Safety modifications are being improved all the time when it comes to the new cars on the road but what about those old classic vehicles? In many cases, older cars were produced without seat belts which wouldn’t have been mandatory at the time and as such, there may be safety concerns about purchasing such a vehicle.
In many cases, safety can be enhanced and a lot of the work is very simple to carry out. If there are no seat belts in the car then the regulations won’t, at the moment, require you to have them fitted but this is a relatively simple task for a trained mechanic. Also, when the vehicles get older, do not forget to take care of the clear lenses that fade, get scratched and this way give dimmer light. You can replace the lights with the new ones, or restore the lights you’ve got by yourself (as an option, you can consider Sylvania headlight restoration kit). After all, proper lighting is always a must for safe drive.
Seat Belts and Windscreen
The practice may not be an expensive one either so when it comes to uprating those safety levels, the seat belts are a logical place to start.
As an additional investment, you could also consider the windscreen and all the glass in your vehicle. New screens are tougher and far less prone to shatter and although this may be a longer and more expensive task, the safety improvements are quite substantial.
Side Mirrors and Seat Covers
In addition, you may notice that your classic car was built without side mirrors. These are relatively new additions to the vehicle production industry but chances are that as soon as you get in that car, you’ll notice how much you rely on them.
Suitable spare mirrors are easy to find and they can range from the cheap, standalone glass versions to the complex and expensive electronic models.
In many cars of the 1960’s and 1970’s, vinyl seating was used and in some cases, bench seats were fitted as standard. Over the years, the vinyl can get worn and the driver may slide around at the wheel but once again, this is a relatively simple matter that can be addressed with replacement covers.
Brakes and Shock Absorbers
It may be a little more difficult to upgrade a classic car mechanically and it would certainly prove to be more expensive. Brakes can be a real issue in an older vehicle and they can be less reliable and more prone to breakdown than the systems used in the present day.
If your car doesn’t already have them fitted, consider switching to disc brakes at the front along with a power assist at the back. This will definitely make them safer and more efficient and while there is an initial cost involved, you should be able to recoup this over time as your brake system will be less prone to wear and tear or to complete breakdown.
The Most Popular Classic Cars in the USA
| YEAR | MAKE | MODEL | CHARACTERISTICS (carsdirect.com) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Chevy | Corvette | Debuting in 1953 as the first American two-seater sports car, the Corvette is the ultimate American sports car. |
| 1960 | Ford | Mustang | The Mustang is the second longest running production vehicle in Ford history. |
| 1969 | Dodge | Charger | The Dodge Charger was introduced in the 1966 model year, but the second generation is the one to be considered a true American classic car. |
| 1960's | Chevy | Camaro | An iconic vehicle, the Camaro was introduced as a competitor to Ford's Mustang. While the Camaro is still in production today, the 1960s models are the most collectible. |
| 1960's | Pontiac | GTO | Some consider the GTO to be the first real muscle car. |
| 1965 | Chevy | Impala | The 1965 model holds the industry record of selling over a million cars. |
| 1960's | Lincoln | Continental | Convertibles are especially popular with collectors. |
| 1950's | Chevy | Bel Air | It remains one of Chevy's most popular classic cars. |
| 1967 | Ford | Thunderbird | Of special interest to collectors is the 1967 model which was the first to offer a four door version—equipped with "suicide doors". |
| 1970 | Plymouth | Road Runner | A return to the no frills type of muscle car, the Road Runner is another popular American classic car. |
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Thanks for the info, just wanted to tell that sometimes it is a good idea to insvest some $$$ to switch to normal disc brakes (as I did on my old good 1955 'Cuda). When I switched to discs, I really noticed the difference, and from my own experience I'd recommend that brakes uprade to all vintage cars owners. After all, you invest into your own safety.
Thanks for the info, just wanted to tell that sometimes it is a good idea to insvest some $$$ to switch to normal disc brakes (as I did on my old good 1955 'Cuda). When I switched to discs, I really noticed the difference, and from my own experience I'd recommend that brakes uprade to all vintage cars owners. After all, you invest into your own safety.
