Five Modern Touches For Your Classic…

Driving a classic car is, let’s not lie, utterly brilliant. Today’s roads do not make for exciting vista. Instead, they are laden with Corollas and Insignias and, well, that’s a bit boring. To be in amongst all that, breaking up the visual and aural monotony with something bright, loud and exciting is wonderful. Driving classics is a way to truly enjoy the act of driving itself. It can turn a pop to the shops into an adventure. Or sunny summer’s morning commute into an event. Yep, driving classics is brill. But, does driving a classic mean we have to completely ignore the modern world and advances it has brought upon us? Of course not.

There are thousands of things – parts, additions, upgrades – on the market that we can adopt in our classics to make things that little bit better. We can make our classics safer, more comfortable and more reliable while not ridding them of the charms that made us fall so head over heels in love with them in the first place. But what modern equipment should you fit to your classic? There is a bewildering amount of stuff out there, and a lot of it can miss the mark. As such, we have picked five examples that your classic almost certainly needs to make it that bit more ‘2021’ without robbing anything away from its classic status.

1) Brakes 

Brake technology has moved on an awful lot in recent years, and aftermarket companies have responded well to the needs of classic car enthusiasts. Companies like EBC Brakes, for example, could well have off the shelf discs and pads to fit to your classic that will increase your stopping power significantly. There are companies that will re-line brake shoes with more modern, safer friction material. Failing all that, companies like Wilwood, Hi-Spec and others will sell complete off the shelf kits to convert your car to a more modern, multi-piston arrangement. Power, as they say, is nothing without control, and thus brakes should be your first stop. See what we did there?

2) Bluetooth and Speakers

Let’s be honest, it’s nice to have an original stereo, but there is no denying that originality doesn’t mean good. In fact, we’d go as far as to say old stereos are a bit rubbish. Speaker and stereo technology has moved on a lot over the last few decades, so it’s something we should capitalise on. But don’t think it’s going to mean you need to have garish, bright flashing lights coming out of your 1960s dashboard. Companies like Classic Car Stereos will hook you up with a period look head unit loaded with modern Bluetooth for modern phone connectivity, better amplification for crisper sound and all without ruining your car’s interior. As for speakers, the world is your oyster. Direct fit speakers are available for almost any car, so no more crackly Enya.

3) Air-Conditioning 

Summers seem to be getting warmer, and when combined with the already hot cabin of a classic car, it makes for an uncomfortable situation. So what about some air-conditioning? Even a new Nissan Micra has A/C so why shouldn’t you? It will mean you and your passengers are cool, calm and collected at all times. It will also make for a welcome escape during those long, hot summer days spent at car shows. It is a must, basically. And happily, it’s something that many companies have started offering for our older cars. The biggest player in the game is American company, Vintage Air. They can ship out a universal air-conditioning unit that will bolt up without too much difficulty. In fact, it’s the kind of thing you can fit yourself if you’re moderately confident on the spanners. It’s not cheap, mind, but think of the comfort it will afford. Can you put a price on that?

4) Power Steering

Another technology that has moved on is power steering. Originally it was the reserve of hydraulics, and while that’s still the case for many cars, there has been an advance in electric technologies. Cars like the Vauxhall Corsa for example, now have EPAS, which is an electric motor on the steering column that assists the rotation. It’s small, it’s light and it’s immensely transferrable. It’s a common thing to see fitted to classic Fords, Vauxhalls and other cars from the ‘before power everything’ times. Some fabrication will be required, but it’s a cheap thing to add. Or, if you want a more complete solution, companies like EasySteer will do it all for you. Gone will be the days of dreading low-speed manoeuvres.

5) Tyres

Modern tyres are of course a good, good thing. Better rubber compounds, better water dispersion technology, longer service life. Modern tyres are great. But they don’t work for everything. Some older cars have wheels much smaller, taller or narrower than anything the lads at Kwik Fit might be used to. So what does that mean? Old cars are destined to roll on aged, hard, failing rubber? Of course not. Many tyre manufacturers still offer rubber for older cars, but with the benefit of being made in a modern way. You don’t need to be relegated to ‘life in your hands’ cross-plys, for example. You can even get tyres that have the look of the original cross-ply, but that are in fact more modern and safer radials. Companies like Longstone Classic Tyres are laden with stock, and will almost certainly have something to suit your classic or vintage car, meaning you can drive with absolute confidence, and who doesn’t want that?