Spring has Sprung…

It’s finally stopped raining where I live, and the sun is now setting late enough to actually enjoy the evenings and get garage work done with the door up. Time to get your jalopy project running and think about what shows, races, or road trips you might want to hit this Summer. It’s also an opportunity to do a few safety checks on your vintage vehicle, and make sure everything is up to snuff. Breaking down is one thing, but getting in an accident can be deadly serious.I love my hot rod and custom cars as traditional and unfettered by modern touches as possible, but there are a few items that are worth inspecting (and retrofitting) if your gonna have your best girl ridding shotgun, or have the kids bouncing around in the back seat:

1. Brakes- Check the master cylinder, wheel cylinders and brake lines for leakage or weak pressure- Top off your brake fluid and adjust the parking brake cables. You might wanna pop off the drums and inspect the shoes for excessive or uneven wear. Consider upgrading to dual circuit brakes if your current system is suspect or faulty.

2. Seat Belts- Installing a pair of aircraft-style lap belts will keep folks in the car without cramping your vintage style. A 3 point belt system is much safer, preventing upper bodies from kissing a steering wheel or metal dash. When you mount the seat belts, use high grade hardware and large washers under the floor to help take the load.

3. Tires- Replace those bald or patchy tires now- Make sure your fresh skins are balanced properly and have new tubes (when applicable). If you don’t carry a spare tire, at lease have the tire iron and jack to take the dead soldier off, if need be.

4. Electrical- Make sure your horn works (not just the Ahooga or Bermuda Bell) loud enough for that idiot in the Prius to hear when he cuts you off. Do your brake lights work? Try em’ out before you hit the road…

5. Kitchen Sink- Everything else I’m forgetting here. Steering box grease, door latches, and anything small that might be easy to take for granted-  until it fails. Tighten all the hardware that could fly off and hurt somebody, let alone yourself.

Enjoy the Spring, and hopefully I’ll see you on the road… Not on the side of it!

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