Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

old gto · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 172 Location: Orlando, Florida

On this side of the pond, many "classic" car shows have a gut-off date of 1972. The logic behind this is that the 1973 models had to meet stringent emissions standard imposed by the Government, and auto makers claimed they didn`t have enough time to develope emission controls without sacrificing horsepower. So in the middle of the "performance" era, 1972 seemed to many as the end of the "muscle-cars".
There were certainly MANY cars built after 1972 that would qualify as classics, and are highly sought after.
I propose that a "classic" is not determined as much by it`s age, as it is by it`s appeal & desireability. Generally, "antique" is at least 20 years old, and classics are also considered old. But I think we can also identify classics in the making.....by noting what is popular today with our kids, and will be collected later by our grand-kids.

Brian M · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

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

bob2 · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 1728 Location: Malta

I will ask another question based on this;

If a car is not that much popular even if its old, say in between 30 to 40 years old and its contemporaries are regarded as classics is it a classic or not?

To put an example my hillman hunter which I am restoring (still a long way from ready though) can be regarded as classic or not?

There are also other cars which some peolpe may regard as classic and some others as crap!!
What do you folks think about it? Confused

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

Hi Bob,

Looking up the dictionary will give you definitions of the word "classic" such as, outstanding, model example, superior, timeless etc but I think most old
car enthusiasts use the word simply to mean representative of an earlier period.

My personal view of the Hillman Hunter is that it marked a very definite change in
design philosophy for the Rootes Group. A move away from the very solid but heavy construction of the Minxes to something that could compete with Ford's Cortina. As someone who has owned a few Rootes products I think it
is an interesting car and a much nicer car than the Marina which attempted to make the same transition from BMC's Oxbridges.

Peter

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

I would have to agree that the Hunter is now a classic, even though in it's day as a regular saloon, it was never an eye-catcher.
I would also consider the Avenger & Imp as classics, too, even though they were quite prolific on the roads when I was a young man.

The definition of a 'classic' is certainly a very grey area.

Other cars I would now consider as classics include:
MkII & III Cortina
MkI Granada
MkI Celica
Beetle
MkI Mini
MkI Capri
Corsair
Avenger
HA, HB & HC Viva
Firenza
Toledo & Dolomite
Maxi
Princess
Allegro

There are others, but this gives you an idea.
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Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!

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

Now why do you want to leave out the Mark I Cortina from your list?

A good GT is a delight to drive in comparison with many of the others that you include.

Peter Question

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4880 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Why is a Mark 1 Capri called a Mark 1 when it was the second design to bear the name?

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

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

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

Sorry, my misunderstanding. 'Got confused by you quoting Mk II and Mk III.

Peter (senior (or is that senile) moment) Scott Wink

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4880 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
[quote="Rick]well strictly speaking wasn't the first a Consul Capri? rather than just Capri? but I know what you mean Smile

R[/quote]

Yes it was, as also the Consul Classic but it seems to me that everybody drops the Consul bit and just refers to the Classic or Capri.

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

Perhaps Ford preferred to overlook the first use of the Capri name, after all the Consul Classic & Capri were expensive to produce and were hardly rip-roaring sales successes, if memory serves??

R
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old gto · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 172 Location: Orlando, Florida

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

What about cars that are labelled classics on the day they are produced?

Some would argue these vehicles have attained this status simply through their design innovations, limited production runs, or the fact that they are so different in appearance to other makes of the same era.
In music, certain tunes or songs may be considered 'instant classics' for very similar reasons & I believe the same to be true of motoring.

I would say that the following are 'classics' of this kind:

Beetle
Mini
Porsche 911/Carrera
AC Cobra
1959 Cadillac
2CV
Europa
Tucker
Imp

Can anyone think of any other examples?
_________________
Don't run your fingers over my truck & I won't run my truck over your fingers!

http://www.loosechange-band.co.uk/