Ways To Make Your Classic Car Your Daily Driver

While a classic car is often more of a luxury than a practicality, many can still provide daily transportation for car owners. If you’re interested in driving your vintage ride more, learn these ways to make your classic car a daily driver below.

Ensure It’s Capable of Daily Driving

First, you must ensure the vehicle you want to drive regularly can become a daily vehicle. While many classic cars can perform just as well as modern vehicles with some new parts and some elbow grease, it’s not true for every vintage ride.

Some states even restrict how many miles a car of a certain age can drive in a year, so check with the DMV first. Ideally, the classic car should be in stable condition and isn’t so old that replacement parts aren’t challenging to find.

Give the Car a Full Maintenance Inspection

If your classic car passes the first test, give it a full-body inspection before using it for your daily commute. A professional should conduct the inspection, but if you’re familiar with the inner workings of automobiles, there are some basic things you can check yourself.

You should examine every part of your classic car, but some of the key areas to check include the following:

• Spark plugs
• Battery
• Starter and alternator
• Hoses and belts (radiator hose, fan belt, timing belt)
• Suspension components (shocks, mounts, springs)

All these parts need to be in good condition for you to regularly drive your classic car, so if any are near the breaking point, replace them immediately.

Restore the Classic Car

For most drivers, the best way to make your classic car a daily driver is to restore it. The old car will need more than a simple tune-up; it will likely require significant replacements and modifications to be road safe.

Remember, there are levels of car restoration—from simply making the car safe to drive to complete restorations that make it look brand-new again. Consider the restoration project required for your classic car; does it depend on your budget, or is it a matter of preference? Knowing which will aid the restoration process.

Give It Some Modern Upgrades

It may make some classic car purists cringe, but odds are a classic car will need modern improvements before it’s safe and ready to hit the road daily. Safety features are some of the most common modern upgrades that classic cars are missing, in addition to features like power steering and air conditioning.

Drivers often don’t want to change too much of their classic car, but if it’s going to be a functional vehicle instead of a collectible, it’ll need to get with the times regarding road safety.

At Ideal Classic Cars, you can buy all kinds of classic cars online in the USA, whether you’re looking for a daily driver or a renowned collectible. Shop our inventory online or contact our staff with any questions about our classic cars.