Classic cars and their soul

It’s scary how quickly the modern car is advancing. As each year passes, the car is becoming more of a computer on wheels which is growing more intelligent than the human being.

With all that tech, though, I believe modern cars are losing something rather special; a soul. I can count on one hand the modern cars I developed an emotional connection with through my time as a motoring journalist at CarAdvice; the Mazda MX-5, Suzuki Jimny, Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the Porsche 911. They are essentially enthusiast cars that get all my senses running and inspire me to want to drive them all day. But they just don’t give me the same happiness that I get with an older car.

I bought my first classic at 12 years old, and have been driving them since I was 16. They are an addiction that is only understood by people who have driven or owned one or two, or maybe more, depending on how big the garage is.

There really isn’t a definition of a ’classic car’. Some believe it’s a car built post World War Two, while others believe ‘classic’ ends with the introduction of plastic bumpers. To be eligible for a club permit, according to VicRoads, a classic car is manufactured after 31 December 1930 but is more than 25 years old. Road and Maritime Services (RMS) in NSW defines it as 30 years or older, and the QLD Government, at least 30 years old. Which means we now consider a Holden Commodore VN, Toyota Hiace, Honda Prelude, and a Nissan Patrol as a classic. That’s just a bit… weird. But that’s a conversation for another time.

So, what is so appealing about an old car that is unsafe and mostly unreliable?

Classic cars can make you a better driver. There are no driving aids like AEC, ABS, ESC, and all those confusing abbreviated words that you need a dictionary to understand. Each classic car driver understands how unsafe their car is, and they should drive to compensate for it by being extra aware of their surroundings.

My 1965 car has drum brakes, so I’m always leaving sufficient space for braking, which is frustratingly always filled by an impatient lane changer. I’m monitoring speed all the time because there’s no cruise control or digital speedometer. Plus, depending on how many decades you go back, there’s usually no transmission choice. It’s either manual, manual, or manual.

Some cars don’t have a tachometer or a gear change guide, so you need to listen to the engine to choose the right time to shift gears. You have to drive the car, not have the car drive for you.

Classic cars look cool. The design of each model is unique, and they are usually instantly recognisable. Take a look at your nearest carpark full of SUVs, and I bet if you saw them in a silhouette, you’d struggle to name them. Sure, cars of today have become more aerodynamic and sleek, but in doing so, they have lost character.

Some people might think the boxiness of the Ford Falcon XF is uber cool, or some might think the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato is a curvacious masterpiece. Each car enthusiast has their own version of what makes an attractive car, and there won’t be any way you’ll change their mind.

Classic cars spark memories. Not a day goes by when I’m cruising in my old car that I don’t get someone coming up to me reminiscing how that model was part of their life. They’ll chat to me about how it was their first car, how they know someone who used to own one, that time it broke down, or when they regretted selling it because it’s valuable now. Making a stranger smile really is a wonderful feeling, and you would like to think your car made their day, but it usually makes your day.

Classic cars are simple. Let’s use my 1965 model as an example. Winding down a window is exactly that; you wind down the window using your arm, not a finger. And the same goes for the handbrake. For some reason, it feels safer pulling a big lever up, than trusting a computer to prevent the car from potentially rolling down a hill.

Apart from an alternator light and oil light, it has no annoying warning signs that flash on the dash, such as reminding you the washer bottle is low. I would rather spend 30 seconds checking it myself every few months than to put up with that message until you finally get around to filling it up.

When you lift that heavy bonnet, you’ll notice the engine isn’t full of plastic pieces. Just once I owned a modern car. I remember it had a plastic dipstick that eroded and broke off into the engine. Yep, fun times. Or that time the brake light globe blew, and the only way to fix it was to book it into the service centre because it required a special tool. If (or, when) a classic car breaks down, a toolbox will most likely fix the issue. I’ve spent hours tinkering in the shed with my Dad working on old cars with old tools, and it’s a great way to learn about the mechanics of how a car works.

When you work on your own car, you are responsible for the welfare of it, and I believe it helps to grow that connection even more between owner and machine. And we must remember there once was a time when cars were produced by hand and not by robots.

Classic cars are an investment. Well, most. You just need to pick wisely or predict the future if you’re planning to hold onto the car for years. i.e. last edition Holden Commodores. Some appreciate more than a house in a year (Ferrari 250 GTO or Ford Falcon GTHO, anyone?), and some will see the ‘bubble burst’, just like that time when anyone who owned any type of Volkswagen Kombi thought it was worth $200,000.

Sadly, people who buy classic cars only as an investment usually have the car sitting in a garage under a cover that rarely sees the light of day, which is a downright shame. If you are buying a classic car as an investment, I think you might be missing the point. Drive them. That’s what they were designed to do.

Classic cars are characterful. Each owner will tell you their car has imperfections, even though some may not like to admit it. A car might need the throttle pumped three times to start it (not four, otherwise you’ll flood it), the fuel gauge might read empty all the time (story of my life), or you might need to disconnect the battery when the car is parked because the tail lights stay on all the time (a friend’s Alfa Romeo). They will rattle, they will require more maintenance, and they will worry you.

Idiosyncrasies are all a part of owning a classic car, and in a strange way, it adds to the ownership experience.

I think everyone should drive a classic car to fully appreciate how far the automobile has come, and how much concentration and effort is needed to keep one on the road. It will also be a test of your patience and you’ll find the world will slow down a little.

I will always agree new cars are safer, more economical, reliable, environmentally friendly, comfortable, quieter, easier to drive, longer warranties, and the list goes on. There is no doubt new cars are more appealing and classic cars can be more unreliable than the NBN, but they come with history, nostalgia, simple engineering, and style.

They are more than an old bucket of bolts on four wheels. They are a lifestyle that really can change your perspective on driving.

Let’s face it, the journey is far more exciting in a classic car when you’re not worried about reaching the destination.