17 Feb How To Get the Most from Your Classic Muscle Car
Undoubtedly, if you have a classic muscle car, you’re going to want to get the most from it. However, taking it out on the road in all weathers may not be your idea of a good time. Finding the right balance between keeping your classic muscle car in peak condition while also making use of it can be tricky, but then it all depends on the reason why you have it.
If, for instance, you have it so you can gaze at it and treat it like a work of art, then the odd drive in the sunshine just to keep it ticking over will be seen as ample. If, however, you have it so others can also enjoy its beauty, marvel at your acquisition, and be the showstopper that you know it is, then you’ll want to be out and about in it as much as possible.
#1 Take it to its original form
Although some may question the point of a car as a work of art, others, such as muscle car collector and enthusiast Savage of New Canaan, Connecticut, will totally understand. Mike Savage has a large collection of muscle cars which he enjoys looking after as well as driving, and he’s not alone. He shares his love, knowledge, and appreciation of many muscle car models with other like-minded people, offering tips on how to care for them and how to source them if you’re finding it hard to locate your perfect model.
Of course, having a large collection, like Mike Savage’s, takes money not only to acquire it but also to house it, and if you can’t afford this yourself, then choosing just one car can still give you a sense of achievement. This is even more so if you have to strip it back and get it back to how it looked in its best heyday. Original fixtures, fittings, and paint color schemes all add to a classic muscle car’s beauty and can really make your project a work of art when it’s finished.
#2 Enhance it with modern gadgets
If you’re looking to use your classic muscle car more often than not, you’re probably going to want it to not only look the part but be fully functional with all the modern tech and driver comfort that you can fit in. Older muscle cars won’t be equipped with navigational tech or heated seats, for example. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to rough it or do without.
Although these can be seen as luxury items, having a hard-wired backup camera or a dashcam, or even keyless entry, could be seen as a necessity and a good safety measure. You can install these yourself or get your local garage to do it for you for a more professional finish.
#3 Personalize it with body wraps
You may feel, however, that you really want your classic muscle car to stand out in a crowd and decide to personalize it as a matter of pride. You could pay for an artist or a paint sprayer to do their thing, but this can be time-consuming, costly, and frustrating if you’re not happy with the outcome.
Instead, you may want to use vehicle body wraps as they won’t interfere with the paintwork that’s already resident. This is because a vehicle wrap will only cover the paintwork, so if you change your mind and want to have your classic muscle car back to how it was originally, you won’t have the exuberant costs of a total respray.
It’s important to remember that car body wraps aren’t just pictures or graphics but can also be block colors. Taking your classic muscle car to a professional vehicle wrapping company rather than doing it yourself will provide you and your car with the best experience. They’ll also be able to advise you on how to look after the finish so your wrap can last until you want to change the color again.
#4 Improve its performance with body kits
Personalization doesn’t need to stop at the vehicle’s color or, for that matter, additional gadgets to bring the vehicle up to date with its current modern counterparts; you can also enhance its performance and drive with dedicated body kits.
If your classic muscle car isn’t your only vehicle, it’s likely that you understand the difference between modern-day suspension comfort and what was seen to be fun and adequate back in the day. Feeling every bump on the road isn’t every person’s idea of a good time, especially if the seats are a little bit thin in the padding and spring department.
However, it’s not just the seating arrangements or the suspension that you can enhance in your classic muscle vehicle; you can also add brighter headlights, chunkier wheels, and a multitude of other performance enhancements. Over the past few decades, body kits for all muscle cars, including classics, have become big business, but before you part with your cash, you should do your research into what you want your car to look like and seek out reputable suppliers and dealers.
A few final thoughts
If you’re a classic muscle car enthusiast or want to become one, you first need to understand the role that it’ll play in your life. If you want it purely to gaze at with the odd outing every now and then, you’re going to need somewhere safe and secure to keep it.
If, however, you’re planning on using it regularly, it may be a good idea to incorporate some modern technology to enhance your driver experience, whether this is in standard safety tech, body kits or suspension overhauls. When it comes to changing the color or making your classic muscle car more personal to you, a vehicle body wrap may be more cost-effective and friendly to your car’s exterior than a full-blown respray. This is especially true if you’re prone to changing your mind about the end result.