Good tips here, especially the tire pressure gauge—I hadn't thought about tires losing air quicker on older cars. Makes sense though. I've been wondering, do you find carrying spare belts or hoses necessary too? I've heard mixed opinions on whether that's overkill or just smart planning. I'm still pretty new to vintage car ownership, so trying to strike a balance between being prepared and not turning my trunk into a mobile garage...
Carrying spare belts or hoses isn't overkill if you're planning longer trips. Here's how I see it: first, check the condition of your current belts and hoses—any cracks, brittleness, or bulges mean it's time to replace them before hitting the road. If they're in decent shape but older, toss a spare belt and maybe a radiator hose into your trunk. They don't take up much space, and trust me, it's way easier to have them handy than trying to hunt down vintage parts in the middle of nowhere...
"They don't take up much space, and trust me, it's way easier to have them handy than trying to hunt down vintage parts in the middle of nowhere..."
Good advice there. One thing I'm curious about though—how often do you guys actually end up needing those spare belts or hoses on your trips? I've always carried them as a precaution, but honestly, I've never had to use them yet. Maybe I've just been lucky...or overly cautious. Would be interesting to hear if anyone's had to swap parts roadside and how it went.
I've carried spare belts and hoses for years without ever needing them...until last summer. Belt snapped on me about 50 miles from the nearest town. Honestly, swapping it roadside wasn't too bad—just glad I had the tools handy. I'd say you're not overly cautious, just prepared. Better to have it and not need it, right?
Haha, been there myself—though my luck usually involves something way more dramatic than a snapped belt. Like the time my radiator hose decided to explode right in the middle of nowhere...let's just say duct tape and prayers got me home. You're totally right though, better safe than sorry. Carrying spares isn't paranoid, it's smart. Vintage rides have their quirks, but that's half the charm, isn't it? Glad you were prepared and didn't end up having to hitchhike into town.
