Keeping a toolkit handy is definitely a smart move, especially with vintage cars. I've never had a fuse blow on me, but I did have an alternator belt snap once on a long drive. Thankfully, I had a spare in the trunk and managed to swap it out roadside—though it wasn't exactly fun doing it in fading daylight.
One thing I've been wondering about lately is how everyone handles spare parts storage for longer trips. Obviously, you can't carry everything, but some parts seem more critical than others. For instance, I always keep belts, hoses, and a basic ignition kit (points, condenser, rotor) in my trunk. But I've heard some folks even carry spare fuel pumps or water pumps... seems a bit excessive to me, but maybe I'm just overly cautious about weighing down the car or cluttering up the trunk.
Also curious if anyone has experience with roadside assistance services specifically geared toward classic cars. I've considered signing up for one as an extra layer of security, but I'm skeptical about their actual usefulness when you're stuck somewhere remote. Would they even have the know-how or parts to help with older vehicles?
Anyway, it's reassuring to hear stories like yours—makes me feel justified in my cautious approach.
"But I've heard some folks even carry spare fuel pumps or water pumps... seems a bit excessive to me"
Haha, guilty as charged—I actually lugged around a spare fuel pump for years and never used it once. Eventually took it out because the rattling drove me nuts. Curious though, has anyone actually had roadside assistance successfully help with a vintage-specific issue? Always figured they'd just scratch their heads and call a tow truck...
Haha, I totally get the spare parts paranoia—I once carried around an extra alternator belt for years, only to realize later it wasn't even the right size. As for roadside assistance, I've seen it go both ways. A buddy of mine broke down in his '68 Mustang a couple summers ago, and the roadside guy who showed up was actually an older mechanic who knew exactly what he was looking at. He got him running again in about 20 minutes—pretty impressive.
But yeah, that's probably more the exception than the rule. Most of the time, especially with vintage-specific quirks, they're just gonna tow you to someone who specializes in classics. Still, it's reassuring to have that coverage, even if it's just to get you safely off the side of the road and to a shop that knows your car. Have you checked if your insurance offers specialized classic car roadside assistance? Some policies actually partner with classic car clubs or specialty garages, which can be a lifesaver on longer trips...
"Still, it's reassuring to have that coverage, even if it's just to get you safely off the side of the road and to a shop that knows your car."
Totally agree with this. Even if the roadside mechanic isn't familiar with vintage cars, having someone show up promptly to help get you off a busy road safely is a huge relief. A few years back, my old Triumph decided to stall out in rush-hour traffic—talk about nerve-wracking. The roadside assistance guy wasn't a classic car expert by any means, but he got me out of that sketchy spot quickly and towed me straight to a specialty garage nearby.
Have you thought about keeping a basic emergency kit in your trunk too? Nothing fancy, just stuff like reflective triangles, a flashlight, and maybe a portable jump starter. I've found that small things like that can make a big difference when things go sideways. Either way, sounds like you're already thinking ahead and doing the right things to stay safe out there...
Good points about the emergency kit. I've always been a bit cautious about long drives with my '68 Mustang, and learned the hard way that even the best-maintained vintage cars can surprise you. A few things I've found helpful:
- Keeping extra fluids (oil, coolant) in the trunk—saved me more than once.
- A simple tool set for quick fixes or adjustments.
- Tire pressure gauge and a small compressor—old tires seem to lose air at the worst moments.
I agree roadside assistance is reassuring, but sometimes help can take longer than you'd like. Had a breakdown once on a rural road with spotty cell coverage... not fun sitting there waiting. Since then, I've made sure to have enough basics on hand to at least get me to a safer spot if possible.
Sounds like you're already thinking things through pretty well, though. It's always reassuring to see other vintage car owners taking precautions seriously.
