seems like you'd have to absolutely love working on cars and not be super concerned with punctuality (or have a second car) to make this work.

ac04 said:

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seems like you'd have to absolutely love working on cars and not be super concerned with punctuality (or have a second car) to make this work.

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The only way it works is with a backup vehicle

Resto Mod is what you want

What do you mean by classic car?

I was using an 88 F150 as a daily but would agree with everyone here on needing a cheap backup.

It's been on jacks waiting for the rear diff to be replaced and finished. As soon as it's ready to go again, it will be the daily driver. Love the truck enough to keep it around.

I drove a 60s Mustang daily as recently as about 2002. When driven daily they're much more reliable than when they're just weekend toys.

Big engine failures like seized main bearings or manual transmission issues are rare and wouldn't be a worry for me. It's the water pumps, alternators, carburetors, radiators, fuel pumps, clutches, brakes, window regulators, etc. that you have to be comfortable fixing yourself. They generally won't fail without notice so being stranded by one of them is unlikely if you don't let things go too long.

These are technically classic cars…

I've been driving the 76 Luv daily for 6 months now. It's a blast. Then again work is 7 minutes away. Sometimes I leave early and just let the pickup truck wander around.

I daily an 88 Volvo 240. Its currently broken (doing a standalone ecu) but has been extremely reliable for me. For the last 3 years I had a 90 mile a day commute. 5 months ago I changed jobs and now I drive 12 miles a day. Currently riding a motorcycle while I take my time to do the microsquirt ecu and do a lot of gaskets and vacuum hose maintenance.

I'd say you really need to have some basic mechanic-ing skills. Things will break. These cars broke down when they were new, and they still break down today. The difference is that most of the time the fix is simple and cheap and does not involve a computer.

Safety will not be as good as just about any modern car. That includes abs, traction control, mayne even disc brakes, etc.

One thing that makes driving these old cars reasonable is to have functional AC (vintage air kits are great) and at least electronic ignition. Points are a pain. Electronic ignition makes the car start and idle so much easier, especially when cold.

I'd also say that a full fuel injection setup is the ultimate in an old car. Holley makes full replacement kits (Holley Sniper) for fuel and ignition if you are using any engine that can take a regular 4bbl carb.

I believe the traditional definition of a classic is a car 25 years old. That means '98 or older.

That also means my Tundra work truck will soon be a classic…

As much as I've seen on here about newer rides in the shop for warranty problems, I'd say you won't experience anymore punctual issues than you would with a new ride. But I do agree, be prepared to have to swap an alternator or power steering pump, etc in the evenings at random times. I'd work it in the budget to buy something and the cost to go ahead and replace some of the wear and tear items immediately.

I drive a 1997 F250 7.3. Had 160k miles when I got it. It had about 5000 miles put on it in two years from previous owner. I'm the third owner. Had transmission rebuilt first thing (factored into price when I bought it) Then came the vacuum pump. Then the power steering pump and then the alternator and then brakes all around. It now has 200k on it and not a single issue since that first month or two. When it sat, things deteriorated I guess and the daily running caused some failures. But after all those things have been replaced and the consistency of it running, it's been lights out. And I'm all in for about 25% of the cost of a new one with another 300k miles to go.

I will admit, it can be a beating driving it daily at first after being in a modern vehicle but you get used to it and the nostalgia factor never goes away. And don't be in a hurry to get anywhere.

Sitting unused is the worst thing you can do for a car.

This video changed my opinion of driving a classic car:

aggieforester05 said:

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This video changed my opinion of driving a classic car:

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My daughter thinks she wants to a square body Chevy for her 16th birthday.

She's probably getting a used Lexus 5 Door.

Are we talking a 98 Firebird or a 71 Chevelle? Both are classics.

aggieforester05 said:

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This video changed my opinion of driving a classic car:

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Just don't crash.

aggieforester05 said:

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This video changed my opinion of driving a classic car:

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I've been driving for almost 40 years and have never been in anything remotely like that accident.

Doesn't mean it can't happen. I could also get T-Boned by an 18 wheeler. I've still driving a 2-seat convertible.

But I won't ride a motorcycle again.

Everything in life is a calculated risk.

Commuting in a '65 Mustang is not a death sentence -- but probably not a good idea to put your 16 year old in one.

drumboy said:

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Are we talking a 98 Firebird or a 71 Chevelle? Both are classics.

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This is probably saddest post and realization I've ever seen on all of texags.

Not a lot that hasn't already been said but I've owned both decades of vehicles. I had a 1970 442 and a 1985 F150.

1.). Remember that these vehicles are as reliable now as they were when they were built. Maintenance intervals are much shorter and they must be followed. I'm not talking about the man bun wearing dude with a 2023 Chevy Camaro SS that thinks he hit the big time because he added washer fluid and checked the tire pressure. Get a shop manual for your classic and learn it. Get handy. This is where the shade tree mechanic cuts his teeth. Valves, water pumps, plugs, points, carburetor adjustments, etc.

2.). They don't make em like they used to and we should all be thankful for that. Along with everything above, be aware of the complete lack of safety features on a classic by todays standards. I loved my 442, but on a damp road youll lose traction going forward and if you have to panic stop and you stab the brakes, that big ***** will lock all four wheels up and you'll slide Detroit's finest into the guy in front and probably take out the next 3 cars. So, be smart.

My 1985 F150 was relatively trouble free as was my Olds but I jacked with them pretty regularly. They are nothing like todays cars where you just drive it home and don't do jack crap for 50,000 miles except drive it.

I know the recent threads imply current vehicles aren't reliable but the fact is that's a skewed data point. I have 408,000 miles on my 2002 truck and I've done an intake, water pump, brakes and tires, and she just now might have an AC leak.

As the joke goes:

In 1970 the owner manual explains how to adjust valves, today, the owner manual tells you not to stick your hand in the engine while it's running and it has covers on everything that might be serviceable. We've come a long way with technology but also gotten a lot dumber because of it.

Just manage your expectations and you'll be fine.

If you walk up to a piece of equipment and this sticker doesn't immediately command your respect, you should be taken out of the gene pool!

I'm commuting in an '87 mercedes diesel right now. I was driving a '95 corvette a few years ago.

Not mentioned yet is the benefit of cost. It will be cheaper to buy a 1975 F150 off of facebook, drive it 200,000 miles, and use a mechanic for each and every repair than it will be to buy a new one for $70k.

Is the OP's user name a reference to this:

If so, then yes, you are mad.

Trinity Ag said:

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aggieforester05 said:

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This video changed my opinion of driving a classic car:

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I've been driving for almost 40 years and have never been in anything remotely like that accident.

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Judging by the fact that you're still alive, that is fairly obvious.

"I haven't been killed in a classic car" is such a nothing statement... New cars are drastically safer. That's why the rate of deaths per vehicle miles is like a third of what it was in the 1970's.