Classics as a daily

[Snelens]

Gday Fella's

I could be on a big fantasy trip here but I keep thinking of a classic as a daily driver.
I do about 500k's a week in and around the city looking after my sparky business. I currently have an FG egas ute, its great but I keep looking at classics and wanting one. The sound, the look and just to be a bit different.
I love the XA-XC model utes.

Are they all noisy inside (I know this sounds girly but I am on the phone a lot)? How is it to park etc compared to a modern ute / car with the smaller windows etc? I havent driven an older car (except my Escort but thats completely different) so have no idea on how they drive.

I had a plan to get one & restore a ute enough to have it comfortable (not for show standard), install some recaro's, better sound system, blue tooth kit, reverse sensors (I park all over the city all of the time daily), security & central locking, and maybe even a EFI windsor or gas a tidy clevo, bigger brake kit, update the suspension parts etc etc.

Thanks for your input.

Any opinions?

[gcg2503]

The romance of a classic is phenomenal.

Heck, I have seriously toyed with the idea as well

I am sure after 6 mths in a classic ute you would think differently.....

But the creature comforts of climate control, demisters, windscreen wipers that are effective (think of that XA fogging up in winter - i had one for six years!)

[aussie muscle]

you want a modern car for the weekly hack and get something special for the weekend. even more reason to look forward to saturday.

[grey_esp]

I drove my 302 XE ESP as a daily for about 4 years, the only thing that annoyed me was the crappy turning circle, it didnt rattle or squeak, the A/C worked it had remote central locking and power windows, it was also auto and on gas. They only real reason I stopped driving it was after I had it painted I got sick of finding new chips and scratches in it all the time. Actually headlights weren't too flash either but A HID kit would sort that. Each to their own really. I would do it again.

[satria]

I turned my xw into a daily car, fitted it with a great alarm system, Clevo on gas and central locking. I think it's quite do-able to turn a classic into a daily, if it's what you really want go for it and ignore anyone who says you can't.

Only thing to be aware of is when your on the road more the chances of idiots reversing into your pride and joy in a carpark increases. See below:

[gcg2503]

Another factor to consider is the lack of safety enhancements...ABS, traction control, stability control etc

Dont be fooled into thinking an older ute is a safer cabin to be in

Food for thought....as the kms you do per week is quite high

[Powdered Toast Man]

Like gcg2503 mentioned its the creature comforts like lack of effective demisters, good heaters, air-con that will be the main bug bear of driving a classic as a daily.

Fogging up windows will be a major pain especially in traffic in Melbourne in winter.

As long as you have power steering then they aren't really any harder to park or drive than a modern car once you learn how to judge it's size. However the XA - XC model utes use the coupe doors which may be a pain to use in tight car parks. I used to drive a coupe to uni in Hawthorn 15ish years ago and getting in and out of the car when in a car park was a pain.

[Ford_The_Win]

Just imagine a modern everyday car, like an AU for example, and then make everything about the car a little bit worse. The ride is rough, more engine noise, more wind noise, more rattles, the handling is more hairy, it smells kind of funny (you know that '70s leathery car smell) and the brakes are crap. It all depends on whether or not you're willing to trade off the creature comforts of a modern car for the style of a classic and the attention you'll get.

[Snelens]

I hadnt really thought about the passive safety stuff as I was concentrating on the active with better brakes, tyres, better suspension. A good point that I take for granted in my newer cars. Even my vans have air bags...
I thought about the demist thing but planned on an AC unit.
Many things to consider.

[TheInterceptor]

I know its not a ford but my daily is the soob....no power steering, no a/c nothing. if it fogs up, roll down as many windows as you can.
Its always a pleasure to drive, more than the BF even...

If you dont frequent tight/full of inconsiderates car parks then it should be fine i reckon. Just make sure its on gas because these x series badboys like a drink.
You might want to consider the saftey aspect also.

