Vintage cars on 2 post lifts

[Stuart Giles]

I think a 4 post lift would be best for front engine RWD cars such as yours. The two post types work well for cars that have a  transverse engine front wheel drive setup. On a 4 post lift getting a transaxle out of a front wheel drive car is a bit more awkward with the channels being in the way. I would have thought you could buy a 4 post secondhand for a lot less money than even a heavily discounted new one. Assuming the hydraulics aren't leaking, replace the cables to be on the safe side and you'll be good to go

I have a four post lift in one of my garages. It's a 4 tonne model that I  bought secondhand from a garage that closed down. It was several years old and cost a small fraction of the new cost and a lot less than a new Chinese lift. I narrowed mine by about 3" so that it would accommodate a short chassis A7 -losing the ability to take a big twin rear wheel van certainly won't be a problem for me. The new cables cost about £150. Narrowing a four post lift just involves moving the runners inward on the cross beams and bolting them into place. With two jacking beams installed, it's possible to get all 4 wheels in the air, and the runners make a handy place to put your tools if you are working on one or other corner of your car.