When you drive a classic car you are taking major responsibility for not only your safety, but also the safety of anyone who is riding with you.  While your car may look fantastic, we encourage you not to kid yourself over who would win in an accident, a 1960 Ford Mustang or a 2009 Ford Excursion SUV.

Remember, in classic cars, the brake system is going to be much weaker than that found in a modern car, additionally, most older cars are not going to have seat belts or wheel padding, let alone air bags to keep you safe.

Therefore, your safety is dependent upon you.  You must make sure that you are driving in good weather conditions when driving your classic car.  Additionally, avoid highways and busy roads where other drivers could become distracted by how great the exterior of your car looks and inevitably make you a target.

Even if you have an extremely unusual model, there are resources out there to help. You can find out more about your vehicle history, the parts you need for the job and even the production numbers and schematics by looking at these possible resources:

• The Internet – There are Web sites dedicated to just about every make, model and year car out there. While not all sites offer truly valuable information, many do. Take the time to run a careful search for the information you are after and you will likely find what you need.
• Car clubs – Look around to see if there is a classic club dedicated to your particular make of car. It might even be possible that there are clubs dedicated to the model vehicle you have. These clubs and their members can prove to be one of your most valuable resources before, during and after a restoration project.
• Other owners – Try to seek out others who own your type of car. If they have been through the restoration process personally, they are likely to provide a treasure trove of information. You can advertise for other owners, leave messages on Web sites dedicated to classic cars and even check with classics clubs to find those who are in the know.
• The manufacturer – If the car company is still in business, it is possible that old owner’s manuals and other resources can still be had. It does not hurt to check.

Getting the information you need to properly restore a classic is not as difficult as it sounds. Look around in a few different places and chances are you will find exactly what you need.