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5 Tips for Regularly Driving Your Vintage Car
Summer, and thus driving season, is currently in full swing for much of the country. Where I live in Northern Michigan is currently in the beautiful pocket of time where the mornings are cool yet bright and the sun only really gets hot in the middle of the afternoon. All of my cars love this weather, and I love driving just that little bit more. So I’m trying to drive as much as I can, and if you are doing the same, here are a handful of reminders for the times your vintage ride gets called up into more routine service.
Before we dive in though, it’s worth mentioning that old cars were once new cars. Someone drove and treated my Chevrolet Corvair the way I currently behave while behind the wheel of my wife’s Jeep Renegade—a daily driver. Traffic 30, 40, or even 90 years ago was radically different than traffic today, and many of our common-sense habits have shifted meaning to the point that what makes total sense for you in your old car will look insane to a common road user. While old cars require an additional amount of care and attention to be used regularly, driving your car is the best thing you can do for it. Don’t be scared of using the car exactly how it was intended.
Old cars have old brakes
It’s easy to get lured into driving like those around you, but be careful. Without notice, you’ll find yourself tailgating at the same distance as the modern cars, and when that line of cars taps the brakes, suddenly the concept of 5-mph bumpers doesn’t seem so comical.
Vintage brakes can be made to work very well with a bit of care and attention, but even I have to admit vintage designs and materials just cannot compare to modern brakes—that is before even mentioning driver assist systems like anti-lock braking or emergency braking. Give yourself plenty of room.
Check your fluids often
Modern cars have spoiled us with the ability to drive thousands of miles without opening the hood. Regardless of how you feel about the separation between driver and mechanic over time, driving your vintage car on more than just a couple weekends a month requires staying on top of topping of fluids.
Old engines can and often do consume oil at a rate much higher than modern engines. Add in even just a small leak and suddenly the bottom of the dipstick is bone dry and before long, so is the oil pickup. Engine oil also helps cool an engine, so keeping oil topped up helps for multiple reasons beyond just proper lubrication. Also keep an eye on brake fluid and coolant.
Get used to the gauges
Modern car gauges are “normalized,” meaning that they often will be basically stationary while driving despite slight fluctuation in the pressures, temperatures, and levels they monitor. On older cars, a coolant temp gauge might rise slightly when caught at a long stoplight, but it might not actually be a cause for concern. Most automotive engines operate best when coolant temps are between 180 and 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Modern gauges will be stationary for that entire range, but an old-school mechanical gauge will transmit everything. This means coolant temp could drop slightly when you turn on the heater, or increase some with long periods of idling or while an air conditioner is cycling.
Make your escape plans
Even in great condition, aging cars can and do break down. Think through what common failures might occur with your car and formulate a plan for how you will handle the situation. This can mean packing a tool kit, re-upping your roadside assistance membership, or choosing routes and times of day that will help ensure you have a smooth trip. Some vintage cars will have zero trouble in modern traffic, but if yours tends to overheat or get cranky sitting still, make sure that you scout an escape route, should you get snarled in traffic. Being stuck on the side of the road is infinitely better than being stuck in the middle of the road. Trust me. There are a few roads around town that I avoid in my vintage cars due to the lack of shoulder or safe place to veer off. Paranoid? Maybe a little, but I don’t want to get hit while sitting on the side of the road.
Be aware of your tires
Modern tires are downright amazing and often go underappreciated. Since vintage cars get less mileage than their modern counterparts, a lot more people are willing to drive on older or poor-condition tires, sometimes out of pure ignorance or from lack of inspection. Tread depth and age are big considerations, but if you’re running modern reproductions of older tire designs, there is also the way those tires handle water. Siping and water control have a huge impact on handling and braking. You might have brand-new tires, but if the design is 50 years old, they are going to handle that way. Again, not a bad thing, but something to adjust to.
Gaaaahhhhh – it’s Sajeev’s Houston Nightmare Freeway Photo! I had almost wiped it from my memory banks!
Anyway, these are common sense pointers – thanks Kyle.
