Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22438 Location: UK

Hi all,

Not wishing to tempt fate or anything, but it's a consideration when driving an oldie. Only a couple of weeks ago I was out in little Dodge, our road was closed for some reason so we had to divert down the lanes for a mile or so. Negotiating the lanes at our usual (very) leisurely pace, we nearly had a head-on with a modern Merc in a hurry, where the road narrowed to a single car's width.

A few hundred yards further on, a big Jap 4x4 pickup thing came at us from a turning on the left, its driver clearly hadn't spotted the unpainted junction, and nearly slid into the side of us, wheels locked etc.

Does the thought of an accident ever cross your mind while at the wheel? Perhaps this is one reason that many old cars are "high days and holidays" only now?

RJ
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Rootes75 · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 12:10 pm Post subject:

I feel safe with my own driving but its other road users I am always wary of. We have had a few instances of being overtaken on bends or being beeped at traffic lights when others cannot accept that we are going slower than they want to be!

There is no respect on the road these days for classics and also the volume of traffic even down here in sleepy Somerset has grown considerably in recent years.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 1:20 pm Post subject:

Oddly enough I generally feel safer in the Herald than in the modern - even though I hardly use it these days the switchgear still falls naturally to hand (still keep indicating with wipers in the modern after 3 years!) and it feels a lot more sure-footed when meeting unexpected road conditions. As for the comparitive speed issue, I find I don't get overtaken that often but every time out in either car I seem to get stuck behind one lurker after another - the sort of idiot that likes to sit hunched over the wheel and crawl along main roads in perfect weather at 35mph. IMO they are the real hazard.

Keith D · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 2:08 pm Post subject:

I get a bit unsettled when I'm driving the Austin Seven on country roads. The Chrysler is fine; it's as big or bigger than the 4 x 4's that seem to enjoy intimidating everything else in their way.

Keith
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1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

I feel very safe in the knowledge that in a head-on collision the steering wheel will push me back in my seat thus preventing me from being thrown through the windscreen.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire

emmerson · Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1268 Location: South East Wales

Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire

In a week's time our trip to Goodwood will be the first we'll have made in the Riley wearing seat belts. After decades of mishap-free classic driving without them the driving antics of other road users has convinced me I'd rather have them than not. It's a simple matter of self preservation.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

Peter_L · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 7:59 pm Post subject:

I didn't mind driving anything in the UK. After moving here in 2002, a neighbour had a Dodge. (Just like the one Rick owns) , the neighbour imported it from Norway and spent years putting it back together.

I drove it few times. Along the straights and turning right (we drive on the right) was no problem, but turning left when in traffic or a two lane road, it was truly scary. With no flashing indicators and just hand signals that virtually no one recognised as signal of intent, even if they saw it most didn't have a clue what it meant.

One evening, after a few drinks we absconded to his garage and cut out a plywood arrow. Painted it orange and added black lettering. "TURNING LEFT"

It was a huge failure ! and had some close calls with some drivers nearly hitting the back of us as they stared at the sign....

Ellis · Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2017 9:32 pm Post subject:

I sometimes feel a little vulnerable in the 2a Land Rover and I agree that owners of large 4x4 owners can be a menace especially on country lanes.
I have a theory about that - the people who buy them have bought a vehicle which is too big for them and their driving abilities.
Look at the size of a modern Range Rover or a 4x4 double cab pick up - they really are big.

On the other hand, should owners of modern vehicles be wary of us?

Two weeks ago the 2a was parked outside our local bakery and I was in the queue inside to pay for my bread and pies. We all heard a loud bang as a new style VW Beetle pulled into the kerb to park.
It's nearside was badly dented and scratched - passenger door and rear panel.
A sheepish looking gentleman asked who owned "the old Land Rover" outside.
I put my hand up and he called me outside.

He had misjudged his turn in to park and had hit the nearside rear military style bumperette on my 2a. We both went to examine any damage to mine - nothing, just a light scuffing on the right angle galvanizing!

It was nothing worth claiming for. We shook hands and went our separate ways. I estimated the damage to the VW - new n/s door and rear panel - £800 - £1000 perhaps.

Before you all say it, yes, I know "...they don't make 'em like that any more..."
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2148 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

I've never worried too much about safety when driving my Austin Somerset as if I did, I'd never use it! I trust my driving skills enough to avoid the majority of idiots on the road.
Mind you, I had a near miss at the weekend. Driving along a wide B road near Norwich, I slowed down, flicked my indicator on (LED flashers, so bright) and moved to the centre line to turn right. I came to a stop because a car was coming the other way. Once that one had passed, I started to turn but had to stamp on the brake pedal because some absolute moron decided to overtake me on my outside. He swerved around me, came off the road and kicked up a load of dust while blowing his horn and then sped off into the distance. Both my girlfriend and I were quite shaken up by this, and I actually pulled over , got out and checked that the indicators were working, which they were. The stupid thing is he could have easily gone past on the nearside, there was loads of room. Instead he very nearly caused a nasty accident and with no seatbelts in my A40, we wouldn't have come off well.
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Richard Hughes

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6304 Location: Derby

Ronniej · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 12:19 pm Post subject:

I am very conscious that neither of my oldies would offer any protection in an accident. Both would collapse like egg boxes and I don't want to think where the steering wheel would go in a head-on!
Having said that, I enjoy driving them and accept this is a risk I must run.

lowdrag · Joined: 10 Apr 2009 Posts: 1585 Location: Le Mans

As above really. No seat belts in a car that is happy cruising at 90 mph where permitted. I think one has to be a fatalist to drive classics these days.