Hawk Vintage Cool 180° Waterless Cooling Fluid 25L

Hawk Vintage Cool 180° 25L waterless cooling fluid is specially formulated for classic cars, historic vehicles, and vintage machinery. To help guide your selection within the Hawk range, Vintage Cool is particularly recommended for vehicles dating back to the 1950s, provided you verify the engine technology and cooling system.

This formulation addresses the specific characteristics of older engines equipped with pre-nodular cast iron blocks and featuring numerous copper and brass components. It is particularly valuable for the restoration and preservation of classic cars, where long-term protection of the engine, radiator, and various components of the cooling system is essential.

Hawk Vintage Cool 180° operates without water. It thus eliminates oxidation-related corrosion caused by the presence of water and significantly reduces cavitation, pressure, and high-temperature vapor formation. Its boiling point, which exceeds 180°C, also provides a substantial margin before boiling occurs.

Warning: Hawk Vintage Cool 180° is not suitable for engines using a thermosiphon cooling system. This must be verified before converting a very old car.

The Benefits of Hawk Vintage Cool 180° for Classic Vehicles

• Formulated for vintage engines: specially adapted for engines with pre-nodular cast iron engine blocks and numerous copper and brass components.
• Ideal for automotive restoration: particularly useful for preserving the cooling systems of classic cars and historic vehicles.
• 100% water-free: eliminates issues directly related to the presence of water in the system.
• Boiling point above 180°C: significantly reduces the risk of boiling and vapor formation associated with water-based fluids.
• Freezing point below -40°C: protects the system from freezing without requiring the addition of extra antifreeze.
• 75% lower vapor pressure: reduces stress on hoses, gaskets, and system components, according to Hawk.
• 75% reduction in cavitation erosion: helps preserve the metal components of the cooling system.
• Protection against oxidation: The absence of water eliminates oxidation corrosion, according to Hawk.
• Long-term preservation: particularly beneficial for classic cars that may remain unused for extended periods.
• Long operating time: Hawk claims over 20 years and one million miles of service without the need for replacement.
• Non-toxic: Formulation tested and certified as non-toxic by Hawk; biodegradable and non-bioaccumulative.
• 25-liter container: suitable for restorers, specialty shops, automotive museums, and collectors with multiple vehicles.

Thorough preparation of the cooling system is required

Before filling a classic car with Vintage Cool 180°, as much water and old cooling fluid as possible must be removed. This step is particularly important for classic cars, as the engine block, radiator, or cooling lines may retain a significant quantity of fluid even after a standard drain.

The cooling system must be prepared using Hawk Prep Fluid 5L. Its hygroscopic properties help remove residual water from the engine before the final fill.

Once this preparation is complete, the Prep Fluid must be drained. The residual water content after conversion should ideally be 3% or less. It can be checked using a refractometer.

Technical Specifications for Hawk Vintage Cool 180° 25L

• Brand: Hawk Waterless Coolants
• Range: Vintage Cool 180°
• Type: Waterless engine cooling fluid
• Volume: 25 liters
• Applications: Classic cars / historic vehicles / collector's cars
• Recommended Use: Primarily vehicles manufactured up to the years 1950 to 1959
• Engine type: Older engines with pre-nodular cast iron blocks
• Materials particularly affected: Pre-nodular cast iron / copper / brass
• State: Low-viscosity synthetic liquid
• Boiling point: Above 180°C
• Freezing point: Below -40°C
• Vapor pressure: 75% lower than that of water-based fluids, according to Hawk
• Cavitation erosion: Reported 75% reduction compared to water-based liquids
• Color: Transparent purple
• Odor: Virtually odorless
• Thermosiphon cooling: Not compatible
• System preparation: Use Hawk Prep Fluid when converting from a water-based fluid
• Residual water after conversion: Ideally 3% or less
• Testing: Refractometer
• Former brand name: Evans Waterless Coolants
• Former product name: Evans Vintage Cool 180°

Why is Vintage Cool specifically designed for older engines?

A car built in the first half of the 20th century does not necessarily have a cooling system comparable to that of a more recent conventional car. The materials used in the engine block, radiator, and piping are therefore a key factor in selecting the appropriate cooling fluid.

Hawk Vintage Cool 180° is specifically designed for older engines that use pre-nodular cast iron blocks and numerous copper and brass components. These characteristics distinguish it from Classic Cool 180°, which is intended for a more recent generation of classic cars.

To simplify the choice, vehicles up to the 1950s can be used as a guideline for Vintage Cool. However, the year is only a rough guide: the actual technology of the engine and cooling system must always be verified.

Protecting a Restored Vintage Engine from Corrosion

Corrosion in the cooling system is a major concern when maintaining a historic vehicle. Water promotes oxidation and can gradually deteriorate the metal surfaces of the engine, radiator, and various components.

Since Vintage Cool 180° contains no water, Hawk states that it eliminates oxidation-based corrosion. This property is particularly beneficial for restored or classic cars, especially when they are driven infrequently and remain stationary for long periods between uses.

Reduced cavitation erosion also helps preserve metal surfaces. Hawk claims a 75% drop compared to water-based cooling fluids.

