Can you daily drive a classic car? The idea seems great and it feels like it should be easy, yet there are practicalities to think about. Older vehicles can carry the weight of significant maintenance which can leave you wondering when and if you’re going to break down and driving them daily can have an impact on value.
This guide cuts through the romance to present the realities of choosing a classic for your daily commutes, offering insights for those thinking about how they can blend the passion and practicality of driving a vintage car every day.
Key Takeaways
- Driving a classic car daily is definitely a cool idea, but be ready for extra maintenance, fewer safety features, outdated comfort systems, and a thirstier fuel appetite.
- Daily driving can strain your classic’s engine, paint, bodywork, and value. Expect more frequent repairs and potential hits to resale price due to wear and tear but don’t be deterred. It’s really rewarding and fun to drive your classic vehicle every day!
- With some work, you can make a classic daily-drive ready. With weatherproofing and an engine upgrade to improve reliability and efficiency you can make your life much easier —but watch out for increased insurance costs and maintenance expenses.
Table of Contents
Navigating the Romance and Realities of Classic Cars as Daily Drivers
The idea of daily driving a classic car is amazing. It’s not just about the journey; it’s about making a statement, relishing in nostalgia, and standing out from the crowd of modern vehicles (plus it’s just a lot of fun!) However, practical considerations come with the irresistible allure of a vintage Mustang or classic pickup truck. Yes, you can drive a classic car every day, but the reality involves dealing with:
- More maintenance
- Fewer safety features
- Not-so-cool cooling, heating, and entertainment systems
- Classic muscle and luxury cars might guzzle gas like there’s no tomorrow.
Reliability and Maintenance Demands
Due to their age, older cars, especially carbureted cars, often require extra care and repairs. This could make them less reliable for daily driving. Daily driving your vintage beauty could speed up its wear, demanding more attention, maintenance, and frequent parts replacements such as power steering fluid.
It’s not just about oil changes and tire rotation. When caring for a classic car that you use every day, you have to keep tabs on important parts like the fuel pump to ensure it runs smoothly and safely. Finding the right parts for your classic can sometimes be a pain and can cost a pretty penny. But hey, isn’t keeping your classic in peak condition part of it?
Not many people have the opportunity to make a vintage car their everyday driver.
The Safety Equation
For any vehicle considered for daily driving, safety is paramount. Regrettably, classic cars often fall short in this aspect compared to today’s vehicles. Older vehicles, including classic pickups, lack many of the safety features we’re used to in modern cars, posing potential risks for daily drivers.
Classic cars usually don’t come with the safety features that we take for granted in modern cars, such as:
- Crumple zones
- Airbags
- Semi-autonomous accident avoidance
- Better visibility with fewer blind spots
- ABS (anti-lock braking system)
- Seat belts
- Collision avoidance
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Parking sensors
- Rearview mirror camera
- Engine diagnostics
- GPS and navigation
- Touchscreen display
However, all is not lost. With a bit of investment, you can:
- Add a three-point seat belt
- Put in anti-lock brakes
- Get a backup camera
- Upgrade the brakes and tires
- Re-engineer the steering, suspension, and brakes
- Install modern seats
After all, safety should never be compromised. Drive smart, pay attention, and stay off your phone and you can greatly reduce your percentage of getting into an accident.
Comfort and Convenience Factors
Beyond safety and reliability, comfort and convenience are also important considerations. Classic cars may have a unique charm, but they often lack the comfort and convenience of modern vehicles. While they usually have:
- factory air conditioning or aftermarket kits for cooling
- power steering
- power brakes
- power windows
- power seats
- advanced sound systems
they might not be as efficient and effective as the advanced technology in modern car systems.
The “in-car entertainment systems” in classic cars often leave much to be desired. The old-school entertainment systems that come with classics like a vintage Mustang just can’t compete with the fancy audio-visual tech and connectivity options you get in modern vehicles. But, to be honest, it’s fun to sometimes just have a tape player in your car. Feels different but that difference can be good and can connect you with the road and your drive in a way that doesn’t compare to driving a new car or truck.
And let’s not forget about the seats. Modern cars usually have comfy seats designed to reduce fatigue during long drives but you can always get a seat cushion for your ride. Classic cars might not have the same level of comfort and ergonomic design as the current models.
The Impact of Daily Driving on Your Classic Car’s Health
The health of a classic car can be compromised by daily driving. It puts more strain on the engine, making it more likely to get damaged and need more “fixing up”. The bodywork can also suffer, with shoddy bodywork becoming super obvious in curved or creased areas. And let’s not forget the impact on its value.
The increased wear and tear from daily driving a classic car can degrade its future resale value. It can also be worth it to fully enjoy your car while you own it!
Engine and Mechanical Stress
Daily usage of a classic car can exert extra stress on the following components, potentially causing issues:
- Engine
- Tires
- Belts
- Engine seals
- Tight-fitting engine components
- Transmission
It is important to be aware of these potential issues and take proper care of your classic car to ensure its longevity.
If you’re thinking of using ethanol fuel in your classic car, think again. Ethanol can damage the fuel system, making it rusty and causing swelling in filters, carb fuel bowls, and gas tanks. Yes, maintaining a classic car is not the same as maintaining a modern one. It requires more effort, more attention, and above all, more passion.
Bodywork and Rust Prevention
Frequent use can also cause wear and tear on your classic car’s bodywork. It’s exposed to the elements, and over time, this can lead to rust and damage to the bodywork. The materials that get rusty on classic cars are:
- Airborne pollutants
- Galvanized steel
- Aluminum
- Stainless steel
One of the most common bodywork issues you’ll see in classic cars that are driven every day is paint damage. To deal with this, you’ll need to wash, rinse, and wipe your car down regularly, use rust inhibitors or undercoat, and apply wax for extra protection.