[xy500]

Originally Posted by mick_1010

Just imagine a modern everyday car, like an AU for example, and then make everything about the car a little bit worse. The ride is rough, more engine noise, more wind noise, more rattles, the handling is more hairy, it smells kind of funny (you know that '70s leathery car smell) and the brakes are crap. It all depends on whether or not you're willing to trade off the creature comforts of a modern car for the style of a classic and the attention you'll get.

what a load of crap, I'd say the ride is way better in 70's car than a late model, way smoother - like riding on a cloud. If your door seals aren't perished and 40 years old there shouldn't be any wind noise. Rattles shouldn't be there at all, I'd say even less likely thanks to the luxurious suspension. Handling is fine if you harden up the suspension, but you lose the ride quality eventually, stock handling is fine for average driving anyway. NOTHING smells better than 70's vinyl! Brakes work plenty good if you have ventilated discs, and as the car is actually significantly lighter than a late model braking distances are better.
Believe it or not but "modern" cars aren't as good as you can get, there is and will be improvements in the future.

[xy500]

re post

[Bearman]

A classic as a daily?? I don't think I could. If I had to use my coupe as a daily it'd drive me batty. Wind noise, rattles, non working A/C and a turning circle of an oil tanker?? No. Just a weekend cruiser only I'm afraid.

I know I get all nostalgic when I think about all my past cars and you tend to only remember the good bits. A long drive in the coupe soon reminds me.

I've gotten old and soft so for a daily it's gotta be something with all the current mod cons.

[ThaFlash]

both of these were my daily drivers....

downside, fuel costs, constant worrying about accidents, talking to endless amounts of people interested in looking at them at servos and while driving. Be prepared to lose an hour a day talking to strangers, worrying about theft, rain (rust) and everyone gorkin' at ya all day.

upside, mad attention, respect and lot's of jealous bastards flexin in their piddley rides with their gals checkin me and my ride out.....YEAH!

conclusion, GO FOR IT!

I am lookin for some classic muscle as we speak, it's been 4 years!

[66FAIRLANE]

If it wasn't for my wife I would have a '64 Galaxie Station wagon, 390, on gas, with air and steer.

[auxr]

Originally Posted by xy500

what a load of crap, I'd say the ride is way better in 70's car than a late model, way smoother - like riding on a cloud. If your door seals aren't perished and 40 years old there shouldn't be any wind noise. Rattles shouldn't be there at all, I'd say even less likely thanks to the luxurious suspension. Handling is fine if you harden up the suspension, but you lose the ride quality eventually, stock handling is fine for average driving anyway. NOTHING smells better than 70's vinyl! Brakes work plenty good if you have ventilated discs, and as the car is actually significantly lighter than a late model braking distances are better.
Believe it or not but "modern" cars aren't as good as you can get, there is and will be improvements in the future.

Are you kidding? - no way would a 70's car have anything to compare with the handling and comfort levels that a modern vehicle can provide.

To the Op, imo the ammount of inner city k's that are racked up per week, I would have to agree with other comments made - leave the classic for weekend enjoyment.

[DOG20L]

I drove a 302 Cortina daily for 2 years it was great, it's also the only way to master the Top Loader!
Also drove a VJ valiany for over a year. Thinking back it was a dangerous car but i lived it.
i say give it a go. When we see you driving down the road with ladders etc hanging out the back you will have made our day. See you'd be doing a public service!

[OzJavelin]

I've got two AMC Javelins ('69 and '74) and I drive both regularly. For example I drove the '69 to work this morning (35km trip) and will probably share the rest of this weeks driving between the '69, the '74 and my motorbike ... because the weather is nice. When it's raining or stinking hot I scurry back to the SV8.

If you spent some decent $$$ on a classic it could be a nice daily driver; eg. fix all the water/air leaks, decent heater and A/C, decent brakes, decent cooling system, electrical system, etc, etc. But then it would be too nice (and expensive) to be a daily driver! Remember if it gets broken or bashed, typically parts aren't just available off the shelf to fix.