Reducing Steam Formation in Hot Areas of the Engine

In a running engine, certain areas of the cylinder head and block can reach temperatures significantly higher than those indicated by the vehicle’s temperature gauge. With a standard cooling fluid, water can boil locally in these areas and create vapor locks.

When steam temporarily replaces the liquid in contact with the metal, heat transfer becomes less efficient. This promotes the formation of localized hot spots that can contribute to overheating and increase the thermal stress placed on components such as the cylinder head gasket.

Thanks to its boiling point exceeding 180°C, Hawk Vintage Cool 180° significantly limits this phenomenon and allows the coolant to remain in contact with metal surfaces at very high temperatures.

Low pressure to protect older components

In a vehicle that is several years old, the pressure exerted on the cooling system is also a significant factor. Radiators, hoses, gaskets, and fittings may have designs that differ greatly from those used in a modern car.

Hawk reports that Vintage Cool 180° generates a 75% drop in vapor pressure compared to a water-based cooling fluid. This drop helps minimize the stress placed on hoses, gaskets, and other system components.

This feature is particularly valuable for faithful restorations or the preservation of historic vehicles, where certain original components may be rare or difficult to replace.

Warning: Vintage Cool is not compatible with thermosiphon systems

The Hawk Vintage Cool 180° must not be used in an engine with a thermosiphon cooling system. This technology is commonly found in certain very old automobiles.

The thermosiphon uses differences in temperature and density to naturally circulate fluid through the system. Before converting any classic vehicle, it is therefore essential to verify whether it uses forced circulation via a water pump or a thermosiphon system.

Vintage Cool, Classic Cool, or Power Cool: Which One Should You Choose?

The Hawk range allows you to adapt the waterless coolant to different generations of vehicles. Vintage Cool 180° is primarily suited for vehicles up to the 1950s and engines that use, in particular, pre-nodular cast iron, copper, and brass.

For a more recent classic car, generally from the 1950s to the 1980s, Classic Cool 180° is usually the best option. For a sports car, a tuned vehicle, or one equipped with a newer high-performance engine, Power Cool 180° is more suitable.

Engine technology and the materials used in the engine system always take precedence over the vehicle’s year of manufacture alone.

Why choose Vintage Cool 180° in a 25-liter container?

The 25-liter container is particularly well-suited to the needs of automotive restoration professionals, workshops specializing in historic vehicles, museums, collections, and owners of multiple classic cars.

It provides a large volume for performing multiple conversions or filling high-capacity cooling systems. The actual quantity needed must be determined based on the total volume of each vehicle’s cooling system.

Evans Vintage Cool Becomes Hawk Vintage Cool

Evans Waterless Coolants is now known as Hawk Waterless Coolants. The product previously marketed as Evans Vintage Cool 180° is now Hawk Vintage Cool 180°.

This change applies to the brand name only, not the formulation: the product remains unchanged. Users familiar with Evans Vintage Cool can now find this formulation under the Hawk brand.

GT2i is an official retailer of Hawk Waterless Coolants and offers the products needed to prepare and convert cooling systems to waterless technology.

FAQ - Hawk Vintage Cool 180° 25L for classic cars

For which cars is Hawk Vintage Cool 180° intended?
Vintage Cool 180° is designed for classic and historic vehicles, particularly those with pre-nodular cast iron engine blocks and numerous copper and brass components. Vehicles dating back to the 1950s serve as a useful reference point.

Why are engine materials important?
Older engines may use materials that are very different from those in newer cars. The Vintage Cool 180° is specifically formulated for older engines that use pre-nodular cast iron, copper, and brass.

What is the difference between Hawk Vintage Cool and Classic Cool?
Vintage Cool is intended for the oldest engines, with vehicles up to the 1950s serving as a reference point. Classic Cool is better suited for classic cars from approximately 1950 to 1980. The actual construction of the engine remains the primary factor in selecting the formulation.

Is Vintage Cool suitable for thermosiphon cooling?
No. Hawk explicitly states that Vintage Cool 180° is not suitable for engines using a thermosiphon cooling system.

What is the benefit of a water-free coolant for a classic car?
Removing water helps prevent oxidation-induced corrosion, cavitation, and vapor formation. These properties help preserve the components of older engines over the long term.

Should Prep Fluid be used before Vintage Cool?
Yes, if the engine contains or has contained a water-based coolant. Hawk Prep Fluid 5L helps remove residual water before filling with Vintage Cool 180°.

What quantity of water can remain after the conversion?
The residual water content should ideally be 3% or less. Checking with a refractometer verifies the quality of the conversion.

Can water be added to Vintage Cool 180°?
The product must never be intentionally diluted with water. Adding water reduces the benefits intended with a waterless system.

Why choose the 25-liter container?
The 25L size is particularly well-suited for restaurateurs, specialty garages, collectors, and professionals who regularly work on historic vehicles. It allows for multiple refills from a single container.

Are Evans Vintage Cool and Hawk Vintage Cool the same product?
Yes. Evans Waterless Coolants has become Hawk Waterless Coolants. The former Evans Vintage Cool 180° is now called Hawk Vintage Cool 180°. Its formulation remains unchanged.