I was wondering.. what is it that gives old cars that characteristic smell when they drive past (or you stand near one)?
Everything from Triumphs to Mini's to old yank mobiles all seem to do it, and they have that smell whether the engine is knackered or in good
condition.. So I don't think it's necessarily burning oil. Or maybe it's burning a different type of oil?
So what is it that is different about them compared to say a 90's japanese or ford engine which just seem to lack the same smell?
Bored on a sunday. 
my mum could always tell when a classic car was running on castrol r oil from the smell of it driving by, so maybe its that?
It's probably just petrol 
quote:
Originally posted by BenB
It's probably just petrol
Does that imply then that they all run too rich? (at least in parts of the rpm range - e.g. idle)
Castrol-R, just have a sniff of Snuggs's Viento Exhaust. (I did think about writing that without 'Vieto' in it.)
My Lada used to smell like a classic - its all the oil dripping from the gearbox,diffs,sump mixed with a few petrol whiffs, and stuff melting etc.
Mine didnt have the leather seats, so there was never a leather whiff.
No cat, smells like an old lawnmower !
Yup, I think the key here is no Cat.... Plus perhaps a little richer than a modern engine..
Could be a combination of lots of things:
Those mentioned above such as unburnt fuel, CAT, a more efficent burn and those recycling carbon canisters.
One of the great things about the Goodwood revial is the smell, for some strange reason especially with the bikes....
Castrol R
Mmm mmmm
Perhaps its not the car. Maybe a feint smell of wee from the old git driving it?
quote:
Originally posted by balidey
Perhaps its not the car. Maybe a feint smell of wee from the old git driving it?
I always put a bit of Castrol 'R' in the lawnmower petrol. Makes cutting the lawns almost pleasurable!
I love the smell of high octane exhaust smoke and squeeling rubber. Could be why I marshal at Oulton.
I found old cars smell a bit oily on the inside... It's like "old car smell"
Simple, no CAT... thats the only reason
Carb or injection, they'll smell the same. Mainly unburned hydrocarbons. If its really rich it'll just smell of petrol