I'm being naive but missing the active/passive safety stuff never worries me when I'm driving the oldies. I drive far more cautious .. but I agree with one of the previous posters that the ride in an old car is typically better (when not pushed) as it tends to be softer and not tramtrack like modern cars with 18" rims ..

[SSD-85]

Well the 69 Galaxie in my project thread is destined to be a daily. By far the most comfortable car ive driven. Frame on chassis is definitely the pick for smooth cruising. Which is what I do daily, all highway driving.

It would probably be more of a headache driving around town, as people have pointed out with things like brakes, large turning circle, etc.

I agree with ThaFlash in regard to worrying about theives, accidents & rain. But fortunately ill still have my AU to fall back on if I need to do some driving that would otherwise involve those things. Id never leave it in a carpark thats for sure.

[Geez Louise]

I thought about it for a long time before I decided to rebuild a coupe as my daily.

We only live once! I would rather get into my car and enjoy driving it everyday, than only on the weekends or to special events.

It is sure to get scratches and scrapes, but I am aware of that.

Yes, windows will fog up (so I am fitting a rear demister) it will get hot in summer (fitting air con and it will have a heater fitted for winter fog), hard to park (no doubt! These things are huge but I am fitting power steering) Fuel costs - It will use more than my current daily, so it is going straight gas.

Modern cars are great to drive, but give me the sound and feel of a classic V8 anyday

[Scott]

Take an XA-C Ute & a damaged BA/BF XR8 Ute or even better, Super Pursuit - install everything from suspension, driveline to interior. Might take a year or two and tens of thousands of dollars, but would be a pretty sweet ride I think.

[Kingsley]

There's an old fella up here in Maitland who drives a black late 50's Chrysler Royal as a daily driver. I still see a lot of 70's Holden ute's around too. If your willing to put up with the early models shortcommings plus the inevitible dings in car parks, then go for it. Be prepared to to fretting over where you park it and the assurity it'll be there when you get back.

[XR_Strider_GuY]

As everyone has pointed out, its not the issue of can the car serve as a daily driver. It's more of enduring the maintenance cost and miss fortunes of daily commuting.

I say classics need to be driven no question. Leaving it in a shed for months on end ruins their drivability. But at the same time I wouldn't go as far as driving them everyday.

What I do is drive my Corvette every so often to work if the weather is nice and normally Friday's. It really makes the end of the week fun and you have cut your chances of miss fortunes by 4/5ths yet still keep the car all nice and ready as its driven.

Having said that I was out at Bayfords during a said nice Friday midday drive during lunch and had a transit van reverse into it.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by XR_Strider_GuY

What I do is drive my Corvette every so often to work if the weather is nice and normally Friday's. It really makes the end of the week fun and you have cut your chances of miss fortunes by 4/5ths yet still keep the car all nice and ready as its driven.

Brightens other drivers day too when they see an "early" on the road ..

[XCwillo]

DUDE

You want to be in my shoes then?
I got a 1977 XC falcon ute as a daily


Had it for the past year, luckily had no one crash into me (Im 18 and have a license, its impossible for me to crash, I'm invincible!)

My sound system is loud as balls, have an Amp mounted on the wall between the two seats, powering 2 6x9's that sit behind the head rests as well as 2 6's in the doors



I have a 2.5inch exhaust dumped at the diff, its loud, but with the windows up all you can hear is a drone that will blow your ears out less violently then with the windows open, so if you go all the way to the back and get some good sound proofing in the cabin, it can be a lot quiter (small cabin = less room for noise to rebound around)

Not many people have the XA-XC utes any more, so I say go for it!
I'd love for a sparky to come round in a Awesome ute!

