Not All Old Vehicles Are Maintenance Nightmares
Owning an older vehicle can be a ton of fun. Maintaining them, though? That's a different story! Certain models are a nightmare in that regard. But not all classic cars pose that problem. In fact, there are plenty that you could easily fix up yourself with the correct tools and parts. And we'll be running through a selection of those vehicles right here. We hope you're ready, folks.
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is a very alluring motor. Who wouldn't want to own one! But are the classic models hard to fix up by yourself? Not really. There are plenty of guides available to help you through the process. And best of all, parts for both the exterior and interior aren't tough to source today.
Pontiac Firebird
Is the Pontiac Firebird the easiest of cars to fix up? Probably not. It does pose some challenges! But don't let that put you off, folks. DIY restoration isn't impossible. Replacement parts are readily available today, while the vehicle's enthusiastic fan base is always willing to share advice via forums or other online spaces.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaros from the late 1960s are absolutely gorgeous. It's tough to take your eyes off them! But are these classic cars DIY-friendly — especially when it comes to repairs? Well, we've got some good news. From the simple mechanical layout under the hood to the availability of replacement parts, you shouldn't have a problem fixing one up.
Oldsmobile Cutlass
We won't beat around the bush here — the Oldsmobile Cutlass is a thing of beauty. We wouldn't blame anyone for gawking at it! Can you fix this car up by yourself, though? Absolutely. Replacement parts and components are still simple enough to find. That's good to hear, right?
Chevrolet Chevelle
The Chevrolet Chevelle is an undisputed classic. It's something of a mainstay at car shows today. And that in itself is quite telling. This motor's fairly straightforward to fix, especially when it comes to the engine. There's so many replacement parts to find in aftermarket circles right now.
Pontiac GTO
As one of the granddady's of American muscle cars, the Pontiac GTO is still a tremendous vehicle to own. And this is sure to please you, too. Thanks to the sheer number of used and reproduced parts in the wild today, you can fix up a '70s GTO quite easily. Awesome!
Chevrolet El Camino
The Chevrolet El Camino is a real icon. Its unique design continues to fascinate folks today! But is it a simple car to repair now? Well, the body does pose a bit of a challenge. It's a different story under the hood, though. The vehicle's mechanical components are easy to replace.
Ford Model A
While it might not have had the same revolutionary impact as the Model T, the Ford Model A is still seen as a very important car. It was hugely popular in the late 1920s. And despite its age, it isn't a hard motor to repair today. Replacement parts are easy enough to find.
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar is a fabulous vehicle. It still looks absolutely amazing on the road! Is it tough to maintain today, though? Not really. The first generation motors in particular are quite simple to repair. You see, those cars share a lot of the same parts with the early Mustangs.
Volkswagen Beetle
Is the Volkswagen Beetle the most iconic car ever created? It's got to be in the conversation, right! This motor has been hugely popular over the past few decades. And that's great news for owners of older models. With so many vintage Beetles knocking around, finding replacement parts isn't difficult today.
Chevrolet Nova
The Chevrolet Nova might not be as luxurious as the Chevelle, but it's still an awesome muscle car to own. It looks fabulous. Is it a headache to fix up yourself, though? Not really. Given how many Novas were produced during the first three generations, replacement parts are easy enough to source.
MG MGB
Are you struck by the MG MGB's appearance? We don't blame you! It's a visually-stunning classic. And this is sure to perk your interest even further. Thanks to the car's simple mechanical setup and the wide availability of parts, it's a fairly easy motor to work on at home.
Morris Minor
It's not hard to understand why the Morris Minor continues to resonate. It's reliable, fun to drive, and very easy to maintain. That last point will no doubt please DIYers! There's scores of spare parts in the wild, while Minor specialists are always on-hand to give advice online.
Mazda MX-5
A modern classic, the Mazda MX-5 first went into production at the end of the 1980s. And it's still going strong today. But are those earlier models a nightmare to look after now? Nope! Replacement components aren't hard to find, while the basic design of the MX-5 gives you an advantage, too.
Mini
It could be argued that the classic Mini is the most recognizable car ever built. It's easy to spot! But is this motor DIY-friendly when it comes to repairs? Absolutely. In addition to the huge availability of replacement parts, there are tons of books about the Mini's inner workings that you can get your hands on, too.
Triumph Spitfire
The Triumph Spitfire is a gorgeous motor. You could gawk at it all day, right! Having said that, is it a pain to own one now? Not quite. The car's engine is very easy to access if you need to make repairs. And other spare parts are available thanks to the Spitfire's dedicated fanbase.
