Classic Cars
Question: Why drive classic cars?
Answer: Because they're better.
Okay, that's a subjective answer, but classic cars are more than just valuable pieces of automobile history. Classic cars were built (as were most things at the time) with a certain pride and dedication that has all but disappeared from American manufacturing today. That being said, classic cars are not for everyone.
Here are a few advantages of classic cars:
- Visual appearance
- Bench seats in the front (as opposed to bucket seats)
- Novelty and uniqueness
- Operational longevity
- No unnecessary add-ons
- Can't be hacked
- Value
- Most are manuals, not automatics — 3-on-the-tree manuals are way more fun to drive — click on the picture of the 1948 Ford to see why!
- Other drivers, dreading the liability of crashing into you, might well stay away
Here are a few of the downsides of classic cars:
- Upkeep and maintenance (i.e. repairs)
- Fuel efficiency
- Most cars built before 1965 lack seat-belts
- Fewer safety features
- Do not crumple in a crash — this means you will!
Personally, I am partial to cars manufactured between the 1930s and the late 1960s, and the advantages of using classic cars far outweigh the risks.
I prefer cars with bench seats in the front (as opposed to bucket seats) with 3-on-the-tree manual transmission (the gearshift lever is on the steering column rather than the floor), common in vehicles from the late 1930s through the late 1970s. I'm not a fan of manuals where the gearshift lever is on the floor.
Here are a few of my personal favorites — that will likely end up in my garage some day:
Not all of these are classic cars, or even cars for that matter. Below is the assortment/fleet of vehicles I hope to eventually obtain.
| Year | Make | Model | Edition/Color | Purpose | Exterior* | Dashboard* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | Ford | Model T | Touring (w/o roof) | Driving Around Property In Good Weather |  |
 |
| 1925 | Ford | Model T | (w/ roof) | Driving To Mailbox/Around Property |  |
 |
| 1928 | Ford | Model A | Rumble Seat Roadster | Light Driving |  |
 |
| 1948 | Ford | Super Deluxe | Green/Tudor | Moderate Driving |  |
 |
| 1954 | Ford | Crestline | Victoria | Purpose |  |
 |
| 1955 | Ford | Crown Victoria | Green | Moderate Driving |  |
 |
| 1955 | Oldsmobile | 88 | Edition/Color | Purpose |  |
 |
| 1957 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | Green** | Moderate Driving |  |
 |
| 1958 | Chevrolet | Biscayne | Aqua | Moderate Driving |  |
 |
| 1962 | Ford | Country Squire (station wagon) | White w/ Brown trim** | Grocery Shopping |  |
 |
| 1963 | Ford | Galaxie | 1/2, Red | Moderate Driving |  |
 |
| 1963 | Ford | Galaxie | 1/2, Red, Convertible | Moderate Driving In Good Weather |  |
 |
| 1965 | Ford | Fairline | Aqua | Moderate Driving |  |
 |
| 1967 | Ford | F-250 | ** | Trucking |  |
 |
| 1970 | Ford | F-100 | ** | Trucking |  |
 |
| 1970s | ** | Bell System Van |  |
 |
||
| 1960s | ** | School Bus |  |
 |
*Click for Drive Test Video (if applicable)
**Interior photo is not from the same vehicle as the exterior photo