Even though we have recently enjoyed record high temps for the season, we know it can't last. Soon it will be very cold outside in the northern states and it's been getting dark earlier every day. Cruising opportunities will be few if there are any at all, so chances are your ride won't see the road until spring.

If you have a warm and dry place to work that is properly vented, the news isn't all bad, however. The shortest day of the year arrived just a few days before Christmas, and from now through approximately June 22, 2016, daylight will remain a little longer each day.

We all have electricity, so the presence of the sun isn't exactly a requirement to get work done on our cars, but I think that there is some kind of psychological thing that makes daylight instill just a little more hope that warmer weather is just around the corner.

See our classic auto winter project checklist.