“Beautiful car. Where are you from?” the gas station attendant asked, admiring my vintage Porsche. Oregon still offers full service, and I knew I’d have to point out the fuel filler on my classic car. “LA,” I replied. “That’s a long way in an old car! Aren’t you worried about breaking down?” “Not really,” I said, hoping karma wouldn’t punish my confidence as I started the engine.
The truth is, I had put considerable thought into potential issues for this trip. I’d assembled a well-organized tool kit and packed a few essential spare parts. Owning a vintage car means you often become your own mechanic. Many of us vintage car enthusiasts perform our own maintenance, giving us a solid understanding of what might cause trouble.
Sure, that pristine set of factory tools in a reproduction pouch, meticulously collected from swap meets and eBay, is impressive. They’re fantastic for showing off at concours events and car meets. But the real joy of owning a classic car comes from driving it, not just parking it for admiration.
You probably don’t use your classic car for daily commutes or grocery runs. Instead, you take it to club gatherings hundreds of miles away. You seek out winding roads for some spirited driving. Or, like me, you might think a road trip up Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Portland – about 1000 miles of coastal beauty – is the perfect way to spend a week with your car. There’s an unmatched pleasure in long journeys with your vintage beauty. The experience is far more engaging than in a modern car, with its closed windows, blasting AC, and media distractions, speeding down the interstate.
So, leave that factory-perfect tool kit in your garage. Let’s focus on building a practical tool kit for travel, one that’s effective without adding excessive weight or taking up valuable trunk space.
Consider your journey: Is it a short weekend trip close to home, or a longer adventure covering thousands of miles? The length and remoteness of your trip will influence the “Good Car Tools To Have” in your emergency kit.
Essential Hand Tools for Your Car
Screwdrivers: Obvious, right? But a couple of sturdy flathead and Phillips screwdrivers are invaluable. They’re perfect for tightening a loose fuel line clamp or adjusting various components. I also recommend a small precision screwdriver set – those with interchangeable bits in the handle. You never know when you might need to fix your glasses or some other small item on the go.
1/4-inch Drive Sockets: This might seem small, but a ¼” drive socket set is incredibly versatile for basic car tasks. They handle battery terminals, interior trim, and many other smaller fasteners. They’re compact and easy to pack. Make sure to include several extension lengths. A flexible extension and a screwdriver-style handle are also great additions – the flexible extension is excellent for reaching those hard-to-access hose clamps. Consider adding a set of ¼” drive bits, including Torx, for added versatility.
3/8-inch Drive Sockets: Bring a 3/8” drive ratchet and sockets for car-specific tasks. Keep it focused: definitely include a spark plug socket (the correct size for your car) and a deep socket for your lug nuts. A 3/8” to ¼” adapter expands the usability of your ¼” sockets. Pack an extension or two as well. Check the access to your most challenging spark plug. If a universal joint is needed for removal, include one in your kit.
Allen Wrenches: A folding set of Allen wrenches is compact and covers most common sizes you’ll encounter on cars, especially European models.
Wrenches: Pack a selection of combination open-end/box-end wrenches in specific sizes relevant to your car. For German cars, you’ll often need metric sizes, including those odd-numbered sizes and of course, 10mm. For Japanese cars, definitely include a 12mm wrench. You don’t need a full set; just choose sizes for common tasks on your vehicle. To keep wrenches organized, use a simple bolt trick: take a 3-inch 1/4-20 bolt, fender washers, and a wing nut. Stack your box-end wrenches on the bolt with a washer on each end, and secure them with the wing nut. This keeps them neat and prevents rattling.
Pliers and Vice Grips: Water pump pliers (Knipex 10-inch are excellent – and have a bonus use of unclogging hotel shower heads!), needle-nose pliers (electrician-style with crimping function are even better), and Vice-Grips are all essential. If you carry a Leatherman or similar multi-tool, you might already have needle-nose pliers covered. Vice grips are incredibly useful for temporarily clamping hoses or gripping rounded bolts.
Breaker Bar: A 24-inch breaker bar paired with your lug nut socket makes tire changes much easier. Plus, a sturdy 24-inch bar can serve as an impromptu self-defense tool if needed!
Electrical Tools and Tire Repair Essentials
Ignition Wire Pliers: These specialized pliers are designed to grip spark plug boots, not the wires themselves, preventing damage when removing spark plug wires. Protecting your ignition wires is crucial for keeping your engine running smoothly.
Wiring Kit: Always carry diagonal cutters, a crimper/stripper tool, crimp connectors, and electrical tape. A simple test light with a pointed probe and alligator clip is invaluable for diagnosing electrical issues. These “good car tools to have” for electrical repairs can save you from being stranded by a simple wiring problem.
Jumper Cables: Even with a new battery, pack jumper cables. They make jump-starting your car or assisting others much easier. You might even make a new friend by helping someone with a dead battery!
Tire Gauge and Inflation: A tire pressure gauge is a must-have for maintaining correct tire pressure. Consider carrying tire sealant like Fix-a-Flat or Slime for emergency puncture repairs. A small 12V air compressor is also a worthwhile addition for inflating tires after using sealant or topping them off.
Finishing Touches: Utility and Protection
Utility Knife: A folding utility knife is incredibly handy. Use it for cutting fuel lines (carefully!), opening packaging, or even improvising a funnel from a plastic bottle for adding oil or water. It’s a versatile tool to have in your kit.
Gloves: Pack mechanic’s gloves, leather work gloves, and nitrile gloves. Mechanic’s gloves protect your hands while allowing dexterity. Leather gloves are great for heavier tasks. Nitrile gloves are useful for cleaner jobs or when dealing with fluids.
Tool Bag: Choose a compact tool bag to keep everything organized and car-specific. Think creatively – an army surplus bag or even a repurposed vintage bag (maybe not a valuable Louis Vuitton this time!) can work perfectly. The goal is a bag that’s durable, portable, and keeps your “good car tools to have” easily accessible.
This list provides a solid foundation for your travel tool kit. Remember to consider any specialized tools specific to your car model. While we’ve covered tools here, spare parts are another crucial aspect of roadside preparedness, which we’ll explore in a future article. Being well-tooled is the first step to confident classic car touring.
