What is a "Classic" car?

[vpr]

May well have been asked on here before but exactly what do you guys reckon the definition of a classic is as any piece of old junk seems to get this label? And is there such a thing as a current car being a classic today?

[lowdrag]

Rules of classic cars:-

1. They are great until you've paid for them
2. They will eat away at your bank continuously
3. Your wife will demand "either she goes or I do".
4. The simplest job turns into a rebuild.

I could go on, but as I live alone but have three faithful "mistresses" you get the point! As regards what is a classic - read the above and choose your poison!

On a serious note, Anno Domini means that "old" cars are getting younger for some of us. I recently saw a lad who got a job at a specialist garage because he turned up in a Morris Marina he restored himself and they were impressed. I wouldn't, having had several as company cars, even given it room in a scrap yard. Peugeot 205 GTI's are now collectable it seems, but as to whether the Suzuki swift will become so is another matter despite it getting rave reviews. Only time will tell.

[Elderly]

I think that many people are viewing cars from earlier times through 'Rose tinted rear view mirrors'.

To be a classic for me, there has to be an aspect of established excellence; they have to have had a 'Wow factor' in their own time.

I don't want to get into specific makes and models but at the Goodwood revival there were many saloons on track which were poorly regarded in their day (and still do nothing for me now) and in my opinion are not 'classic' in its true meaning. For me some of those mass produced utilitarian saloons of the fifties and early sixties are 'nostaligic' (yes I was car-aware back then!) but that's all.

[vpr]

I agree...........A classic is a car that was pretty sensational in it's day, broke the mould. Doesn't necessarily have to be fast.

[a8hex]

I think everyone will have their own personal definition of what is a classic car.

For some it will need to be of a certain age, from a certain, rarefied, group of marques and even in some cases only certain models.

For others it will be any old car that is loved, at least partly by it's owner as being their classic.

For some, there are certain marques which always constitute a classic. Are all Alfa's classics? (no I'm not an Alfa owner, I'm a Jag man).

I could get classic car insurance on my everyday car if I didn't want business cover. It's a 94 X300 Jag. On the other hand the same insurance company were perfectly happy to include business usage on my XK150 at no extra price.

Me, if the owner thinks of it as a classic, then I'm happy.
I like to see things like old Cortinas or other old everyday cars, but I have no desire to own one. Although I would say no to owning another Dolly. But an old wreck of an old everyday car is just an old car. Whereas a beaten up old XK (or something else like that) which has grown old disgracefully along with the owner I do like.

[Puff Puff]

vpr said:

I agree...........A classic is a car that was pretty sensational in it's day, broke the mould. Doesn't necessarily have to be fast.

I don't think 'broke the mould in its day' is a prerequisite of a classic car However, judging by some of the classic car shows I've been to around Europe just about every car is reckoned to be a classic by someone but relatively few were sensational or broke moulds.

I agree about 'fast' though.

[jeff m]

I had this discussion with a friend a few days ago.
One qualification we came up with was if a car in fair to good condition exceeds its original sticker price.

May have to make a slight adjustment for current market conditions

[crankedup]

Agree with posters here, but when is the term 'modern classic' relevant, is this the term that covers all post WW11 perhaps?

[Pigeon]

Anything's a classic if it's old enough. All that varies is how old that is.

[lowdrag]

Pigeon said:

Anything's a classic if it's old enough. All that varies is how old that is.

Hmm. Where would you put the Sanction 2 Zagatos and 1990 Lister Knobblies here then? They aren't old but are re-runs, by the original manufacturer, of the 1960's cars.

[vpr]

Pigeon said:

Anything's a classic if it's old enough. All that varies is how old that is.

Best look up the definition of "Classic" me thinks.

Reckon this is what happens in life where everything gets the label but you can't tell me that an Austin Maxi or a Marina can be worthy of Classic status?

[Baby Huey]

It's very difficult to define, but these days anything over around 30 years old is considered classic and often a lot newer stuff is.

The definition of classic should really be something that can't be bettered, but with cars constantly evolving it's hard to apply that rule.

