Parking sensors for classic cars

[ARCEE]

Hello everyone,


I’m a final-year Product Design student at Loughborough University and I’m currently developing my final project around non-invasive parking sensors specifically for classic cars.

The concept is a completely no-drill, fully reversible system that doesn’t require cutting any wires or permanently altering the vehicle. The aim is to design something that respects the originality and aesthetics of classic cars, rather than looking like a modern aftermarket add-on.

Before I take this further, I genuinely want to understand:

• Do classic car owners actually want parking assistance?
• Is this seen as helpful, unnecessary, or even undesirable?
• What concerns would you have about fitting something like this?
• Would reversibility and preservation of originality make it more acceptable?

As this project carries significant academic weight, honest opinions, even critical ones would be incredibly valuable to me.


If anyone would be open to a short call or discussion (or meeting in person if you’re near Loughborough), I would be extremely grateful. I’m trying to ensure this solves a real problem rather than creating something nobody wants.


Thank you in advance. I really appreciate your time and expertise.
(arushikejriwal2021@gmail.com)

 

[badabec]

They would be handy to have.
I'd like to fit them to my DS Safari. It is either drill holes or hang them from the bumper.
Behind the bumper radar type won't work as most cars of the 70s and earlier had proper steel bumpers.

 

[fizzy]

Great idea and project. Use magnets to stick to a bumper or whatever. Cameras are very useful as are sensors. I assume you will use wifi or bluetooth for communication? Look at the systems modern tyre monitoring systems use. You could possibly adapt that?
And yes I am sure people would want it. Nobody wants to bump their pride and joy!

 

[BrokenBiker]

You mean like this one?

No Holes Invisible In Bumper Electromagnetic Parking Sensors Kit

Welcome To The World of HAWK UK’s leading online store for Bike spec wiring harness compatable to Hawk Motorcycle Alarms at trade price.UK Free P+P.

www.hawkcaralarm.com

 

[fizzy]

You mean like this one?

No Holes Invisible In Bumper Electromagnetic Parking Sensors Kit

Welcome To The World of HAWK UK’s leading online store for Bike spec wiring harness compatable to Hawk Motorcycle Alarms at trade price.UK Free P+P.

www.hawkcaralarm.com

Fits all cars with a PLASTIC bumper.
There does seem to be a bit of a gap in the market for classic cars.

 

[Bullet2012]

nice idea,
however how do you define as a classic car ? a 1980s golf gti is completely different to a 1970s mg midget and that would different again to a lotus.
perhaps define your intended market a little more
many classics especially uk derived are very small cars and i would personally say that sensors are not required.
ws have two mg midgets, a 1970 and a 71, i do not think sensors would be of any benefit. hope my response assists your research.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Fits all cars with a PLASTIC bumper.
There does seem to be a bit of a gap in the market for classic cars.

Like a sierra cosworth then? Id consider that to be a classic.

I see your point, but that was found after an incredibly simple Google search for invisible parking sensors...I'm willing to bet there is also something already available for cars with metal bumpers

 

[Erie Fred]

How did we get along all these years without all this stuff ?
Smashing trim & fenders from parking was a daily occurrence ?

 

[BrokenBiker]

The DReverse™ Invisible Reverse Parking Sensor System

Exclusive to DeLorean Go, this reversing sensor kit is simple to install in a matter of minutes, requires no drilling, and is completely invisible and reversible once fitted. Supplied with comprehensive illustrated instructions.

www.deloreango.com

This is based towards deloreans, but they are metal, aren't they?

Appears to utilise the rear lights for location from how I understand it

 

[julianthegypsy]

I would imagine they might be useful on vintage cars, with loads of overhang and not much visibility? Something like an Austin 10, with a canvas roof and a tiny rear window, at night in the rain can't be the easiest thing to fit in a Tesco car park, never mind the old Bentleys.

 

[BrokenBiker]

How did we get along all these years without all this stuff ?
Smashing trim & fenders from parking was a daily occurrence ?

The same way we got along without internet, next day delivery and long range ballistic missiles...but times change, things move on

 

[rtcosic]

@fizzy has nailed all the relevant points.
I use an old mobile phone for a GPS speedometer in mine, so I would like the rear view camera to transmit to that rather than a dedicated display.

Whilst I've switched mine to negative earth, some owners have to stick to positive earth and may be 6v.

 

[rtcosic]

How did we get along all these years without all this stuff ?
Smashing trim & fenders from parking was a daily occurrence ?

Yes. Back in my varsity days, I drove a '54 Sunbeam Talbot then an '52 Alvis TA21. Both had chrome-plated RSJs as bumpers and I used them as such. They were regarded as cheap bangers then, not cherished classics.

These days I worry about bending my bumpers on my cherished classic and destroying the plastic trim of the modern bumperless cars.

 

[Bobupndown]

My classic car is a 1963 Mini.
I seem to be able to park it ok without any electronic assistance. Something bigger possibly beneficial to have?

 

[rtcosic]

My classic car is a 1963 Mini.
I seem to be able to park it ok without any electronic assistance. Something bigger possibly beneficial to have?

You can touch all 4 corners from the driver's seat!

I had no issues parking my Lotus 7 for the same reason.

 

[droopsnoot]

I'd perhaps be interested as I'm never sure where the back end of my car is, and I don't have door mirrors to help out. It would need to be practically invisible, though, as at least the door mirrors would be a period accessory and not look too out of place. I have similar issues on the TT because all the corners are rounded, I usually just end up leaving it a bit too far out of parking spaces, which is preferable to hitting stuff.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I did a similar project for an engineering qualification in a previous life.

You will find classic car ownership encompasses a wide audience.
There will be some people who like to tweak and add on extras, modern upgrades, even electrification, and there will be those "rivet counters" who will fuss over the exact authenticity of every single minor detail - and then everybody else somewhere in between.

I would suggest those with "modern classics" are going to be far more interested in features like parking sensors than those who are after the raw "classic" driving experience.
Reversibility is certainly a key consideration, for those with more modern vehicles where they may have been optional extras, retrofitting the OEM parts is often popular rather than going for third party kits.

I imagine there is still a market for people who would want them for a "classic", but it could be very niche - the question you have to ask, is does that even matter to the project.
A course project and viable product are very different animals and don't necessarily need to be one and the same, although I appreciate the market research is an integral part.

 

[voipio]

Even "modern" cars could benefit from parking sensors, if they're not fitted as standard. Quite a few modern cars have less than ideal rear views when parking. The Ford Fiesta, and Kia Rio might be small cars, but they're not necessarily the easiest to park in tight spaces. A few other small rear screen coupes also fall into this category.

 

[keithski122]

There used to be some available that were fitted into a plastic rear number plate surround, did need wires cutting but only to join into reverse light.

 

[marlinspike]

As a classic owner, one thing to bear in mind is that most classics aren't daily drivers so things we take for granted like reversing sensors or air con aren't as much of a priority in a classic you drive a couple of hours on a Sunday as in a car you drive 10k miles a year.

I think the priority for classic owners who want such a product would be being able to fit without making any holes/damage in their car, ease of fitting and removal.

It would have to be fairly cheap too. People won't pay a lot for something they only use infrequently. Which is why there's no big market for very expensive car audio for mainstream classics for example.