevent brakes from seizing.

Battery Care is essential although there is no need to remove the battery during winter storage, but it should be maintained and charged. We recommend using a good battery conditioner & charger for this purpose. Keeping windscreen wipers slightly off the glass is also a good idea, to prevent the rubber from perishing.

Next, Preventing Moisture and allowing Air Circulation is essential so it's a good idea to leave the driver's window slightly open, just enough to allow a little finger through but no more, as this will allow a small air flow in the car. Using a dehumidifier is also an option but be sure it is not set too high, as this will draw all moisture from everything.

Finally, it is time to Cover Your Car, so prior to covering it might be useful to put a bung of some kind in the exhaust and cover air intakes. Your actual car cover should not be 100% waterproof so it's best to invest in a semi-tailored breathable cover of some kind. For added security and safety, ensure all garage windows are covered, no garage door remote is left in the car, and you have valid insurance even during these storage months.

During the winter months, keep an eye on your car at least every 30 days. Check the battery conditioner, look over the vehicle for any unwanted additions, look in the boot, under the bonnet, check tyre pressures. Keep an eye open for any oil leaks, make sure that no water or fuel is leaking into the engine oil, and get in and pump the brakes every week or so.

It's not recommended to start up the engine and keep it running for a while during storage but, if there is a nice day, take the car out for a short run, just to warm everything up. However, be sure to check everything has been connected (or disconnected where necessary) before going out and follow the storage steps again on return.

All sounds a lot to do, doesn't it? However, help is at hand if you don't want the hassle yourself. There are many excellent car storage providers out there and, if you are in or near central London, we can strongly recommend the services of London Car Store, a secure car and motorcycle storage facility right in the heart of the capital.

Just five minutes' walk from Marble Arch tube station and the Paddington mainline, they offer an underground storage location that has no public access and has a 24-hour monitored alarm system linked directly to the Metropolitan Police Service. On weekdays, the facility is also fully manned for the full duration of their business hours.

London Car Store will clean your car, complete a thorough check, and then cover it with static dust sheets (unless you wish to use your own cover). If you bring your car in with its battery conditioner they'll ensure it remains in perfect condition throughout, if you don't have one then they have industry-respected CTEK battery conditioners available for purchase.

During storage they will also check the oil, washer and tyre pressures at no extra cost – it's all part of the service – with a minimum storage period of just one month.

Give them a call if you have any questions or require information on 020 7262 8887 or check out their website at www.londoncarstore.com

The late Queen Elizabeth II always had a love for cars, which can most likely be traced back to World War II when she was a member of the Women's Auxiliary Service and also became involved as a mechanic.

From these early beginnings her love for cars, and in particular the classics started to grow. Being the Queen, she was allowed to drive without a license, which on occasion she would do but usually in the confines of private estates such as Balmoral.

Her collection of cars is believed to have cost £14 million and comprised of such classics as Bentleys, Jaguars, a one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce, a Daimler Super V8 LWB, and the ever-popular Land Rover Defender, that she would often be seen in during countryside retreats.

Here we take a look at a selection of ten cars that were owned by Her Majesty over the years, in no particular order of ownership or value – and there are many more that we could also list.

First up is a Land Rover Range Rover Hybrid Landaulet. This vehicle was produced for the Queen by Land Rover, who provided 4 cars for the royal family since the first Land Rover Series 1 in 1953. This Hybrid was designed to replace the official Range Rover that was previously being used.

The 1953 Land Rover Series 1 was a particular favourite of the Queen and was at the forefront of design and performance back in the early 50s. When she was out driving, it was often a Land rover that the Queen would be seen in.

A 1930 Citroen C4 is one of the older models in the collection and was produced to replace the Type A and family cars. Produced between 1928 and 1932, the C4 is a rare model to find today despite 121,000 being manufactured and was one of the most successful cars built after World War I.

The 2002 Bentley State Limousine is very special as only 2 were produced, with both belonging to the royal family. It was commissioned by the Queen to mark her Golden Jubilee in 2002. With its 6.75-litre V8 engine, it was a modification of the Arnage R.

Daimler has figured prominently in the collection over the years with a 1929 Daimler Double Six being another of the older classics in the line-up. With a powerful yet smooth engine, this Daimler has become very collectible. The one belonging to the Queen is now in the possession of the Royal Museum, as are many of the vehicles that belonged to the Queen.

A 1970 Daimler Vanden Plas is another in the collection, one of three owned by the Queen which she commissioned with special features such as no chrome around the doors. Only 351 were produced, making them very rare indeed.

A 1966 Aston Martin DB6 also appears in the collection and was driven by the now King Charles III back in the 1960s, and must surely have been driven privately by the Queen too at some point. The DB6 was the longest-running in production from Aston Martin with 1,788 units produced from 1965 to 1971.

A 2016 Bentley Bentayga was one of the more recent vehicles acquired by Her Majesty, a rare car indeed with the very first one produced being delivered to the Queen herself. This SUV is currently the fastest in the world and has a luxurious interior, with the Queen's also specially customized.

We will complete our list with a couple of the Rolls-Royce models that are in the collection. The 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost is one of the world's rarest vehicles, one sold at auction for over $7.1 million back in 2012, and the late Queen had one in her collection purely as a collectible. It was referred to as the best car in the world by Rolls-Royce when it was being produced.

Completing our list is a 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, and with only 516 produced, it is very collectible. Produced between 1959 and 1968, many are owned by royal families and governments across the globe. With a 4-speed automatic transmission and a V9 twin-carburettor engine, the Phantom V was officially retired from the Queen's fleet back in 2002.

So there we have quite a collection, with many others that we could have listed. The late Queen was a true lover of automobiles and in particular, the classics, showcasing some of the most prestigious cars that Britain had to offer.

This museum in Stuttgart has over 1,500 exhibits on show and is spread over nine levels, covering a floor space of 16,500 m². The history of Mercedes-Benz is in full view here from the very first patented car in the world to the most recent hydrogen vehicle.

Invented by Carl Benz in 1886, the museum celebrates all that the iconic brand stands for; the history, stories, technology and its place in popular culture. Over 160 vehicles of all types form the main centrepiece of the museum, ranging from some of the oldest vehicles ever made to legendary racing cars and vehicles of the future.

These vehicles, together with all of the other exhibits, form a permanent exhibition located in twelve different rooms that can be covered in group or private tours.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm, with the ticket office closing at 5 pm – the museum is closed on Mondays and opening hours may vary during holiday periods.

At just 12 Euros for a regular day ticket, the museum offers great value, with reduced tickets also available for 6 Euros and free entry for children up to and including the age of 12.

There are special events and exhibitions organised during the year, guided tours, and activities for kids, so you are guaranteed a great day out.

With so many vehicles on display, here we highlight just a small selection of the legends that you will see during your visit.

The 40 PS Mercedes Simplex is the oldest Mercedes still in existence and was the successor to the 35 PS Mercedes designed by Wilhelm Maybach, which was the world's first car of the modern age. It was given the "Simplex" name due to the ease with which it handled and had a top speed of 50 mph from its 4-cylinder engine.

The 75 PS Mercedes was the first series model and was built between 1907 and 1911, with a variety of different bodies. The one shown here is an open tourer (phaeton) that featured two rows of seats. Another 4-cylinder engine which was capable of reaching a top speed of 59 mph.

At the start of the 50s, we saw the release of the Mercedes-Benz 300 S, a top-of-the-range and very sporty model. Available as a coupe, convertible and roadster it had 6 cylinders and a top speed of 108 mph, with only 560 units produced.

In 1954, the 300 SL production sports car came out. This iconic vehicle soon became known as the Gullwing because of its very characteristic upward-opening doors. With a top speed of 162 mph, it became the dream car of the 1950s and was produced from 1954 to 1957.

And finally, moving into the mid-60s, we can see the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, which was the world's first sports car with a sturdy passenger cell and crumple zones - and also its concaved removable hardtop. Due to this appearance, it soon became known as the Pagoda, a reference to Asian temples of the same name and their roof shape.19831 units were produced between 1963 and 1967 and the 230 SL was capable of reaching a speed of 124 mph.

The Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart is well worth a visit and you can read all about it here on their official website: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/art-and-culture/museum/

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2022 will see the 60th birthday of possibly the most famous car in the world, the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO. With only 39 models built, the 250 GTO was destined for greatness, going on to win races with its high performance and admiration for its stunning looks. So, as we wish a happy 60th to such a classic in 2022, we thought it only right to mention a few other notable milestones from both 1952 and 1962.

In 1952, three classics were born that will celebrate 70 year anniversaries in 2022. Firstly, the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn, now with the option of a four-speed automatic gearbox as opposed to only manual. It was launched as a successor to the earlier Dawn and Bentley MkVI models.

The Bentley Continental R, with its sleek body designed by HJ Mulliner, also appeared in 1952. This very stylish classic was fitted with a manual gearbox in what was a real supercar of the day, but an automatic version was also available. High-speed cruising was the key feature of this beauty, with 100mph attainable even with four occupants.

Completing a trio of Platinum jubilee cars is the Austin A30. This model was initially manufactured as a four-door version in 1952, with two-door and Countryman estate versions following soon after. With a new A-series engine, this A30 was certainly a more visually appealing model than earlier Austin vehicles. This small family car was released as a competitor to the Morris Minor.

As we move into the 60s, 1962 saw the birth of another four classics that will reach their Diamond anniversary in 2022, beginning with the MGB Roadster. For many years the MGB was the best-selling sports car in the world, with production continuing right up until the early 1980s. The Roadster released in 1962 was bigger and more comfortable than the previous MGA, and also quicker. The MGB was only manufactured as a Roadster initially, with another three years passing before a closed GT coupe version became available.

The Triumph Spitfire is another that turns 60 in 2022. This small sports car was built to take on the MG Midget, and with its spacious interior and more powerful engine, it soon became a very popular model, still selling well into the early 80s.

How could we compile a list of 60-year-olds and not mention this one, the iconic AC Cobra? With a Ford V8 engine installed, the first AC Cobra was manufactured in January 1962, with later models having a slightly larger engine capacity. This Carol Shelby classic had amazing performance and would go on to write its own history on the road and race track.

Completing our 60th birthday honours list is the Alfa Romeo Giulia. This early 60s saloon sold over 800,000 models during a 10-year production life. With its smart looks and manual five-speed gearbox, the Giulia was a very agile mover, despite being aimed at the family market.

So there we have a shortlist of Platinum and Diamond anniversary classics to celebrate in 2022, although they still have a few years to go before reaching the century mark of 100 years! One final raise of the glass is in order for the Amilcar C4, which reaches this remarkable milestone in 2022, a car that first appeared was back in 1922 in the days of the cyclecar market!