Driver Skills

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2009/5/19 12:02:02

Somewhere in the recent TreadleVac-a-mania threads there was a comment about brake fade with drum brakes. I posted what I thought was an very important point relative to collector cars and especially newer folks entering the hobby with regard to their preparedness, from both a skill and awareness of maintenance viewpoint, to operate these cars safely. Forgive me if I'm being repetitive but I thought it important enough to paste into a new thread. You could give similar cautions about lack of awareness of maintenance needs, like periodic brake fluid flush and refill, headlight aiming, etc.

I'm essentially a purist and wouldn't consider changing from drum brakes but the fact is that people today are less-skillful drivers than driver's needed to be in the past. For example brake fade is unknown to today's drivers but driver's of my age grew up with it and were taught how to minimize it and manage it. My 56 Carib has the same brake system as you Patrician, and on driving tours in very hilly country like the Finger Lake region of New York I've experienced brake fade any number of times. But I learned to use lower gears on steep downgrades and otherwise alter my driving habits and thus it's not a problem. But for a guy who just stepped out of his Lexus into his first vintage drum-brake car, it could well be a problem because he has no idea that a different set of driving skills may be required, depending on the vintage of the car. Many of today's newby collectible car owners want the glamor of an old car, but aren't willing (or don't think they have to) to learn the skills that accompany such cars. We can play an important role in that regard via forums such as these.