I saw the highway photo while looking through our media gallery and since I had to see it, you had to see it too. There’s rules.
Sometimes the rules say that you must place warning notices at the beginning of things to alert the audience that there are “disturbing images” in the content – especially when they can be extremely damaging to the psyche! 😜
If I have to experience this dystopian nightmare to get anywhere from my house, you have to see it several times a year on your screen. That’s the contract you signed when you started reading my work. 🙂
Darned fine print…
Didn’t that contract also say we’d get an occasional Project Valentino update to counterbalance the highway shock-shot?
Yes, and I am working on that.
Seriously.
For real this time.
Gah, I left that nightmare scenario behind me in 2018. I still visit the dystopian nightmare a few times a year to visit family, friends and the Lexus dealer. But I always leave it behind me at the end!
This photo of a multi-laned highway is absolutely normal on any business day on the busiest highway in North America. That highway is the 401 that runs from Windsor Ontario, London, Waterloo, Toronto and on to the Quebec border. Dead stopped vehicles for 10 miles, across six lanes is not uncommon.
Good observation. There needs to be immediate plans to figure out what to do with the countries’ highways. All are jammed most of the time
Don’t us Ontarians know it! I live in the GTA and have hardly touched that highway for the last 20 years! We have the worst traffic in North America. I’d rather drive in New York than T.O.!
There’s a photo of 401 where it’s 22 lanes wide. I think it’s at Morningside Avenue in the east end of Toronto. Some days it’s mostly stopped in one direction or the other.
That’s nothing
The 401 in Toronto is jammed all day
Eastbound and westbound express and collector lanes
Busiest highway in North America
Where is everybody going???
It’s exacerbated by being the major truck route to and from the western United States to Quebec and points east. It’s like all the trucks between New England and the US south east were confined to one highway.
My dad used to say that 60 years ago driving around Atlanta GA.
This looks like a “normal” weekday “Rush Hour,” don’t ask me why they call it “Rush,” in Chicago and surrounding close in suburbs! it gets worse every year!
Because EVERYONE is in a “RUSH” to get home from WORK! Woila! You’re Welcome!
Adding disc brakes to my 60 Chrysler made it much morecomfortable to drive in modern traffic.
I agree! I added disc brakes all around on my 57 Bird. I also added electric power brake assist (no room for a vacuum power booster).
Should change get used to the gauges to get used to the lights. Many cars just have lights.
The key is to learn to drive with in the cars limits or know your limits. It is not all that hard as they are not all that different.
As for tires get to the point. Put on a set of new radial tires and the car will drive much better.
There are exceptions. My TR3A was almost impossible to steer with brand new radials. Took both hands pulling very hard when stopped to get any tire movement. Almost the same when underway. Checked everything, steering wheel was easy when on the lift and even the alignment shop could not figure it out. Put on a set of bias ply tires and the car is now a joy to drive.
Same with my Studebaker Lark V8. Bought it with 215 (should be 195) R 15 radials on it and it was a brute to steer, pounded the pavement horribly, even with reduced pressures (which made the steering worse!).
Switched to quality 6.70 x 15 bias plies and the steering feels like it is powered, the ride is smooth and almost all the symptomatic hardtop rattles disappeared! The front suspension is in good shape, so hardly any ” road wander” problems.
I think gauges with idiot lights would be a great thing for a guy like me with ADD!
Daily driving a classic car sounds great in concept, but reality for most is not so sanguine. I think for most classic car owners “daily” use really means occasionally driving a classic car to work, go to the gym, or to run a few errands, when the weather is decent and you can avoid the worst of traffic congestion.
But using a classic car as your one and only/main mode of transportation all year-round…different kettle of fish entirely. Much depends on where you live and the climate – big metropolis or smaller town, SoCal or New England, etc, not to mention the availability of a good repair shop, or your ability/inclination to DIY.
The truth is, true daily driving an old car (or truck) is a real commitment that few are willing to make.