After all, a classic car is a work of art, and like any classic vehicle, including vintage cars, it needs careful preservation.
Keeping the Value Intact
Maintaining the value of a classic car when used regularly can be challenging. Wear and tear is inevitable and can affect the car’s resale value. Using a classic car as your daily driver can make it harder to keep its value because of all the wear and tear it’ll go through.
Driving a classic car every day can wear it down and lower its future resale value. And here’s a tip – cars with lots of miles are usually not as cool and don’t sell for as much, even classic ones. So, while it’s tempting to take your classic out for a spin every day, be mindful of the miles you’re adding to it if your primary goal is just to sell it.
Adapting Your Classic for the Daily Drive
Having considered the pros and cons, you’ve decided to use your classic car for daily commuting. Great! With a few adaptations, you can make your classic car more suitable for everyday use. We’ll look at some key upgrades for safety and performance, along with tips to weatherproof your ride.
Upgrading for Safety and Performance
One of the first things you’ll need to do is to upgrade your classic car for safety and performance like converting from drum to disc brakes with replacement kits to enhance stopping power and safety.
Improving the suspension of a classic car can make a world of difference in how it handles. It gives you better control when taking corners, accelerating, and braking, which means less body roll and more stability. Overall, it just makes driving a lot more enjoyable.
Weatherproofing Your Ride
Another important step is to weatherproof your classic car. To keep your classic car in good shape for daily use, make sure it’s got all the fluids it needs, like antifreeze and wiper fluid. If you’re in a cold area, get some winter tires. And don’t forget to wash the underside regularly to keep salt from building up. To prevent rust and corrosion, use cavity wax and Fluidfilm. And when it’s not in use, cover it up with a high-quality car cover.
To keep your classic car cozy in extreme temperatures, consider using thermal barrier materials from Heatshield Products and felted mat insulation. These help keep the inside temperature steady, no matter what’s going on outside. Protecting your classic car from rust in the winter also involves using the right antifreeze, wiper fluid, and winter tires, washing it regularly, paying attention to any exposed metal, and polishing it with a protective layer.
Upgrading Your Engine
You might want to consider enhancing your classic car’s performance, reliability, and efficiency by upgrading its engine. The Ford Coyote Engine is a popular choice among classic car fans for its high performance and advanced engineering. Another powerful option is the Ford Predator engine, a 5.2-liter V8 engine known for its high-performance and supercharged power.
Kincer Chassis offers several engine options suitable for classic cars, including:
- Ford Coyote
- Predator
- Godzilla
- Cummins R2.8 Diesel
Upgrading your engine can make your classic car run better, be more reliable, and even use fuel more efficiently.
Insurance Implications for Daily-Driven Classics
Let’s shift the discussion to insurance. Using a classic car as a daily driver can have some implications on your insurance policy. Classic car insurance and regular auto insurance are quite different, and using your classic car every day could impact your eligibility for those specialized classic car insurance policies.
If you don’t meet the requirements for classic car insurance, you’ll need to get regular daily-driver auto insurance to cover your classic ride. Driving a classic car daily can also make your insurance costs go up because it adds more wear and tear and lowers the resale value. Also, some classic car insurance has strict mileage limits.
Balancing Passion with Practicality: Is a Classic Right for You?
The decision to use a classic car for daily commuting requires careful consideration. It’s about balancing your love for classic cars with practical considerations. Driving a classic car every day is cool because you get to enjoy its unique style and character all the time. But remember, you might have to spend more on modern upgrades, deal with more maintenance and repairs, and the safety features aren’t as advanced as modern cars.
Maintaining a classic car can incur higher costs than a modern one due to the difficulty in finding parts and the need for specialized knowledge. It can be like up to 20 percent of the classic car’s value for insurance and maintenance. On average, classic car owners might spend around $1,000 to $4,000 a year on fixing and upkeep, depending on how old the car is.
Some classic cars are more practical for daily driving than others, but don’t let that stop you. If you want to daily drive your classic, do it! It might take more work than a newer car but it can be much more satisfying.
Summary
The romance of driving a classic car daily is undeniable. Their elegance, the classic lines, the charm, and the sheer joy of driving a piece of history make them something we all dream about at some point. However, daily driving a classic car comes with its share of challenges, including higher maintenance demands, safety concerns, and potential comfort compromises.
With proper care, regular maintenance, and necessary upgrades, you can make your classic car a reliable, safe, and comfortable daily driver. But remember, it’s not just about the ride. It’s about preserving a piece of history and having the time of your life!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn my classic into a quality daily driver?
To turn your classic car into a quality daily driver, consider performing regular maintenance checks, upgrading crucial components such as the brakes, steering, and electrical system, and ensuring the vehicle’s overall reliability and comfort for daily use. Upgrading to disc brakes, power steering, air conditioning, and electronic ignition, and improving the suspension and lighting can significantly enhance the car’s performance and usability.
How often should a classic car be driven?
It’s best to drive a classic car at least once a month to keep it in good condition. Regular driving helps prevent issues from seals and rubber components drying out.
Can you drive a classic car long distance?
Yes, you can drive a classic car long distances, but be prepared for the lack of modern amenities like air conditioning and power steering, which can make long drives more physically demanding.
What are the maintenance demands of a classic car used daily?
Using a classic car daily might mean more frequent maintenance and repairs due to its age, with finding the right parts often being a challenge. Regular upkeep is essential for keeping it running smoothly.
What safety features are usually missing in classic cars?
Classic cars usually lack modern safety features such as airbags, ABS, collision avoidance, and blind spot monitoring, making them less safe compared to newer vehicles. Drive safely out there!
