QOTD: Would You Daily a Classic?
It’s a car-related desire most gearheads have had at some point in their driving years: holding the keys to a classic car. Whether that takes the form of a ’58 Impala, a flathead Ford, or the Gentleman Jim shown above, a good many of us have harbored a desire to own a vintage automobile.
Taking the thing out for a weekend cruise is a lot different than living with it on a daily basis, though. Here is today’s question: would you daily a classic?
For this exercise, we won’t place an exact year on the term “classic”; much like art, most of us simply know a classic when we see it. Additionally, let’s assume you’ll be dailying this thing either in a year-round sunny climate or during the warm months if you habitate in the snow belt.
Classic vehicles have their good and bad points. An example on the negative side of the ledger are, in fact, points. Most drivers today would have no idea how to set the points on an old ignition system, let alone operate a manual choke or properly work the throttle on a carbureted engine while trying to start the thing. On the other hand, while maintenance is a heckuva lot more frequent, most actual repairs can be handled with a BFH and good set of pliers.
You’ll be giving up creature comforts, too. Be sure to charge up your smartphone before leaving the house, as standard USB ports in a classic car are as rare as a drama-free Brexit. Cupholders will likely be AWOL, the glovebox made out of cardboard, and there’s a good chance of horsehair in the seats. The flip side of this is a refreshing simplicity; freed from the incessant beeps and bloops of nannies on a modern car, one can get back to the purity of simply driving.
Restomods don’t count, so don’t even think about it. A pure, unadulterated classic – would it ever be your daily?
[Image: seller]
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Back in the early aughts, my wife daily drove a '81 Malibu station wagon. It was actually reliable once I replaced the 305 with...another 305 ;) And fixed the burning transmission fluid problem - a bad vacuum sensor seal. Only thing I ever had to replace was the starter, which was like a 20 minute job and a $75 part. And for a while I daily drove my '86 Monte Carlo SS but the 355 was too much engine for the car. Rain was especially dangerous; making it feel like the rear end wanted to always swap locations with the front. Gas mileage was actually better than the stock 305, where the previous owner pulled the computer connection from the carb, making it go full rich all the time - derp!
I've had my 1989 Mustang GT convertible for 2 years now and I could probably daily it if I had to (once I get the top and windows to seal correctly first). But I wouldn't really want to. Having taken large part of it apart and/or seeing how it's put together, the protection in todays cars is obviously magnitudes better. With all the distracted driving today thanks to mobile phone use, even driving defensively is no safe bet. Plus, being spoiled with some solid newer cars (17 Golf for one) the wet noodle flex of the chassis (worsened by being a convertible) is not endearing for long stretches of time, neither is the lack of suspension tuning beyond "stiff springs, big (for the time) tires". Time and progress march on, a 40 year old design is just that, no matter how recently it was built. I enjoy my Mustang as an occasional throwback to my youth, riding around in cars (lots of Fords) from the 80's and early 90's. But everyday use would become tedious.