Can you daily drive a classic and why?

In this video, I cover a lot bases in myths or reality on how classic cars drive differently than modern cars and where you may want to focus on upgrades if you decide you want to use a classic car for what it was intended, which is driving.
0:00 Introduction
2:05 Reliability
4:30 Freeway Driving
7:38 Inclement weather and low visibility driving
11:26 City Driving
13:49 Safety
17:54 Closing thoughts

Check the video out if you'd want to know more about driving a classic car, and ask any questions you have in the comments below!

[stevek]

Of course you can daily drive a classic car. They did in 1969.

[donthompson]

Of course you can. My 66 mustang has over 300k miles on it. It was my daily driver up until water leaks got the best of it not that long ago. In April of 2021 I tore it down for needed repairs. When finished I intend to continue driving it. Did i mention I’ve owned it 50 years, and drag race it too. It has been and will continue to be a great ride.

[johnrunciman]

I have owned a 67 Mustang for 40 years and driven it daily some summers. I agree with all the points you made. Looking back at my own experience, I would say that my brake upgrade (to front disks) and headlight upgrade are the two that were absolutely necessary for modern driving. Both of these systems were totally inadequate for current driving conditions. One additional note I thought you might mention is how unprotected these old cars are. Bumpers need only a gentle push from another car to be distroyed. Most drivers don't appreciate the damage they can do by simply nudging your classic in a parking lot.

[danielkerekes]

The thing that bothers me is parking. I’m always worrying that it gets stolen or vandalized.

[cocainium]

Ive been driving classic cars since i was 16 the newest vehicle Ive owned is from 1991. people have always said to me that "your cars must be unreliable" or "must be annoying to not have modern amenities", but its not in the slightest . I can see if someone said getting parts for them is hard but this is why I only daily drive my vehicles that have easy to find parts, or have spares on hand of the harder to find parts that may go out. And i prefer less amenities, only thing to pay attention to is the sound of the cars and the road.

[WatchGeek]

I want one so bad!! I would drive it on weekends when the weather is nice.
The noises are one of the reasons i want one 😂

[SKA]

I am a lady who drives a Ford MAverick 302 1973. I live in the country on the pacific coast. It does not snow, we have no freeways and I never need air conditioning. It took a while to get my car to daily driving material. I had the brakes converted, installed a heater core, rebuilt the trasmission etc etc. However, now I am driving it daily and I friggin love it.

[denniswashburn]

I have been daily driving my 1965 Shelby GT350 tribute since 2006 up until January of 2021, my car has been undergoing partial restoration and should be done soon. It will, once again serve as a daily when finished. Yes, you can drive one daily and be just as reliable as any new car.

[moefitzgerald]

I have daily driven a 1965 Dodge Dart for the past 6 years and have put roughly 58, 000 miles on it. It has the 225 Slant Six. Great, reliable engine. It has never let me stranded and has been turn key and always starts every time. However. They do require a lot of work. Keep in mind these cars are 50+ years old. Some parts of the car have worn out over the years and will need to be replaced. Recent projects would include adjusting the valves, adjusting timing and air/ fuel ratio. (Trying to get better mpg cuz gas is expensive rn. I get 18-20mpg after adjustment) next project is the upper ball joints are worn and shocks need to be replaced. Torsion bars need to be adjusted as well. My car most likely was restored in the 1990’s so many parts since then have worn. Sometimes I have to set aside weekends to work on the car so I can drive to work on Mondays. It does take up your time doing repair work and you have to be willing to work on the car yourself. Sending it to a shop every time will eat away your moneyzzz. Buying the parts and doing it yourself is the best option. Not having ABS or Traction Control is sketchy. I find my car sliding on rainy days often, brakes will lock up in hard applications and brake fade is a real thing. You HAVE to be a passive driver!!!! Also taking trips to higher altitudes, prepare for a loss of power. I feel I lose 1/3 power going up in high altitudes. Regardless, I’ve had so much fun daily driving my Dodge and have completed many road trips in it with no problem. My record is driving 486 miles in a day. It’s a completely different experience than any modern car and has been absolutely worth it.

[Contractnik]

I daily drove my "Shelbyized" 65 fastback Mustang in Los Angeles for two years while at USC and LOVED it. Especially downtown when the surface streets were clear. SO much fun. Totally reliable.

[robertzenniful]

Great video, I drove my 68 Firebird 400 for eight years as a daily driver in south Florida, and at least two or three times a week I would drive from South Beach Miami to Boca Raton Florida without any issues.
I truly believe the more you drive the car the better it runs, it’s when the car sits you start to have problems👍

[mandojr]

Beautiful car!! Great points too. I'm restoring my 67 Mustang and looking to drive it as much as I can. Every upgrade I do is in hopes of making the ride more comfortable and a better experience not only for me but my family. I didn't spend all this time and money to have it sit in my garage.

[ridetoruin]

I was driver side t-boned in my 67 mustang when I was a teenager. It was completely stock (no roll bars, no cage, only lap belts). My door was pushed in about two feet and the roof and pillars were crunched. I didn’t have a scratch on me, and the window (which was rolled down at the time) was completely in tact. These old cars are a lot safer than most people think. I do recommend upgrading to disc brakes though lol. Great video and beautiful car.

[jrod.c]

Love the car man! I've been daily driving my 1989 Ford Mustang LX since September 2020 and love it. I'm 19 and it was my second car (first car I bought myself though) and I feel like driving it has made me a better driver. I've grown to enjoy the bare bone experience of no ABS or any of the modern comforts. It's my first vehicle with a manual transmission and I taught myself to drive it on the back roads where I live. I vastly prefer it over driving my parents vehicles. The manual transmission keeps me engaged in driving. I feel like an older/classic car is a great option for a newer driver as it will teach them to be a better driver. I know the limits of my car and what to avoid. A lot of my friends think I'm crazy for dailying an 80s car but everytime they ride with me, they prefer it. It's a more visceral experience compared to their boring Altimas and Camrys. Great video tho! I felt like I should share my opinion as a younger enthusiast

[Atuggy]

Im 20 and bought a 69 coupe with a 302 and c4 when i was 17. I tried to daily drive it but everything started breaking - so i fixed it or paid someone who did while i drove my parents car. I hate this car but I love every time i drive it and has made me some of the most meaningful friendships. Ive had to do everything but rebuild the engine and still havent touched the body and interior. Ive learned alot about cars and engines and the looks alone people give are enough to make it worth it.

You can 100% daily drive this car you just need to put the effort in and carry tools and ratchets in the trunk

[onikrux]

in my family, that I've grown up in-

we always had carbureted, big block V8's.
we do and have almost always had a reliable chevy truck to be the workhorse when we need it most (especially if the snow gets too high in some months).

but otherwise, we learned that you get up a little sooner to make sure you get a chance to defrost the car and warm up the motor.
we learned that it is very viable to regularly drive classics, if you are passionate enough about these rides.

now with myself, my brother and my sister all in our 20's, we all own a classic or few.
my grandpa who would come with us to the track in his 66 fairlane has passed away and passed on his gems to my father, aunt and uncle.

It's become a generational passion that we all share and love to share with others.
Some of my coworkers around my age who never got the chance to experience a vehicle older than 1990-something, get so stoked to see!

I am rambling a little :)
However, My favourite part of driving to and from my job in my brother's 70 LeMans, or my 67 Riviera, or my 66 Corvair is when older/elderly people come up and tell me about their old rides or just how much they miss these cars.
How they really don't feel the same way about their Hyundai or their new Dodge, they're reliable, and they have warranties that are taken care of so they don't have to worry about maintenance anymore.
but they really do miss that 1to1 feeling of the machine they're in, feeling more alive.
chrome, fancy lines and curves, hard tops with no B Pillar.

these old cars feel alive in some ways. maybe it's less sensors and computers, maybe it's the way the suspension rides-
, but there is nothing quite like it...

[DeltaSniperZRR]

I own a Opel Manta A 1970 but Im not sure wether I could use it as a daily driver. I know that the Volvo Amazon is a really reliable daily driver, still to this day. Maybe I will get one in the future :)

[lpdcomic]

I proudly daily drive a 1985 LTD Ford. One of two left in my entire province. She has a few bumps and scratches from the previous owners. But she had suepr low KM when I bought it. She served the previous owner well who loved it but had to let it go, and she is serving me well! It's super reliable, and also despite having just a V6, she has quite a lot of power and sounds and looks awesome! Thanks for the video!

[acs]

I daily drive a 65 f100. Built in overdrive from factory and ac from the dealership. The twin I beam with good suspension makes the ride soft and gets great mpg at 18 (for the time). Though the safety rating is poor like he said, its great and fun drive anywhere. The joy that driving a classic brings, in of itself is the greatest reason to do so. And thanks for the great video

I drive a 67 Mustang fastback all the time. I have owned it for 43 years. It now has 538000 miles on it.It has the original engine block, carb and distributor. It started as a no option car. It has a 200 six with stick. Upgrades include Granada disc brakes and overdrive trans, Pertronics ignition, halogen headlights, 2057 tail light bulbs, third brakelight, V8 rear, fold down seat. It gets 25 MPG on the highway. In the last two years I have driven it on four 2000 mile round trips. Whoever says you can't drive an old car daily doesn't know anything about cars.