I've heard it said that the cut off point now is cars that have metal bumpers are classic, those with plastic ones modern, sounds like a load of rubbish to me.

[Pigeon]

lowdrag said:

Pigeon said:

Anything's a classic if it's old enough. All that varies is how old that is.

Hmm. Where would you put the Sanction 2 Zagatos and 1990 Lister Knobblies here then?

In my garage

...Wouldn't have much doubt about calling them classics

vpr said:

Best look up the definition of "Classic" me thinks.

The dictionary definition has never had much to do with the use of the term relating to cars.

vpr said:

Reckon this is what happens in life where everything gets the label but you can't tell me that an Austin Maxi or a Marina can be worthy of Classic status?

Yeah, they are by now. Especially given that there are so few of them left that there is a need to preserve the survivors now.

[Elderly]

Pigeon said:

said:

Pigeon said:

Anything's a classic if it's old enough. All that varies is how old that is.

vpr said:

Best look up the definition of "Classic" me thinks.

The dictionary definition has never had much to do with the use of the term relating to cars.

vpr said:

Reckon this is what happens in life where everything gets the label but you can't tell me that an Austin Maxi or a Marina can be worthy of Classic status?

Yeah, they are by now. Especially given that there are so few of them left that there is a need to preserve the survivors now.

As an answer to the OP's question, I feel that the dictionary definition of the word 'classic' should apply to cars.

It would be good if a few examples of EVERY car should be preserved (however poorly conceived or made they originally were) but that does not confirm the status of 'Classic' on them.

[ragtopzephyr]

A quote from Wikipedia as recognised in the UK:
"There is no fixed definition of a classic car. Two taxation issues do impact however, leading to some people using them as cutoff dates. All cars built before January 1, 1973, are exempted from paying the annual road tax vehicle excise duty. This is then entered on the license disc displayed on the windscreen as "historic vehicle" (if a car built before this date has been first registered in 1973 or later, then its build date would have to be verified by a recognized body such as British Motor Heritage Foundation to claim tax free status). The HM Revenue & Customs define a classic car for company taxation purposes as being over 15 years old and having a value in excess of £15,000.

Ties in with the criteria I adhere to within my role as a classic car insurer, i quote from one of underwriting guides "the vehicle to be insured must be a genuine classic car as recognised by the classic car press and over 15yrs old"

[funk odyssey]

a8hex][b said:

I think everyone will have their own personal definition of what is a classic car.

For others it will be any old car that is loved, at least partly by it's owner as being their classic.

Me, if the owner thinks of it as a classic, then I'm happy.[/b]

that's the crux of it - personal choice

[RedexR]

funk odyssey said:

a8hex][b said:

I think everyone will have their own personal definition of what is a classic car.

For others it will be any old car that is loved, at least partly by it's owner as being their classic.

Me, if the owner thinks of it as a classic, then I'm happy.[/b]

that's the crux of it - personal choice

agreed , although the word collectable could come into play , if only one person saves something for a long time it doesn,t necessarily mean it will be regarded as sought after,collectable or classic , surely its a desired by many thing?

also - broke the mould - I don,t agree , most Fords of the sixties were utterly conventional , leaving all the trick hydrolastic suspensions and front wheel drives to their rivals , while concentrating on getting the package right with different models and interiors.

Edited by RedexR on Thursday 13th November 20:33

[Cecil]

Any, non new car that appreciates in value

[Puff Puff]

Cecil said:

Any, non new car that appreciates in value

Classic status is not bestowed on a car by its price.

[Sam_68]

Puff Puff said:

Cecil said:

Any, non new car that appreciates in value

Classic status is not bestowed on a car by its price.

Oh, I dunno... it's as good a measure as any, I guess.

Taking into account Pigeon's 'anything is a classic if it's old enough', you could argue that anything that's reached the bottom of its depreciation curve and started rising in value could be accorded 'classic' status, as clearly that's the point where collectabilty/desirability overcomes the fact that it's just an old car.

If you want to apply a slightly stiffer financial test, it would be the point at which its second-hand value exceeds the list price of the car when it was new.

Both tests, of course, allow for cars which are 'instant' classics.