The job has traditionally meant cleaning and coating (with WD40, Waxoyl and similar substances) all brightware and exposed metal, outside, inside and throughout the engine bay, and leaving trays of salt in the footwells in the hope of absorbing interior moisture. A messy business and one which, if conscientiously carried out, can easily take the best part of a weekend. Not to mention an almost similar period needed in the spring, cleaning the whole lot off again. And supposing we need the car for a photo-shoot in January?

So when I saw Jaguar Mk 2 racer George Page's idea a few years ago I was immediately attracted to the concept of a controlled environment which not only did away with this 'winterisation' but appeared much superior to it. After all, the claimed moisture-removing properties of the Carcoon would ensure that rust and mould would be prevented even in those areas you can't normally reach, like inside box sections and behind trim panels - for as the ambient temperature changes, water can condense there, too.

Yes, I have a dehumidifier but I felt it was fighting a losing battle against our four-car garage. I could see many other advantages of the Carcoon as well: storage conditions would not need to be ideal in that so long as the elements were kept out, even a fairly damp building would suffice (indeed, a friend of mine spent hundreds if not thousands on expensive insulation and damp proof membranes for his new garage, only to realise that with a Carcoon this was unnecessary). So as long as there's an electricity supply, almost any old dusty or damp shack or barn, providing it's structurally OK and secure, could now serve as a car storage area.

Then, of course, the drive in, drive out nature of the Carcoon is highly convenient. Put the car in clean and it will come out after a week or a year still sparkling and with no recommissioning work needed other than possibly to the battery. You also have the pleasure of being able to see your car, free of covers, old blankets and the inevitable old cardboard boxes and other debris that tends to collect on bonnet or roof over the winter.

Snags? There's an initial outlay of two or three hundreds pounds, though in my view that's a small investment in return for the degree of preservation offered by the system. Also, don't forget that strong sunlight can have a drastic effect on trim, both natural (leather, wool) and manmade (plastic, Vinyl). I'd advise situating the Carcoon out of direct sunlight or putting a light cover over the vehicle if this isn't possible.

All in all, though, I'm thoroughly converted and very grateful to Ray Ingman of Classic Spares Ltd. Unit 4 Brook Road, Britannia Road, Waltham Cross, Herts EN8 7NP (tel: 01992 716236, fax 788424) for giving me the chance to try a Carcoon for myself.