Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Marksmini · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Nottingham

Its a funny old question, as im guessing your thinking 'well anything old??? (puts hand on chin) what a silly post '

but is it?

what do you class as old?

for example i would class my 2 minis as a Classic car but... really is it?

just because its got alittle age behind doesnt make it a classic, or does it?

where do you draw the line? what age does a car, van or truck become a classic? what are the rules?

My Jeffrey, ok its abit older, there wasnt as many made of them, so does that make it a classic? or just an old car inwhich there wasnt many made?

Hope you dont mind me asking a daft question like this, i was looking at the word classic and got thinking what does the whole thing really mean and cover?

Mark Wink

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22820 Location: UK

There is no one answer really.

Some people seem to refer to anything that is a few years out of production as a 'classic' - I think this might be because they'd prefer to call their old family runabout a 'classic' than just an 'old car', sounds better doesn't it! plus it gets you into shows cheaply. I'm thinking some of the early 90s stuff that creeps into some of the old-car magazines, modern ECU-laden dross that should never rub shoulders with cars of the 50s and 60s at shows.

I think there is a good argument to draw a line in the sand, prior to which anything gets covered by the 'classic' name. It seems to work for the Vintage Sports Car Club (1930) so I see no reason why it couldn't work for 'classic'. The 1973 cut-off for zero rate roadtax (UK) seems like a good enough date to me, or perhaps 1980 as a nice round figure. Then 70s cars, which most now accept in the classic shows, would come under this title, and anything later would not. In time a new term for 1980-onwards cars could be dreamt up, leaving the 'classic' tag covering the previous period. Some argue that it could be devisive to the hobby, introducing a new band to follow on from 'vintage' but I don't buy that.

I can't see there ever being a definition of 'classic' that would be agreed to by the majority. Issues such as whether cars designed during the period, but built after it, should be included under the 'classic' banner would lead to endless arguments that would ultimately end in stalemate.

R
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Job-Rated · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1010 Location: Sugarbeet County

I always thought veteran was anything pre 1930 & vintage was anything pre 1949.
I would go along with Rick & use the 'speed limit' year of 1973 & say anything prior to that is a 'classic'.
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buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

Veteran was pre 1905, but has been increased to pre 1919.

I think it all depends on the car in question.

Cheers

Dave

Marksmini · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Nottingham

its intresting reading other people interpiration of the word classic...

thanks you for the posts so far.

Mark

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

I think Veteran, Vintage and Post Vintage cover the period up to the end of WWII reasonably well except that there are many cars that are pre-war designs but were built post war and they really should be grouped as such
so the 1949 date probably rounds off the pre-war stuff quite well and leaves the term Classic for 1950 onwards.

Peter

62rebel · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:48 pm Post subject:

you can blame the vagary of the term "classic" on the big auction houses and their latest venture into market plundering. they'll describe any old heap as a classic and flog it on for 10x fair market to the wealthy and uninformed wishing to portray themselves as "enthusiasts".
i use the more correct term "antique" for anything 25yrs or older; unless it is a recognised "Classic" and then that name applies. i like the use of "Veteran" for British pre-1914 cars, i often thought that "Pioneer" applied more directly to them as they were in fact a new technology.
hence; my cars are merely antique, not classics, and i never describe them otherwise.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4279 Location: South Cheshire

I have never been one to “box” any car it to a particular category and I feel people do it for the wrong reasons. In terms of age my cars range from a 1939 Morris 8 to a 2007 6 series BMW, I really enjoy driving both cars. In 1939 however I doubt anyone would have regarded the Morris 8 any more of a classic than people do the 6 series today, in reality perhaps less would have.

I really fancy a pre war commercial, and a Mk 1 Escort and a 1981 Lotus Sunbeam and a 1992 Honda Prelude, oh yes forgot I fancy a Chevy pick up like dalbuie’s and an early Mini. Oh and always had a soft spot for the classic NY Checker cabs!

Lets just enjoy nice cars.

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22820 Location: UK

Geoffp · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:07 am Post subject:

The trouble with trying to classify a classic on age alone is that most cars were in production for years and the cars from any one year can have wildly different technology and styling.
My suggestion is that a classic comes from what I call the 'carbs and coil' era. So no complex electronics in either the fuel or ignition systems, and the later cars can have a separate grouping.

Geoff

Geoffp · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:10 am Post subject:

Alternatively, if it's Italian it's classic, if not it isn't Wink

Geoff

Job-Rated · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1010 Location: Sugarbeet County

Marksmini · Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 59 Location: Nottingham

what have i started.......

there are so many differant angles to look at. i dont think there is a real answer here but its intresting reading

Giggles · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject:

On several of the Hot Rod type forum's people often ask "what is a hot rod?" And the answer varied with who replies and I think it's the same with what is a classic.

Some would say that our 1988 Volvo is a classic as it's 20 years old. But I wouldn't dream of entering it into a classic car show.

I would tend to agree with pre 1973 for classics, but as always this could be flexible. After that, probably up until 1990 (again allowing a little flexiabiltiy) I would call them Retro.

Opps! I've probably opened a new can of worms there! Laughing

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Uncle Joe · Guest

I would have a tendency to agree with a date of around 1973. Obviously, there would be exceptions, such as a Mini, and one or two others. In one sense, the thing that makes a classic a classic is that they are cars that can be worked on at home, and dont have to be taken to a garage to be repaired.

It is possible though that there should be a separate class for some later model cars simply because of their rarity, or the fact that so few survive.