So... You Want an Antique Car?
- Nathanael Logsdon
- Nov 25
- 6 min read
Acquiring an antique automobile to use for your 1910s, 1920s, or 1930s impression is a goal of many. It can, however, come off as a rather daunting task. In this short article, I hope to give some great pointers on how to acquire, learn to drive, and maintain your own vintage vehicle.
First, you need to determine what period of car you want, and what your budget is. Remember that technology advanced quickly from 1910-1940, so if you are intending to drive your car to camping outings or hunting trips, you will probably want something from the very late 1920s or later. These cars are faster, more dependable, and have better braking abilities. They are also more common, and therefore often cheaper than earlier counterparts. If you're looking to get into an early "brass era" car, you'd better have a truck and enclosed trailer to haul it to events as well as a pretty decent budget. These cars survived two world war scrap drives, so they are far less common, though Model T's from about 1912-1915 are still somewhat affordable.
The cheapest 1920s car you can get into is a Model T Ford. These are available everywhere, are easy to repair, and parts are plentiful and affordable. The biggest drawback to the Model T is that it is woefully underpowered. Ford continued to use 19-oughts technology in these cars almost to the end of the 1920s. They are slow, can barely drag themselves up a hill, and the stock brakes are virtually non-existent. That said, there are many accessories that exist to help with this. The addition of the Ruxtell rear end, Warford transmission, and Rocky Mountain brakes are all great historically-correct add-ons that will make the Model T more drivable. In addition, modern solutions like juice brakes, do little to alter the appearance of the historic vehicle and are commonly accepted as a safety necessity on these cars, particularly if you plan to pull a trailer. If you're looking for something that can cruise up to 55 mph and has better brakes and shifting, but is still relatively close to the Model T in affordability and parts availability, I'd recommend the Model A Ford. This car was made from 1928-1931, so it certainly limits you as far as time-era portrayals, however, it is a truly excellent car. In both cases, there are good clubs in every state for both Model Ts and Model As. I highly recommend looking up your local chapter for the car you prefer, joining the club, and getting to know the members. The very best deals on the best cars never make it to Marketplace. They are quietly sold within the membership of the clubs and are never seen by the seeking public at large.
The Big Six Option: Another option for folks who want a better car than a Model T, but would like to stick to an earlier period is to look for a big six automobile. These can be a good bit pricier than a Ford, and often the parts are far less available, however, these cars were built of beefier stuff, and have a tendency not to need as much frequent repair as the Fords do. If money is of no concern, you can't beat a Lincoln, Cadillac, Packard, or other high-end automobile. However, as most of us don't have close to six figures to spend on acquiring a car, I recommend something in the mid-range class. A Buick or Studebaker makes an excellent choice. These cars are capable of reasonable 2-lane highway cruise speeds, generally have excellent brakes, and are much roomier and ride better than Fords. Parts are available, though sometimes you may have to wait for enough people to need the same part that you do for someone to decide to make a run of that part. As a result, you'll find that you never pass up an opportunity to buy a part you don't currently need, so it's good to have a decent amount of additional storage wherever you decide to keep your car.
When determining how much to spend, I highly recommend spending as much as you can. Buy the very best car you can afford. A car that needs a lot of work isn't necessarily the best deal, especially if you are not skilled at wrenching or upholstering. An upholstery job can cost anywhere from $5,000-$10,000. Paint can cost thousands as well. A total rebuild on a Model T engine and transmission, if outsourced, will run you over $4,000. Heaven help you if the car needs wood! (Yes, most of these cars, with the exception of Dodge Brothers, have extensive amounts of wood inside the body that creates the structure of the car.) Unless you are doing everything yourself, a $3,000 Model T that needs everything will cost you far more than a parade-ready $10,000 car. Keep this in mind while shopping, and don't be swayed by that super-cheap car on Marketplace.
Find a friend! The absolute best advice I can give anyone looking to get started with little or no experience is to find someone in your general area who has the type of car you decide to purchase. People who love these cars love to see more of them on the road. Chances are pretty decent that you can find a nearby mentor who will advise you on the best way to operate your car and keep it on the road.
House-cars, nowadays know as RVs, were one of the least-common camping vehicles of the historic period. They were expensive, bulky, and awkward, and were not useful for anything else other than their intended purpose. Likewise, today, these cars are extremely rare, though that doesn't necessarily equate to expensive. In fact, they are often extremely affordable unless they are fully restored or in excellent original shape. That said, in addition to antique car restoration skills, you'll also need to know something about construction, plumbing, electrical wiring, and restoring antique appliances. They can be a major headaches. They are also normally built on truck chassis, or large touring cars, and weigh a LOT. As a result, they are incredibly slow. They also are too large for an enclosed trailer, so they have to be towed on a flatbed trailer. In many cases, the bodies are as much as seven or eight feet wide, yet the drivetrain is the standard, narrow, five to six feet wide. As a result, these cars sway a lot on a trailer and can be terrifying to tow. House-cars look great and are a ton of fun, but they are not for the faint of heart!
A much better choice, if space for camping gear is needed, is a small camping trailer. There are a good number of these available, from commercial rigs to homemade setups. They can be a lot of fun to restore, because they are remarkably simple. You can make new canvas for your trailer, or reach out to a vintage canvas tent company to replicate it. I highly recommend Spring Valley Lodges or Tentsmiths for this sort of work. Spring Valley Lodges has been working on some excellent reproductions of 1920s auto-camping tents lately as well. You can also build your own trailer. I recommend starting with a Model T axle and wheels, and a pair of full elliptical buggy springs, easily acquired from your local Amish community. Build a wooden frame and box, and make whatever canvas you want with a framework to set it up. There are a number of early plans available for do-it-yourself camping trailers that were published in the period in magazines like Popular Mechanics. Red Stone Projects also features a selection of original 1930s camping trailer plans, for those interested in later periods. More early trailer examples Here. Be sure to check out the RV Hall of Fame Museum if you're ever near Elkhart, Indiana.
Once you determine what the perfect historic camping vehicle is for you, be sure to check out Logsdon & Co. for all the clothing, camping and sporting outing gear you need!
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