The difference between vintage and classic
Discussion
spudgun GB said:
Hi All,
Can anyone out there give me a absolute definition of what a classic car is and what a vintage car is?
I'm guessing Vintage will be cars before a certain date but I think classic is a bit more open to interpretation. Also what about modern classics.
Cheers
Steve
My understandingCan anyone out there give me a absolute definition of what a classic car is and what a vintage car is?
I'm guessing Vintage will be cars before a certain date but I think classic is a bit more open to interpretation. Also what about modern classics.
Cheers
Steve
Veteren is pre 1919.
Vintage is up to end of 1930.
Post Vintage is up to end of 1939.
Generally car manufacture started after WWII with the same models, these are known as Post War Cars.
After that classic cars.
After that bangers like mine!
Huntsman said:
spudgun GB said:
Hi All,
Can anyone out there give me a absolute definition of what a classic car is and what a vintage car is?
I'm guessing Vintage will be cars before a certain date but I think classic is a bit more open to interpretation. Also what about modern classics.
Cheers
Steve
My understandingCan anyone out there give me a absolute definition of what a classic car is and what a vintage car is?
I'm guessing Vintage will be cars before a certain date but I think classic is a bit more open to interpretation. Also what about modern classics.
Cheers
Steve
Veteren is pre 1919.
Vintage is up to end of 1930.
Post Vintage is up to end of 1939.
Generally car manufacture started after WWII with the same models, these are known as Post War Cars.
After that classic cars.
After that bangers like mine!
The VSCC demarkation is probably itself about 50 years old, and the post war might need more sub-section- pre oil crisis, post oil crisis, electric engine management etc etc
williamp said:
The VSCC demarkation is probably itself about 50 years old, and the post war might need more sub-section- pre oil crisis, post oil crisis, electric engine management etc etc
If I remember correctly, the initial meeting of the VSCC was held in the Pheonix pub at Hartly Witney in 1934 as this group of car enthusiasts they didn't much like new mass produced cars!As you say, their own demarcation at the time was end of 1930, since then, they have nodded towards the cars built up to the war and class them in competitions as PVT (post vintage thoroughbreds).
The VSCC was indeed formed at the Phoenix pub at Hartley Wintney in 1934, and the definition of a vintage car was fixed as those before 1932. Veteran cars are the Brighton Run cars and IIRC are those registered up to the end of 1904. Just don't even try to define classics because there isn't a degfinition but a new thread starts up every now and again. FWIW my definition of a classic is one that brings pleasure to the owner.
The MSA Blue Book (2004) gives the following periods
(Non Rally).
A Veteran before 1/1/05
B Edwardian 1/1/05 to 31/12/18
C Vintage 1/1/1919 to 31/12/30
D PVT 1/1/31 to 31.12.46
E 47-61
F 1962 to 1965
G 1966 to 1971
It is then up to event organisers to define the entry requirements and classes. The VSCC in its events may add extra restrictions to its PVT definition. Cars from, for example, the Rootes or Nuffield Groups were less favoured in the past.
Period F is for those all important FIA papers and Goodwood invites
As to what is the difference - some of the VSCC founders did wonder if 1926 should have been the cut off date - before cars got heavier as people added saloon bodies, moved to 6 cylinders, added Front wheel brakes, and moved away from beaded edge tyres.
I think in the USA they talk about "Brass era" cars. I suppose one could say Vintage was the Nickel plate area, more chrome used in the 1930's. However it is a arbituary date.
The 1931 date also causes problems - the Alvis 12/50 TJ series was launched in 1930 and continued, with the similar 12/60 until about 1933. Most of the parts are interchangable with the TE series from 1925.
On Sunday we took our 12/50 up to the coffee stop in Stockbridge for the Old Bean Daffodil run. In the afternoon we went out in the Griffith. One's Vintage, the other a modern classic.
(Non Rally).
A Veteran before 1/1/05
B Edwardian 1/1/05 to 31/12/18
C Vintage 1/1/1919 to 31/12/30
D PVT 1/1/31 to 31.12.46
E 47-61
F 1962 to 1965
G 1966 to 1971
It is then up to event organisers to define the entry requirements and classes. The VSCC in its events may add extra restrictions to its PVT definition. Cars from, for example, the Rootes or Nuffield Groups were less favoured in the past.
Period F is for those all important FIA papers and Goodwood invites
As to what is the difference - some of the VSCC founders did wonder if 1926 should have been the cut off date - before cars got heavier as people added saloon bodies, moved to 6 cylinders, added Front wheel brakes, and moved away from beaded edge tyres.
I think in the USA they talk about "Brass era" cars. I suppose one could say Vintage was the Nickel plate area, more chrome used in the 1930's. However it is a arbituary date.
The 1931 date also causes problems - the Alvis 12/50 TJ series was launched in 1930 and continued, with the similar 12/60 until about 1933. Most of the parts are interchangable with the TE series from 1925.
On Sunday we took our 12/50 up to the coffee stop in Stockbridge for the Old Bean Daffodil run. In the afternoon we went out in the Griffith. One's Vintage, the other a modern classic.
williamp said:
A great thread, but there will never be a definite answer as there are always too many exceptions to the rule. A bit like Biologists trying to classify thigns into animal, plant etc. on the whole successful, but there are too many issues.
example of something that's hard to classify as plant or animal?Pothole said:
williamp said:
A great thread, but there will never be a definite answer as there are always too many exceptions to the rule. A bit like Biologists trying to classify thigns into animal, plant etc. on the whole successful, but there are too many issues.
example of something that's hard to classify as plant or animal?
lowdrag said:
Pothole said:
williamp said:
A great thread, but there will never be a definite answer as there are always too many exceptions to the rule. A bit like Biologists trying to classify thigns into animal, plant etc. on the whole successful, but there are too many issues.
example of something that's hard to classify as plant or animal?Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff