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Sleek lines and classic engine rumbles are just some of the things that keep classic cars at the top of many people’s dream-car list.

The problem with these highly sought-after cars is that most of them aren’t considered safe compared to current models. Vintage vehicles don’t have airbags or anti-lock brakes, but there are things you can do to make your classic car safe to drive.

1. Modernize the Braking System

Older braking systems do not have today’s safety standards in mind. Instead, if any pressure is lost in a classic car’s braking system, you will lose your brakes entirely because a single-cylinder controls the system. In a more modern braking system, you have two cylinders controlling the brakes. One controls the front set, and the second controls the backset of brakes. If one cylinder goes out, you still have one set of brakes that works.

Older drum brakes should also be replaced with disc brakes for better stopping power on the road. Also, installing modern hoses will lead to more security when you hit the brakes. You may even consider replacing the entire braking system from front to back with a more modern system if it is fully compatible. To find out, you’ll need to see whether or not your classic can be upgraded like that. If you’re not sure, ask a professional for advice on what you need to do in the brake department.

2. Change the Seatbelts and Update the Tires

Safety belts were not standard in classic cars before the mid-1960s. Before then, death was common in an accident if you were sitting in the front seat during a crash. Seatbelts only ever existed in the front seats, and then they weren’t the 3-point harness style you see today because lap belts didn’t exist either.

Seatbelts have proven to save lives in collisions for decades, so you can’t skimp on installing a new set of seatbelts. It isn’t hard to install a new set yourself if you follow a video tutorial, but if you’re unsure, you should contact a professional to install the belts. If you do nothing else to improve your classic car’s safety features, you should always do the safety belts.

Back in the day, bias-ply tires were the bees’ knees on the classic cars. Today, radial tires are the standard, and with good reason. Vintage-style tires were not as good at providing traction or handling turns. Radial tires are much better for traction and keeping your car on the road, especially if you want to take a long drive.

If your classic is from after 1975, then tire replacement ought to be pretty straightforward. On the other hand, if your car is older than 1975, then you’ll need to do some additional replacement to your wheels. You can still find your bias-ply tires if you’re a diehard fan of classic tires, but for safety reasons, you should consider replacing them with modern tires to make your car safer.

3. Change Your Locks

Today’s locks are vastly different from locks on classic cars, and they are markedly safer than locks used to be. It’s not like anti-theft devices were a thing back then, but it’s a good idea to install one in place of your classic locks to keep your car safe.

For older classic cars, it’s not unusual to see what are called “tryout keys” that could easily open a traditional lock. Because these keys are readily available, you don’t want to take the chance that someone else could walk up to your classic and take it. Replacing the locks is well worth keeping your prized possession safe from thieves.

You could go one step further and install an alarm system. Classic cars were not initially equipped for alarm systems, but there are plenty of options around today that will allow you to install an aftermarket option for them.

4. Install a GPS Tracker

You don’t need to install a navigation system; you could go much simpler than that. What you need to do is install a GPS tracker on your car somewhere. If your vehicle were to be stolen, you would be able to track its whereabouts and have a better chance of getting it back in one piece.

If you wanted to install a GPS tracking system, you can, but it would be more expensive than installing a tracker. Wiring is minimal if you’re going to go this route, and it is still cheaper than replacing your entire car if it were to be stolen.

As a bonus, if you installed a GPS tracking system or a tracker, and you later had to ship your classic car, you could follow its progress. With car shipping being so cheap these days, you could easily transport your vehicle from coast to coast, preventing wear and tear and saving money in the process.

5. Get the Right Storage and Covering

Think about where you’re keeping your classic car. Are you keeping it stored well? Is it in a garage that is secure? If other people have seen your car, it is probably on someone’s radar, and many people would like to get their hands on it. It’s a good idea to keep another car parked in front of your garage as another wall of protection.

You may also want to use an indoor or outdoor car cover. A good cover will protect your car inside or out. If your vehicle is outside, you need to protect it from rain, bird droppings, and general exposure to the elements. If you keep it inside, a cover helps keep your paint job looking pristine, and it can also protect your car from any other scratches caused by other objects in the garage.

A Few Final Thoughts on Keeping Your Classic Car Safe

Keeping your classic car safe is essential so you can enjoy it for as long as possible, knowing that nothing preventable will happen to it. Safety isn’t just about things like car alarms or GPS trackers. It’s also about making sure your brakes and seatbelts are up to par to keeping you safe. Change your locks to something more modern and keep your car protected with a cover when you’re not using it. Following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your vehicle for years to come.

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