It’s hard to resist the pleasure of driving a true classic car. With the roar of its engine, the unique nostalgic look, and the pleasure of knowing you’re one of the few people driving the car, driving a classic is heaven for many automotive enthusiasts. While there is certainly great pleasure to be had by driving the car, it is not without its share of problems and dangers that you will not find with newer cars. Even if you use your Plymouth automotive repair manual to keep the vehicle perfectly maintained, even if Dodge auto repair manuals from the 1960s claim they are the safest vehicle on the road, and even if you feel safe inside the large frame of the vehicle, the lack of modern technologies make many of these old vehicles a death trap of sorts.

Safety features like rollover protection, power steering and suspension, anti-lock brakes, crumple zones, and even seat belts are not available in older vehicles. These features save countless people in auto accidents each year yet they are nonexistent in older vehicles. In the US, many experts are firmly against driving classic cars on normal roads and freeways and some areas have actually completely banned people without the appropriate safety protection from driving on public roads.

To make matters worse, many classic car hobbyists are strongly against installing seat belts with modern technology into older vehicles that did not include seat belts. These people argue that the seat belts ruin the authenticity of the vehicle, and go so far as to deduct point from cars at car shows that have had seat belts installed. Having said that, unless you are planning to compete at the most competitive car shows in the country, having a seat belt is far safer (and more legal in most places) then not having one, and is strongly advised in most places. They even make them to look like they belong in old cars while still offering the protection of modern seat belts. This lets you maintain the cool look that you have worked hard to create without sacrificing your safety.

Keeping your car well maintained, installing new tires that greatly improve handling, and avoiding driving in unsafe conditions are all also recommended for drivers of classic cars. While features like crumple zones, power steering, and anti-lock brakes are not possible to install on old vehicles with ease, you should aim to take every precaution that you can. After all, if you have already put a lot of work into creating your dream car, why risk the car and your life by not investing in keeping it safe?

Owning and maintaining classic cars is an amazingly rewarding and generally safe hobby. For the most part, very few classic vehicles are actually involved in accidents and the hobby is certainly safer then extreme sports and other dangerous activities. However, always remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry when it come to driving. You’ll live longer and have more time to enjoy that car you’ve worked so hard on.

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Category: Automotive
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