If you’ve bought a second-hand car, either because it’s more financially viable or because you have fallen in love with a classic car, then you might be aware that it doesn’t quite have the functionality or all of the appeal that a modern car brings. Since you can make plenty of savings by buying a second-hand ride, then you might be able to afford some of the upgrades that can help it live up to your modern standards. Here, we’re going to look closer at some of the upgrades that may be worth your time.
Let there be light
One of the aspects of classic cars that can surprise a lot of people who buy them is the brightness of the lights. After all, if you’re test-driving the vehicle during the day, then you might not have the opportunity or reason to turn those lights on, meaning you might not see that classic car tend to have duller lights than their modern counterparts. It doesn’t take a lot of work to replace the lights in a classic car and to aim them to that they cover more of the road ahead. In fact, if the lights themselves are okay, then you can aim and adjust the lights in the comfort of your own garage, you are not likely to need a mechanic.
Them’s the brakes
If a classic car has come down from a previous owner who used and updated it frequently, then there is a very good chance that they have already replaced the brakes. If not, then you may well want to do that yourself. Replacing the brakes on your older vehicle will add real stopping power. Aside from the brakes themselves, you can make sure that your car stops more safely with a higher quality tyre. Where the rubber meets the road and where the metal meets the rubber are the two points you should focus on the most.
Introduce the power of electrics
Classic cars can also often come with classic ignition systems, which tend to be the contact points style. However, contact point ignitions weaken over time. If you want to avoid the hassle of having to find replacement parts more often, then you may want to invest in an electronic ignition system instead. This can also improve elements of the car’s performance, including its fuel consumption, reducing the costs of driving your car by no small measure, as well as its reliability on the road.
Add a little more “you” to the vehicle
You might love the look of your older car, already, but adding a touch of personality and individuality can help you fall in love with it even more. There are plenty of ways to improve the look of your car, with a new coat of paint being one option that can be pretty budget heavy. You can get cheap number plates a lot more easily, however. You can give your car a mark that really indicates that it’s yours and, if you love the plates enough, you can even transfer them to whatever car you drive after, too.
Switch out the seats
Sometimes, the comfort of the driving experience can matter just as much as how reliable the vehicle is. If your car isn’t comfortable, then it can certainly be harder to fall in love with it. As such, you might want to get your car seats reupholstered if you’re having trouble enjoying being behind the wheel. The material of the seat covers as well as the padding beneath can both be important for the comfort of the drive, which becomes even more important if you have to commute regularly or if you ever drive longer distances in your car.
Back it up
It’s not just the comfort, aesthetic, or driving experience of the car that can make classics fall a little behind the more modern options. The safety that they offer is well worth considering in particular. There are a lot of safety upgrades that you can make to an older car, but installing a backup camera is one of the easiest to fit into a classic car. This way, you can make sure that you’re more aware of your surroundings when on the road, helping you drive defensively, and it can really improve your parking efforts, too.
Which upgrades are most important to you will be decided by what your classic car is currently lacking, as well as which you prioritise most. Think carefully about what you can add to your car and follow the tips above.