Vintage and classic

[crankedup]

Is it time the cut in / off dates for these catargories was changed?
Thinking that a car is not permitted to run in vintage rallies because its post 1930 seems a little unfair to me.

[ARH]

I have to agree, especialy when you have a 1932 car, which is surely vintage but not classed as such.

[ettore]

Why change them though? In reality the only people who enforce a 1930 ruling for events are the VSCC, a club that accepts a broad mix of post 1930 cars (if they are on the list!). As the VSCC defined the term vintage they probably have the moral high gound.

In actual fact, there are only a small number of VSCC events that stipulate a vintage-only entry and there is normally reasonable justification.

If anything does need changing it`s "classic", a term that now covers an incredibly broad spectrum from GTO to Viva and everything in between...

[crankedup]

Perhaps the term 'Modern Classic' would help, at least from an age perspective of a vehicle. I tend to think of a 1960's vehicle as modern but mention that to a 20 year old petrol head and they think your way beyond help.

[tvrgaas]

crankedup said:

Is it time the cut in / off dates for these catargories was changed?

NO

The Veteran Car Club define Veteran Cars as pre 1904. An attempt to include 1905 cars was defeated by the Red Flag run. The VSCC define Vintage cars as those built pre Dec 31st 1930. They also have an (illogical) PVT list, although the only VSCC event to which a PVT car is not invited to compete is the Welsh Trail/Rally.

However the VSCC is only one way of having fun. There's the Old Bean Car Club Dafodil run, and for hard core vintage nuts there is the LCES

Other classic event organisers can set there own rules, most base them on the MSA period definitions; which has a pre 1931 and Pre 1941 class, to agree with the VSCC classes. A few years ago we did the Jersey Old Motor event, which is accepting sporting entries from cars up to 1976.

[eccles]

crankedup said:

Perhaps the term 'Modern Classic' would help, at least from an age perspective of a vehicle. I tend to think of a 1960's vehicle as modern but mention that to a 20 year old petrol head and they think your way beyond help.

i'm of a similar frame of mind, being brought up in a household with 2 pre-war cars, anything post-war was deemed a 'modern'.
i'm not a great fan of car shows, but occasionally i go to one, or on a social run to ireland, and i find it quite sad now at the lack of pre-war cars on the road. and most of these shows have modern, mid 80's cars, and they class them as classics!

[tvrgaas]

crankedup said:

a little unfair to me.

What event do you wish to enter in which car?
Extra bonus points for Saloons at the Brooklands Driving Tests next month.

[crankedup]

Hi Tvrgaas, TBH it is just an observation / talking point at the moment. However I do find myself being drawn towards vintage/classic 'meets' more and more and am sure that it will not be long before I am 'active'. My only car at the mo' is 1928 Austin Windsor saloon, am looking at purchasing 2nd vintage soon but not sure what to go for. I do like the Austin 7's but then I also like most vintage cars

[ettore]

crankedup said:

Hi Tvrgaas, TBH it is just an observation / talking point at the moment. However I do find myself being drawn towards vintage/classic 'meets' more and more and am sure that it will not be long before I am 'active'. My only car at the mo' is 1928 Austin Windsor saloon, am looking at purchasing 2nd vintage soon but not sure what to go for. I do like the Austin 7's but then I also like most vintage cars

Get yourself a nice vintage sporting seven and join the VSCC - after several years spectating and navigating (Frazer Nash and GN) it`s exactly what I`ve done!

Vintage cars have an interest all of their own - something that I think complements a liking of more modern performance cars. The ownership proposition is much more interesting IMHO if you can compete at some level though...

[_topcat]

hi Ettore, i have just read your thread. Can you recomend a few places to search for racey Seven?

[ettore]

_topcat said:

hi Ettore, i have just read your thread. Can you recomend a few places to search for racey Seven?

Other than the magazines (of which I recommend The Automobile), the various clubs provide the best cars. If it is a sporting seven you want, there are basically two primary sources, the VSCC and/or the 750MC.

Cars predominantly vintage in origin (pre-30)are eligible for most things - in fact you could race, hillclimb, trial and autotest a vintage seven pretty much every weekend of the year. The VSCC is the best source of vintage cars and vintage events.

Later sevens are still eligible for plenty though being catered for by the 750MC, the Pre-war Austin Seven Club and some VSCC events. Again there are race and hillclimb series, trials and autotests.

The club magazines and regulars will all be able help source a decent car - there are plenty about! My personal recommendation would be an Ulster, either original or replica (Ulsteroid!) - these look good, are eligible for everything and with the right tweaks they`re an absolute, and surprisingly brisk, hoot to drive!