Manual brakes are necessary if you are going for full authenticity when restoring your vintage ride. When stacked up against power brakes though, you are going to have less control and power when stopping the vehicle. While this might not be much of an issue if you will be using it almost solely on the car show circuit, you’ll probably notice a big difference if this is your daily driver. Let us take a brief look into the merits of both systems so you can make the best choice for your particular classic car situation.
Power Brake System
A power brake system consists of a power brake booster that is attached to the master cylinder. This booster helps the master cylinder piston apply the force needed to stop the vehicle more quickly and with less effort on your part. This force usually comes from vacuum pressure from either a vacuum pump or the engine.
While the conversion from the stock braking system of a classic car is simply a matter of replacing the manual master cylinder via a bolt-in installation, the key to maintaining the utmost in safety is to make sure that you make the switch from a single reservoir master cylinder to a dual reservoir master cylinder.
Manual Brake System
If you are a die-hard stickler for authenticity, then a manual brake system is the way to go for your vintage car. That is because manual brakes do not have the added advantage of having power assistance that kicks in when you depress the brake pedal.
Another advantage of sticking to a manual system is that there are fewer parts to work with because it is a simpler system. The master cylinder doesn’t have a power brake booster. This means you have fewer parts that can wear out and that you will have to replace.
If you are like a lot of vintage car owners, you simply like the feel of manual brakes. They give you more feedback and can add to your authentic experience.
Which One is Right for You?
The decision for choosing the right brake system depends largely on how you use your classic car. Do you simply take it to local events and car shows with the occasional meandering drive in your neighborhood? Or do you use it as your daily driver, take it across the country to far-flung events and drive it frequently?
If the first scenario describes you better, you can probably get away with manual brakes. If you decide manual brakes are right for you and your car, it is at least a good idea to convert your single reservoir if your classic still has one to a master cylinder with dual reservoirs. This way you will have the extra security of having front and rear braking systems that are separate from one another. It might not be “correct” in a judge’s eyes but the additional safety it provides is well worth it.
Those of you that fall into the second category outlined above definitely need to upgrade to a power brake system that would include a dual reservoir master cylinder. Conversion kits are designed with safety in mind, so you know you are always getting the highest quality equipment.