As with all things in life, moderation is the key. I try to drive my 79 MGB V8 restomod to work at least once a week (weather permitting). That’s really the best way to keep the fluids moving, identify squawks, and get a few bugs in my teeth because I can’t stop smiling on those beautiful days.
Agree!
Just don’t forget to look under it to check the oil.
He’s swapped out the original engine for a V-8. Those tend to not have the British automatic oil change feature.
Doesn’t apply to old British cars. How do you differentiate between regular oil patterns on the floor and new leaks?
I drive my 68 Cougar XR7 several times a week, year round because it in large part, it is reliable and fun. Florida car. When I lived up north, never drove in snow or when wet.
Depends how old. I’ve put 90K over the last 10 years on a 92 Pontiac Formula. I think most would consider that a classic by now. It has around 230K and in that time the only failure has been the fuel pump died about 5 years ago. I drive it as my primary car all but the 3 months of salt season. I bought it for nostalgia, my first new car was a 92 Firebird, but it quickly became my daily driver when it proved so reliable. It handles traffic, 100 degree heat, and anything I’ve thrown at it with ease.
I would definitely consider your car a classic now. But there is a difference between your car which has relatively wide, sticky tires, 4 wheel disk anti lock brakes, fuel injection and probably an air bag compared to a 67 Chevelle with skinny 14 inch tires, 4 wheel drum brakes, lap belt seat belt only and a carb that is fussy in cold weather.
My thoughts exactly. My Nissan Hardbody is my primary ride, putting roughly 10k mi/yr on it. Being a former mechanic, I find its maintenance fairly minimal. And coincidentally, I replaced the pump 5-6 years ago (it was intermittent when 20’F). Being an old (older?) truck, the 2 issues I really need to watch is, not having ABS and little traction in snow…well at least when the bed is empty.
Has anyone (like Hagerty) ever developed a list of auto repair garages that work on classic vehicles? Kind of like an “Angie’s List” for classic cars. I could see where this would be very valuable, particularly when traveling out of your local area, Just think about how convenient if it could be accessed through your Hagerty app.
100% AGREE with the thought , Hagerty are you listening??
great idea!
That would be great! On my local Craigslist, a fellow is searching for a reputable restoration shop for a 1st generation Camaro. Guess they’re getting harder to find.
I’ve recently contacted 3 shops in S.E. Michigan for some help tuning my ’69 Mustang’s carb and they’re all swamped with work. 2 said I could make an appointment for a couple months down the road and the third never got back to me… So, finding a shop that can work on your classic car NOW may be impossible.
Believe it or not Rick, I am working on exactly that. It is in the early stages, but web development has begun. The website is http://www.classicmechanix.com Right now, the website is just a placeholder, but hopefully over the summer, content will be coming soon.
I used my ’68 F250 highboy as a daily driver as long as it isn’t raining so maybe isn’t truly a daily driver, but it has no problem going any where any time.
i still love to drive my 1989 s-10 chevy truck only on clear days ,and not that often .the feel of classic is great.
Has anyone (like Hagerty) ever developed a list of auto repair garages that work on classic vehicles? Kind of like an “Angie’s List” for classic cars. I could see where this would be very valuable, particularly when traveling out of your local area, Just think about how convenient if it could be accessed through your Hagerty app.
It is great to drive my 1985 celica gts convertible thru the foothills of the Ozarks about 10 months of the year.
The answer ,of course , is to drive a Fleet of old cars daily . This is the most fun . If you had 25 oldies and maybe 6 motorcycles , odds are you might have 2 runners and a bike to get to work .
As aptly noted in the above story , i stay away from any route where i couldn’t coast to the side of the road . Most things that’ll kill your jalopi suddenly are easy fixes . The hot wire wiggled off the coil , the coil wire wiggled off the diz , the thermostat ( we don’t need such hinderances in texas ) stuck . I give myself a 20 minuite shift start old car commute contingency which i’ll use for a 10% alcohol regular car slow death gas top off if i make it . It’s at least 9000 x more fun , not to mention how happy you are to get the spin spin instead of the click click after you’re done for the day .Or the apprehension while you wait for the fuel pump to fill up the bowl cuz you evaporated while at work and got a no startie. C’mon that’s FUN , remember stick you’re tongue out left when cranking , right when lugging up steep hill .
