There are a wide range of different issues or concerns you may be looking to address if you're restoring a classic car, and one of the most common for many such vehicle owners is noise. Many older classic vehicles make a lot of sound while they run, and while parts of this simply come with the territory and can't be reversed, there are also many ways you can go about making your classic car less noisy on a regular basis.

At Andersen Restoration Parts, we're here to help. While some of the best methods here involve specific forms of restoration and major parts, such as a rebuilt suspension kit that is far less noisy than a prior version, many will require even less effort or material usage than this. Here are some of the simplest ways to go about limiting sound coming from your classic car.

Soundproof Insulation

For many classic cars, one of the key sources of annoying noise comes from various parts that are either loose or not well-insulated. Many noises will come from areas like floors, trunk lids, hoods, the underside of your roof, or other similar areas.

In both of these cases, simply adding new soundproofing insulation can be a major help. This is a relatively easy process that can be done in an afternoon and requires little more than some time and effort spent measuring and tracing out the problem areas.

There are many different types of soundproofing insulation available on the market, so be sure to do some research and find the one that will work best for your particular car model and situation.

Under-Body Insulation

One particular area of insulation we wanted to highlight is under-body insulation. If you've ever driven a classic car without this, you know how much of a difference it can make in reducing the overall noise level.

Under-body insulation is designed to help muffle and absorb sounds coming from the engine, transmission, and exhaust system. It's a relatively easy process to install this type of insulation, and it can make a world of difference in terms of the noise level coming from your car.

There are many different types and brands of under-body insulation available, so be sure to do some research and find the one that will work best for your particular car model and situation.

Consider Muffler Upgrades

In other cases, the primary source of noise may be coming from your car's exhaust system. If this is the case, there are a few different muffler upgrades you can consider that can help reduce the overall noise level.

The first is a simple replacement of your muffler with a newer, more modern version. This is a relatively easy and straightforward process that can be done in an afternoon. The second is a bit more involved, but can be even more effective. This involves installing what's known as a "muffler delete" kit. These kits replace your muffler with a series of pipes and straighten out the exhaust path to help reduce noise.

While this upgrade is more involved and may require some welding, it can be a great way to reduce the noise coming from your car's exhaust system.

Install Sound Deadening Materials

Another option you have for reducing noise in your classic car is to install sound deadening materials throughout the vehicle. These materials help to absorb and muffle sounds, and can be a great way to reduce the overall noise level coming from your car.

There are many different types of sound deadening materials available on the market, so be sure to do some research and find the ones that will work best for your particular car model and situation.

Consider Your Tires

In still other cases, tires will be the primary source of noise coming from your car. If this is the case, there are a few different things you can do to help reduce the overall noise level.

The first is to simply ensure that your tires are properly inflated. This will help to reduce road noise and make your car quieter overall. The second is to consider upgrading to newer, quieter tires. If you're going with this latter approach, be sure to take the time to research different tires and find the ones that will work best for your car and driving style.

Door and Window Seals

Have you noticed that the main sounds that bother you for your classic car are wind and other road-based noises? If so, a great way to help reduce the overall noise level is to install new door and window seals.

You might be surprised at just how much impact a new window seal can have. In fact, it can make a dramatic difference in the overall noise level coming from your car. There are many different types of door and window seals available on the market, and there will definitely be some that are ideal for your classic car model.

Look at Your Shocks

Finally, it's worth considering your car's shocks as a possible source of noise. If your shocks are worn out, they can make a lot of noise when you're driving. This is especially true if you live in an area with a lot of bumps and potholes.

If you think your shocks might be the culprit, the best course of action is to take your car to a mechanic and have them take a look. They'll be able to tell you for sure whether or not your shocks need to be replaced, and they can also help you find the right replacement shocks for your car.

For more on how to make a classic car quieter in its regular operations, or to learn about any of our classic car restoration parts, speak to our team at Andersen Restoration Parts today.