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What's in Your Emergency Kit?

Rory Carroll

June 17, 2009

What's in Your Emergency Kit?

As you can imagine, Hagerty employs a lot of car people. Many have lived their entire adult lives with a compulsion to buy and drive old cars, and they were fortunate to find a workplace where they could be surrounded by like-minded people. Some had already amassed a small collection of classics by the time they were brought on board. With years of experience behind the wheel of collector cars, we've each been through our share of breakdowns; some of us have even been through a few tire-kicking, hair-pulling exhibitions.

Hopefully these experiences haven't been for naught, and we can chalk them up as life lessons. With that in mind, we asked a few of Hagerty's resident collector-car owners what items they keep in their vehicle to prevent future frustration. Let's take a look at those responses and see what we can learn about the owners and their cars.

If your standby item isn't on one of these lists, let us know about it in the comments.

Of course, the surest way to avoid roadside anguish is with a Hagerty Plus Membership.

Linda Austin - Vice President, Auto Insurance Sales and Service
1931 Ford Model A
1953 Chevrolet 3100

  • Cell phone (to contact someone that knows what they are doing)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Tools
  • Water/coolant mix
  • Oil
  • A rag & hand cleaner
     

Jonathan Klinger - PR Coordinator
1919 Ford Model T Pick-up
1964 Buick Electra 225

  • A spare coil
  • Fan belt
  • 3/4" wrench (to adjust the transmission bands)
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Flathead screw driver
  • Pliers

Note: Mr. Klinger readily admitted that this is his "dream emergency kit" as he currently doesn't carry one.

Cory Wade - Private Client Services Account Executive
1984 Porsche 944
1969 Volkswagen Transporter Westfalia

Davin Reckow - Parts Supply Specialist
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Station Wagon
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible

  • Zip ties
  • Duct tape
  • Crescent wrench
  • Channel Locks
  • Multi bit Screw driver
  • Paper Towels
  • Jumper cables
  • Fuses
  • Card board
  • Baby Wipes
  • Jerk Strap
  • Antifreeze
  • First aid kit
  • Rain Poncho
     

Jonathan Stein - Associate Publisher, Hagerty's magazine
1959 MGA Twin-Cam Coupe
1962 MGA 1600 Coupe

Always:

  • Cell Phone
  • Flashlight
  • Tire Gauge
  • Basic tools
  • Battery terminal cleaner
  • Battery terminal puller
  • Jack
  • Hand crank
  • Spare Tire
  • Fan Belt
  • 2 Quarts Oil
  • Brake fluid
  • Several rags
  • Hagerty Plus Card

Touring:

  • Fuel pump
  • Generator
  • Distributor caps and wires
  • Points, plugs, condenser
  • Gallon of water
  • Spare radiator hose
  • Spare radiator clamp

Adam Martin - Private Client Services Senior Manager
1968 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe

Rob Sass - Senior Manager, Media Services
1967 Jaguar E-Type Coupe
1963 Buick Riviera
1967 Maserati Mistral
1976 Porsche 912E

  • Points
  • Alternator
  • Fuel pump
  • Distributor cap
  • Fan belt
  • Tow rope
  • Jumper cables
  • Wrenches
  • Socket set
  • Flat fixer
  • Reflector triangle
  • Service manual

Comments

  1. Clifford-41' Willys

    Cell phone and Hagerty's number, i sound like an add.

  2. Norm Keesler Idaho

    2-Model A ford Sports Coupe, 31 model A ford pick-up, 49 Chrysler Saratoga,and a 49 Ford F-6 Farm truck. All the above plus small tool kit, tie wire, Duct Tape, reading glasses, first aide kit, and spare fan belt.

  3. Mechanic's wire, vise grips, nylon tie-wraps.

  4. I was surprised to see that only two people included fire extinguishers. You can't enter your vehicle in most car shows without one. Plus, you want to be ready to protect your prized vehicle if a fire erupts.

  5. Adrian Gutierrez

    I keep in my 1969 Mercedes 280SEL a spare set of points and condenser, about 10 ft of 14 gauge wire, a quart of engine and a quart of tranny oil, a large piece of cardboard under the trunk mat (to lay on) aside of some great items listed above.

  6. I have a ford 292 y-block so i carry a spare starter drive, i have also converted to electronic ignition so i carry a ford duraspark pick up and a GM 4 pin module, along with misc tools and small repair parts.....i would think that most other things that i might need would be available at any local parts store.

  7. All good stuff. I'd add to the various items: - ballast resistor - continuity light and/or meter - wire and alligator clips.

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