Austin-Healey Sprite
Have you ever seen a cuter-looking classic car than the Austin-Healey Sprite? That "face" sure is something! It's also a fairly simple motor to fix up today. The mechanical side of the vehicle isn't complex and parts are easy source, as it shares many components with the Morris Minor and Mini.
Ford Fiesta Mk1 & Mk2
The Ford Fiesta is a great car to fix up if you're a DIYer — especially the Mk1 and the Mk2 vehicles. These motors are about as straightforward as they come on the mechanical front. And sourcing replacement parts is easy. You won't have a problem finding what you need.
Hillman Imp
The Hillman Imp is a grossly underrated motor. It's very stylish and boasts a nice rear-engine. On top of that, it's quite easy to maintain today. The mechanical side of the car isn't too complex to work on, such as the steering, transmission, and drum brakes.
Ford Capri
Often referred to as "Europe's Mustang," the Ford Capri is an absolute beauty of a car. But will you be left tearing your hair out when working on one, though? Probably not. The vehicle's simple mechanical design makes it ideal for DIYers, and replacement parts can be found via Capri specialists.
Citroen 2CV
The Citroen 2CV is a bona fide classic. It enjoyed a lengthy 42-year production run that eventually ended in 1990. And here's some good news for DIY mechanics — it's a fairly straightforward motor to fix up. Replacement body panels aren't hard to find, and they won't cost you the earth.
Land Rover Series III
The Land Rover Series III is a cool motor to own today. Why? Well, in addition to being a classic model, it's not that difficult to maintain. Its mechanical design is pretty easy to navigate, while spare parts are readily available via specialists and clubs. Nice!
Ford Cortina Mk4
Is the Ford Cortina Mk4 a fun car to work on today? We'd say so. This motor ticks a ton of boxes for DIYers. It has a simple design, offers easy access to the engine, and replacement parts aren't hard to source. What more could you ask for?
Dodge Dart
The Dodge Dart from the late 1960s is an easy car to like. It's reliable, looks fantastic on the road, and isn't that tough to fix up now. Replacement parts and components are readily available for decent prices, so you won't have to spend big money, either.
Plymouth Barracuda
There's no other way of saying it, folks — the Plymouth Barracuda is a magnificent motor. It still looks incredible today! But is it a nightmare to fix up at home? No way. It's a very DIY-friendly car, with readily available spare parts.
AMC AMX
The AMC AMX is an awesome car to look at. Will fixing it up at home cause headaches, though? No chance! This vehicle has a very basic mechanical design, which is great news for DIYers. Replacement parts aren't difficult to source, either.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is an undisputed icon. It's one of the finest muscle cars ever created. And owning one now is pretty awesome. You won't have trouble finding parts if something goes wrong with it, as production numbers were high during the late '60s.
Ford F-150
Stylish? Check. Reliable? Check. Easy to maintain? You bet! Yes, the Ford F-150 is a DIY mechanic's dream. The sixth generation in particular makes for a simple fix. Its straightforward mechanical design isn't tough to navigate and spare parts can be found with little issue.
Chevrolet Bel Air
We don't blame anyone for feeling intimidated by the Chevrolet Bel Air. Owning one must be tough, right? Well, that's not the case! Thanks to the huge amount of spare parts on the market today, fixing up a second generation Bel Air is surprisingly easy.
Plymouth Valiant
The Plymouth Valiant isn't just a fun car to drive — it's enjoyable to fix up as well! The engine in particular has a bunch of readily available replacement parts on the market, so repairing it isn't a nightmare. Good to hear, right?
Chevrolet C10
The Chevrolet C10 is a '60s favorite. But is it worthy of your time today? Certainly! This vehicle is easy to look after and won't cause much trouble on the repair-front. Its mechanical design is simple, while replacement components aren't difficult to source.
Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
Are the older Jeep Cherokee (XJ) models hard to maintain today? Fortunately not. These vehicles are equipped with a great 4.0-liter inline-six engine that's easy to work on, while replacement parts are seemingly everywhere. Said components are quite cheap, too!
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is such a cool motor. It's a muscle car classic! And good news, folks. Fixing it up is fairly straightforward today. The vehicle doesn't have a complex mechanical set-up, and replacement parts can be sourced quite easily.
Ford Torino
There's no denying that the Ford Torino is a great-looking muscle car. But can you fix it up yourself without any issues? Yep! This motor is ideal for DIY mechanics, as spare parts can be sourced from various online suppliers. You won't be left in the lurch, folks.
Through: Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons