From its flowing frame designed with pencil and artistry alone, to elegant panels fashioned by skilled craftsmen with simple tools, there’s something truly special about a classic car. A lovingly restored '66 Mustang convertible, '56 Thunderbird, or even a brass-era 1914 Premier may just be a dream car for those who look back fondly on the analog days of auto manufacturing.
For grease monkeys especially, there's the added bonus of being able to tinker around on cars uninhibited by the complexity of on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems. Instead, the driver is a direct extension of the car’s harmonious, unfiltered machinery. But clients who’ve invested in a classic car may also want to enjoy the convenience—and safety features—afforded by smart car technology.
There are many connected car features on the market for older cars, but they often rely on the OBD port in models built since 1996. This allows them to provide a variety of data that can help diagnose engine problems or employ a combination of camera and radar technology to enable forward-collision and lane-departure alerts. The question is, can vintage cars built before the advent of OBD, and its predecessors in the late ‘70s, still be adapted into the modern age? In short, yes.
Lane Departure Warning System—Some products on the market, such as the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS100) from Advent, can be hardwired into a classic vehicle, where the device itself is easily concealed behind the rearview mirror. The LDWS100 discerns traffic lane markings, vehicles ahead, and offers lane departure and forward collision warning systems—both of which use unique alert tones. It’s equipped with a DVR that provides records of driving routes as well as events the driver has been involved in. Plus, the driver can adjust the warning sensitivity, frequency and volume levels via a wireless remote for a personalized experience. At the moment, the LDWS100 goes for about $500.
For much less, however, clients can also utilize the connection they already tote around everywhere they go—the smartphone.
Smart Navigation—Your client might be well aware of Google Maps and Waze, but they may not know about apps like HUDWAY, which turns a smartphone into a head-up display (hence, “HUD”) on the dashboard. That means data on the smartphone can be presented on the windshield so that drivers don’t have to take their eyes off the road or remove their hands from the steering wheel. HUDWAY works off of Google Maps, Apple Maps and OpenStreetMap, all of which enable global coverage. It provides useful information regarding current speed, preempts drivers to slow down and alerts them of dangerous curves ahead with a combination of voice assistant and visual aids. The app only costs $50, requires a dash mount for $10, and doesn’t necessitate special film for the windshield.
Anti-Sleep Apps—Is a client planning on bringing their roadster to a car show across the state? If they’re worried about driver fatigue along the way, they may be in luck. Using computer vision and machine learning algorithms, apps like Driver Alarm and Drive Awake are able to monitor drowsiness cues like head position, direction and eye blinking rate. When the app detects drowsiness or distraction, it warns the driver with both an audible and visual alert. Other apps, like Anti Drowse, set predetermined alarms at various intervals—depending on the length of the trip—to keep drivers awake. Similarly, Stay Awake Pro acts as a surrogate live passenger, where a voice named Victoria prompts drivers to repeat words. If they miss a word, an alarm will sound, jolting the driver into alertness or prompting them to pull over and get some shut-eye.
These unique apps can be especially vital, considering fatigued drivers are vulnerable to bouts of micro-sleep, in which they’re at a much higher risk of causing an accident. What’s more, people are typically unaware of lapsing into micro-sleep and believe they’ve been awake the whole time. In fact, some of these apps sound alarms when eyes are closed for more than 500 milliseconds—a telltale sign of micro-sleep.