Improving your classic car for £100 or less copy

As the cost of living continues to rise, the expense of running a classic car can have many of us feeling the pinch, but there are still lots of affordable jobs that won’t break the bank. We’re not talking about expensive rebuilds or complex reassembly – just quick, cheap, satisfying jobs to enhance the looks and performance of your car. 

Even if you’re a novice when it comes to DIY maintenance, we explore seven simple ways you can improve your classic from as little as £10. 

 

Credit - VW newsroom 

New decals 

No, we’re not talking about a tailgate sticker to let the person behind you know your car is powered by fairydust. Time isn’t always kind to the vinyl decals your car wore when it was new, but lots of companies will now sell you exact replicas of the ones originally fitted. For as little as £10, you can proudly tell the world your Ford Capri has fuel injection once again. Sometimes, it’s all in the details. 

This can also be a satisfying job to perform under the bonnet by replacing your tired engine bay stickers with a matching set, especially if you spend a few hours degreasing and cleaning the area beforehand.  

Always try and remove existing decals before applying new ones - this is easily done with careful use of an adhesive remover which is suitable for use on your paintwork.  

Estimated cost: From £10 

 

Credit - The Car Spy via Flickr 

Modern bulb upgrade  

Using a classic car at night can be an uncomfortable experience if you’re used to more modern machinery. The headlamps in most new vehicles are brighter than ever before thanks to the use of LEDs, which can create a dazzling contrast against good old fashioned halogen units. The good news is your local motor factor will supply you with higher performance halogen bulbs that can increase your visibility by up to 200% as a direct replacement, without the need to upgrade to LED. 

If you are interested in further enhancement, take note that the age-related rules around LED headlight upgrades changed in 2021. According to the DVSA, vehicles manufactured before 1 April 1986 aren’t required to use type approved ‘E’ headlight bulbs – so converting a halogen, or other headlamp on such a vehicle to use LED bulbs is well within the law. 

Estimated cost: From £30 

Credit - Volvo Car Group 

Black plastic renovation 

Black plastic trim often fades to grey over time, but there’s a wide range of popular methods for fixing this. Some owners swear by boiled linseed oil for getting bumpers back to black, while others prefer gentle use of a heat gun, which brings oil to the surface of the dried-out material and restores the black colour. 

We’d recommend starting with a proper black plastic restorer made by the experts. Many detailing specialists offer sprays and conditioning gels that guarantee to revive even the most neglected black plastics - costing around £10 and promising to transform tired trims and bumpers in as little as an hour. You’ll be amazed at the difference this quick and easy job can make. 

Estimated cost: From £10 

 

Credit – Porsche AG

Wheel refurbishment 

Tidying up a set of alloys can transform the way a car looks but doesn’t always require hundreds of pounds on powder coating. If you’re willing to invest the time and effort, alloy wheel refurbishment is a job that’s easily achievable on a driveway or in a garage over a weekend. Remember that preparation is key - you’ll need to remove the alloys and give them a thorough clean before you begin carefully sanding down the entire wheel, beginning with low grade abrasive sandpaper and gradually working towards a higher-grade for a smooth finish. 

Invest in high quality paints and primers and, most importantly, take your time. If you’re leaving the tyres on, a good tip is to deflate them slightly to allow you to mask them more easily before you begin. 

Estimated cost: £60 

Upgrade your stereo or speakers 

Upgrading your sound system is a great way to make long journeys more pleasurable, most modern aftermarket head units being equipped with Bluetooth and DAB radio capability as standard. Your options will depend on the car you’re working on - generally speaking, an entry level head unit will start from around £80, and the job is easily achievable using an online installation guide. A top of the range, brand new head unit can cost up to £400, but you might find a second-hand unit that’s still in perfectly good working order for a fraction of the cost. 

Upgraded door or dash speakers are also a good idea and can start from around £20 per pair. Don’t forget to do your research before purchasing to check compatibility… and don’t forget to let your insurer know if you’re planning a non-factory upgrade. 

Estimated cost: From £20 (speakers) / From £80 (head unit) 

A full service 

There’s no substitute for proper vehicle maintenance, especially where classic cars are concerned. Older cars are usually much easier to work on than their modern equivalents, so a full service might be a job you can do yourself at home. Factory recommendations from back in the day don’t always stand the test of time, so consider servicing your vehicle more frequently than the manufacturer recommended when your car was new. 

We won’t go into too much detail on how to service specific vehicles - you’ll need to consult a service and repair manual for that - but doing this yourself can be cheap, easy and satisfying if you can get your hands on a driveway, a set of ramps and a socket set. 

To give you an idea of how affordable servicing your own car can be, let’s take the writer’s own 1990 Volkswagen Golf GTI as an example: 

• 5 litres of 10W40 engine oil - £25 
• New oil filter - £7 
• New air filter - £10 
• A set of 4 new spark plugs - £18 

Estimated cost: £60 

A ‘pre-MOT’ check 

Even the most fastidiously maintained classics can benefit from a regular inspection. A pre-MOT check is always worthwhile to help you stay legal, even if your car is over 40 years old and exempt from a mandatory annual test. 

A 15-minute visual inspection costs nothing and can highlight potential issues before they arise. This quick, seven step checklist isn’t a match for the comprehensive MOT inspection - think of it instead as a pre-flight check to perform before driving your car, especially if you haven’t done so for a while. 

1. Check your tyres have at least 1.6mm of tread – if your tyres don’t have tread wear indicators, place a 20p coin in the groove of your tyre. If the outer band is obscured, your tyres are safe. You should also check the age of your tyres and make sure they appear in good condition, with no perishing or damage to the sidewalls. 
2. Check your engine oil and coolant levels, topping up with the correct types for your engine if necessary.  
3. Give the underneath of your vehicle a quick visual inspection. Look out for any leaks from the engine and ancillaries, start the engine and listen for any unusual noises that might suggest your exhaust is ready for replacement. 
4. Make sure your number platelate is clean and in good condition – a pair of high-quality front and rear items should cost no more than £50 if your current plates are looking a little tired. 
5. Check your car windscreen for any cracks or chips, test your windscreen wipers can still clear your screen effectively and top up your washer fluid. 
6. Test all the lights on your vehicle operate properly, including headlights, sidelights, fog lights, number platelate lights, tail and brake lights, and indicators. While you’re in the cabin, check your horn is also working properly. 
7. Drivers’ seatbelts have been mandatory since 1983 - if your car has them, check they all secure, adjust and retract as they should, with no cuts or fraying. 

Estimated cost: Free 

Have you recently improved your classic for £100 or less? Tell us how in the comments below.