I subscribe to this philosophy…
I have 3 Fiats ranging from a ’66 500 to a ’70 124 coupe that all fit in my 2 car garage. I typically have 1 in driving condition at any time, and I drive one every day that the weather and absence of road salt permit. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contrary to the fix-it-again-Tony reputation, they are all very reliable. The reason 1 or 2 are out of commission on any given day is almost always because I am so slow at doing preventive maintenance and making improvements not because of anything breaking down.
‘68 Saab 96 V4 Deluxe here. <60k original miles. Barn find. Daily driver until it gets above 100 here in Kansas. Always fixing bits, but worth it. These cars were rally monsters in their day and nothing drives quite like an old Saab. Huge quirky 4-speed on the column fun.
Excellent points, Kyle–and my admiration for constantly coming up with new content! I’ve begun to plan each old car excursion exactly as you described: Am I prepared? Escape routes? Roads with less high-speed traffic? and YES, my old brakes do NOT stop anywhere nearly as safely/quickly as modern brakes, and I must plan for that! One other thing (likely from being an old helicopter pilot)…I tend to go through what I’m going to do if scenarios A, B, C or D happen. Flat tire? (my spare is inflated & I have the tools) Overheating? These are my getaway routes and have several quarts of coolant onboard–as well as spare hoses. REALLY broken down? Son’s cellphone # and the Hagerty phone numbers on my insurance card handy!
I don’t have a spare tire, so I make sure I stay out of the gutter and always have good tires. I do have a good plug kit. Definitely risky, but I can only fit so much in the trunk of a 79 Camaro…
I am waiting until I can find a good matching Keystone Klassic to match the others to make it worth the loss of storage space and to carry the extra weight… lol
At least you won’t have to autorotate and scan for power lines if your car develops a problem!
Great reminders! I automatically adjust my driving habits when taking my 1985 Mustang GT H.O. out for a spin versus my 2017 Mustang GT with PP1. Braking distance is definitely the main adjustment! Fortunately, I have many nice low volume back roads close to home, so that provides a nice way to REALLY enjoy the drive! Funny to recall how “good” the ‘85 was back in the day!
Adding to the tire discussion, pay attention to the age of the tires. Over six years, think about replacement. Ten years? Get rid of them! Regardless of tread depth, tires do age. Along the freeways, you can see strips of rubber from blown tires. These are mostly from trailers and Vs running old tires. Blowing an old tire in any vehicle is not fun. In a classic, even less fun.
Newer tires have a code/number stamped on them that shows when they were made. That is how you can tell if the tires need replacing regardless of the amount of tread left on them. Five years is maximum safety margin.
After a nightmare delay, (stuck between Connecticut and Virginia, somewhere in Pennsylvania) I had on a long road trip I had a few years ago, I am considering keeping a spare fuel pump in my 79 Camaro. I had several parts stores near me, but none of them had the correct fuel pump in stock, and being a Saturday, I was stuck in a jam. To get moving, I ended up making a smaller pump work and installed the correct one when I got home. I never would have thought it would be difficult to get a fuel pump for a 350 Chevy small block…
Over the years I have had to replace the fuel pump a few times. I believe it is from the gasohol we use these days. My car’s fuel tank and all the lines were replaced, so it isn’t from debris in the fuel system… It seems like good insurance, so yeah, I am going to do it. Thanks for the article, it reminded me & it has me thinking. It will be like a cheap roadside insurance.
I drive my ‘50 Plymouth Deluxe as often as possible in summer months, both in the city and on the highway. I have a good mechanic who goes over the car once a year, changing or topping up fluids as needed, checking brakes and tires, suspension etc. and I usually check the oil and coolant myself before each trip. I also keep the Hagerty emergency phone number handy in the glove box, just in case. So far, after eleven years of ownership this has worked out very well.