Basic, Better, Best – Car Tool Kits

You own a classic car, so by definition you’re a handy sort. After all, to own a classic car is to be familiar with the spanners. Old cars need constant care and attention, and things can come out of sync or just outright stop working without notice. But, because of your aforementioned handiness, it’s no trouble for you. In fact, if you’re anything like us, you’ll relish the challenge of curing your classic’s latest failure. But only if you have the tools to do so. If your classic comes to a spluttering halt in the middle of nowhere, you’re only going to be able to fix it if you have the right tool to hand.

Of course, unless your classic is a Transit, you can’t be driving around with your garage in the back. Nor, at the other end of the scale, do you want a selection of loose tools rolling around the boot. You need something designed with travel in mind. Happily, there are many options out there. Carefully curated small tool kits that can bee hidden away in the boot or under the seats until such time they are needed. And that’s what we’re looking at here. Perfect for those unexpected moments, a mechanic’s tool kit is just the ticket. It may well get you out of trouble, it might be the saviour of a fellow enthusiast who breaks down in your company (the car, not a mental breakdown – that’s not our area of expertise) or it might just give you the peace of mind required to drive your car that little bit further. Whatever your reasoning, it’s worth having one.

BASIC

This little tool kit from Hi-Spec is the perfect problem solver to have hidden away in your boot. You get a selection sockets, a ratchet, extensions, knuckles and even a hex multi-tool. You get a screwdriver with a selection of bits, and you get pliers – both bull and needle nose – an adjustable spanner and finally, a circuit tester. Are you going to be able to rebuild your classic at the side of the road with this little set? Of course not. But there is enough there to get at typical fixings, spark plugs, pipes and so on. And for a mere £40, it would be rude to not have it stashed in the boot, frankly!

BETTER

We love a Makita product here at Car & Classic. We have one of their bigger tool kits and we swear by it.  Based on our experience with that, this mechanic’s tool kit is going to be well worth having. It builds on what’s in the Hi-Spec set above with more, larger sockets. You also get a set of spanners, too. Then there is the vast range of bits and extensions for the screwdriver. This set is sturdy, it’s exceptionally well made and it will be the perfect aide if something does indeed go wrong with your classic while out and about. It’s only £65, which is a bargain. Buy it, stick it in the boot, and never worry about a breakdown again!

BEST

Finally, we have this big boy from WZG Werkzeug. This briefcase-sized tool kit will happily stow away in the boot until needed, and when it is needed, there will be very little you can’t tackle. You get sockets, a ratchet, grips, pliers, a knife, screwdrivers, a hammer, spanners, tape, scissors, a torch, a circuit tester and even a box of screws and fixings. This is the ultimate ‘on board’ tool kit, make no mistake. The reviews are excellent, the presentation is on point and being German, the quality is there, too. All for £100. You’d be mad, mad we tell you, to not have this on hand. It even comes with a selection of cable ties, and as we all know, cable ties fix everything.