Classic cars are getting increasingly popular amongst enthusiasts today. However, they are from a time when creature comforts were not as necessary as they are now. Buying a classic car today will mean you will miss out on most features and amenities you'd expect from a modern-day car. That's why many owners are modifying old cars with modern technology.
Here is a list of some of the best modern upgrades you can get for your classic car:
Interiors
The interiors of a classic car can be worn out from the years it has been around. One of the first things you should consider upgrading with the interiors is the seats as that's where you'll be spending most of your time. While new upholstery will give your classic car a more premium feel, investing in cooled or heated seats (depending on your location) will drastically improve comfort.
Another part of the interiors worth changing is the sound system. The one on your car may be outdated and will not have modern functionalities like Bluetooth or a CD player. Buying a current audio system with high-quality speakers may not be one of the necessary classic car mods, but it brings an old car closer to newer models concerning features.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is a feature we take for granted in modern-day cars. On the other hand, purchasing a vehicle made before the 70s probably won't have an AC system. Even on slightly newer classics, the air conditioning might not work as it should.
Luckily, there are several air conditioning kits out there that are specifically designed and manufactured to fit modified classic cars. Depending on your vehicle's make and model, this can be an expensive upgrade. Still, it's definitely one worth getting, especially if you live in hotter climates where driving without an AC can be unpleasant.
Disc Brakes
Updating the interiors and air conditioning on your classic car will play a massive role in improving how comfortable you are while driving. Meanwhile, disc brakes will increase braking performance and keep you safer.
Most older cars came with drum brakes — either on all four wheels or just the rear two — that are not ideal if you want to come to a sudden halt. They are also more prone to wear and tear as well as brake fade compared to disc brakes. Disc brakes are the more expensive of the two, but they provide notably better stopping power.
Tires
If you're upgrading the brakes on your car, you should also consider investing in better wheels and tires. Modern-day cars are equipped with radial tires that offer a more comfortable ride and better fuel efficiency than bias ply tires. Classic cars were typically equipped with bias ply tires, but if you want to improve your ride, you should consider switching to radial tires.
On the downside, radial tires will take away from the old-school aesthetic of the car, and if that's something you want to maintain, this may not be the best choice for you. Additionally, classic cars were designed to perform with bias-ply tires, so swapping to radial tires may adversely affect the car's handling.
If you're looking to buy new tires or wheels, check out our extensive portfolio of classic car wheels and tires to find one that will suit your dream classic car build perfectly.
Engine Upgrades
A car is nothing without its engine. If you're buying a pre-owned, classic car, it's likely the engine has run tens of thousands of miles and is showing signs of wear and tear. One of the things you can do is swap the whole engine out for a more modern unit. This will open up room for multiple other updates like forced induction — a turbocharger or supercharger — resulting in added performance and reliability.
However, if you want to continue running the stock engine on your car, there are some other minor changes you can make. For starters, the carburetors can be swapped out for a more modern fuel injection system. Carburetors were the go-to choice back in the day, but they are nowhere near as efficient and require frequent tuning to run well.
You can also swap out the mechanical fans on the older engines for a performance electric fan. This will keep your engine running cooler, reducing wearing out the internals.
Ignition
Classics cars were typically equipped with a contact breaker or points type ignition system where the mechanical action of the distributor shaft controls when the ignition spark is produced. With time, the efficiency of this system can drop and require adjustment. While this is not a complex process, it does require some technical knowledge and effort.
On the other hand, an electronic ignition system eliminates the need for maintenance as it automatically adjusts when it has to produce a spark. So if you want better efficiency at cruising speeds or more power while accelerating, electronic ignitions are the way to go.
Find Parts that Best Match Your Classic Car!
These are just some of the many updates you can add to your classic car to make it a better vehicle to live with. At the end of the day, the modifications you make depend on what you want to improve and how much money you have to spend on the same.
At JEGS, we have everything you'll need to modify your car. Our portfolio of classic car parts includes everything from wheels and tires to timing chains and other integral engine components. Simply head to our website, enter your car's details, and select the part you need.
