old perth cars and rust Page 122

Perth’s sea breeze is lovely for humans and utterly miserable for old steel, so yes—older Perth cars and rust go together like sunscreen and summer.

Look for cars that have spent life inland, check for proper rustproofing, and bring a magnet and torch; shiny resprays can hide crunchy secrets beneath.

Focus inspections under the car and in water traps; salt air plus poor drainage equals holes you can post a sausage roll through.

If you do buy, rinse the underbody regularly, treat early spots, and keep it garaged—your future self will thank you.

• Inspect sills, wheel arches, floorpans, boot wells, windscreen surrounds, and subframes
• Check under carpets and in spare-wheel wells for moisture
• Probe drain holes and seams; look for bubbling paint or fresh underseal
• Favour cars with service history and evidence of rust treatment