[LOCO XP]

yeah go for it! I use my EH wagon as a daily, about 300km each week of cruisy country miles. Good audio, great handling and plush seats makes for a great drive. Heating and aircon would be a nice addition, as would an auto. Demister (lack thereof) and lousy wipers can be a nuisance, fuel economy isn't great etc.... With the right setup and reasonable expectations, the enjoyment and attention in my experiance far outweighs the negatives. The wife has given up on me parking the EH and using our EF as a daily driver.... Yes it has the safety, economy and creature comforts of power steering and aircon etc.... but I love classic cars, and love that I am able to enjoy using one on a regular basis

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by xy500

what a load of crap, I'd say the ride is way better in 70's car than a late model, way smoother - like riding on a cloud. If your door seals aren't perished and 40 years old there shouldn't be any wind noise. Rattles shouldn't be there at all, I'd say even less likely thanks to the luxurious suspension. Handling is fine if you harden up the suspension, but you lose the ride quality eventually, stock handling is fine for average driving anyway. NOTHING smells better than 70's vinyl! Brakes work plenty good if you have ventilated discs, and as the car is actually significantly lighter than a late model braking distances are better.
Believe it or not but "modern" cars aren't as good as you can get, there is and will be improvements in the future.

Well out of experience, in my early 80's vehicle, the only thing that squeaks is the brake pedal, the only rattle is the steering rack, offroad. Brakes suffer from brake fade when they' re used hard consistently (non ventilated front, drums on back). Has a fair amount of body roll but the suspension is original after 29 years, it does that. Bumps are harsher too. No wind noise and no leaks whatsoever. No power steering, no power windows, no electronic powertrain control. So much more less to go wrong.
I prefer to hear and feel my car and control every aspect of it.

Trade off is less saftey, less fuel efficiency, bit harder to manouver, parts are way harder to find and can get expensive to source and less bells and whistles.

[Kowalski]

Absolutely go for it.
I have my XP wagon as my daily and woudln't change it for anything.
Have upgraded the drivetrain & brakes, and restored/refurbished the seals, seats, heater etc. Everything works, nothing rattles, and thanks to dynamat, nice & quiet inside too.
If you do it right, there's no reason not to use everyday, even fine on petrol!

[The Yeti]

What your talking about is more than a daily as you plan on using it for your busienss

this is cool but you need to be realistic and build and restore it for this purpose

Having owned an XC ute I think there a great car I personaly never had an issue with vission but I'm nearly 6' tall. if I were to build one up as a car for my busienss / mobile business card, lets face it a tidy classic with your business name plastered on it will stand out alot more than a FG ute with the same livery

I dont know weather a V8 is the best choice for this but thats not a big deal if I were to go an 8 I woulf definatly go LPG on a late windsor, this can be done as easy or as complex as you like but a late Windsor built for gas but with Carb manifol running an Impco 425, electronic ignition all simple and reliable, trans the 4spd auto out of the same beast as the engine would be an easy choise, and theres now after market trans control units to solve the computer issues, a disc brake diff out of the same donor vehicle converted for leaf spring and your on your way, front brakes & steering "eh" its up to you as a minimum I would be going XF steering box, stubs calipers and discs but you would be wise to consider a RRS type Rack & Pinion set up that will make it more modern to drive (and considering what your planing well worth thinking about)

inside every thing and I mean every thing is acheavable, you would need AC for what your doing, so the cabin side of things isnt to difficalt to sort out and all the AC moutns will be on a donor motor so its only a matter of cost, power steer we just covered, and electric windows are a personal choise, but some searching will find you some coupe regulators and replacement motors shouldnt be to difficult to sorce

then its on to cabin insulation, danamat all the way my freind, go crazy with it floor fire wall behind the seats, behind the hood lineing, every where this will make it alot quieter

what you need to do is do a costing for this vehicle it WILL cost more than a new vehicel of the same spec do you want that outlay?

[Assassinbm]

used to until recent months alternate between my XY ute(windsor), & 64.5 Mustang 6pot stocker, only reason I no longer use both of these daily is finances little tight, sacrifices made.........Mustang for sale real soon

So I say go for it......