Classic Cars Definition or Politics

" Classic Cars Definition or Politics "

Do you have an older car that you love, putting in your time and money in fixing it up, taking it to shows.

Have you ever wondered just what classification that your car fits in. Do you consider your car a antique, vintage, classic, milestone, or collectible ? Each class has a its own set of specifications or definitions.

A lot of us consider our old cars classics. So let's start with some edited definitions right out of the dictionary that would apply to car lovers like yourself. (definitions are not in alphabetical order but represent a chronological order) If you have a PDF converter you can save this document and print it out to share with others.

antique 1. Belonging to, made in, or typical of an earlier period. 2. Of or dealing in antiques. 3. Old-fashioned. --an·tique n. 1. An object having special value because of its age, especially a domestic item like a car or piece of furniture or handicraft esteemed for its artistry, beauty, or period of origin.

vintage 1. A group or collection of people or things sharing certain characteristics. 2. A year or period of origin. 3. Length of existence; age. --vin·tage adj. 1. Of or relating to a vintage. 2. Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. 3. Old or outmoded. 4.a. Of the best. b. Of the most distinctive.

classic 1.a. Belonging to the highest rank or class. b. Serving as the established model or standard. c. Having lasting significance or worth; enduring. 2.a. Adhering or conforming to established standards and principles. b. Of a well-known type; typical. 3. a. Formal, refined, and restrained in style. b. Simple and harmonious; elegant. 4. A typical or traditional example. 5. Informal. A superior or unusual example of its kind. 6. A traditional event, especially a major sporting event that is held annually.

milestone 1. A stone marker set up on a roadside to indicate the distance in miles from a given point. 2. An important event, as in a person's career, the history of a nation, or the advancement of knowledge in a field; a turning point.

collectible 1. That it can be collected 2. Suitable or desirable for collecting as by a hobbyist _n any of a class of old things, but not antiques, that people collect as a hobby, specifically a thing of no intrinsic value.

The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) has a list of cars that are recognized qualifiers as classic. Whether your car is classic or not can it only supposedly be determined by this elite group

The CCCA's definition of classic refers to cars made between 1925-1948, however there are many exceptions to this long list. The list is very specific as to what makes of each model are given the "classic" designation.

Does this mean that your 1957 Chevy Belair is not a classic? , the CCCA says that if you’re not on the list, you’re not an official classic. I got news for you, the CCCA is only one club. Sorry guys, I don't mean to bad mouth you but the term "classic car" is used in my daily vocabulary. And tell me how many car clubs and organizations use this term to identify their cars with. I'm sorry but maybe the CCCA should take another look at the true definitions, I'm sure that most of you out there will agree. You put your blood sweat and tears in rebuilding that car, why let one group rain on your parade, and burst your bubble.

If your car does not show up on the CCCA's "classic" list, there is another club that recognizes what are called Milestone Cars. The Milestone Car Society of California has a list that includes all popular and notable cars made from 1945 through 1972. So if your car isn’t a true CCCA classic, it most likely will be a milestone.

What is a vintage car? The definitions above pretty much explain it all. Vintage cars are usually considered of as old cars, but not just old cars, they should be in good condition and most of the time old luxury cars that are in very good condition. According to the definition, a vintage car can be any car from any year at the head of its class. So your 1954 Chevy Belair may not be a true classic or a milestone, but it is certainly could be vintage.

What about insurance ? Most insurance companies consider the following, your car is an antique or classic if it is at least 15 or 20 years old or older (depending on where you live,) garaged when not in use, and driven less than 2,500 miles per year (my insurance company gives me 5,000 miles/year which is an option available in some states.) You also must have a good driving record and own at least one other vehicle for "regular" use. This definition covers a lot of cars. Antique cars would be considered as the first cars made by any car manufacturer like the Ford Model A or Model T, in most any condition. Regarding the insurance itself , if you have more money in your car than what the blue book lists, you will need to get it appraised.

What about collectibles ? Most companies consider collectibles as cars that have been produced within 20 years, however I feel that any car could be deemed collectable if you collect them.

And now I have a new definition for you "Born Classic" . I'm sure that most of you will agree that the 1957 Chevy Belair was a born classic, Chevy didn't know it at the time when they manufactured the car but now it is. My definition of Born Classics are newer cars that have that classic appeal and when the years go by they certainly should be considered classics. At this time my personal list looks something like this. The Prowler, the new BMW Z3 roadster, Mercedes is following BMW with its roadster line, Dodge Viper, the Miata simple but it will be a classic some day, Dodge has a new line that will be coming out this next millennium, the PT series. Dodge is definitely gone back to the artistic values of car design.

Getting back to your classic. It is my opinion that any car built from the early 1900's till the mid 1970's can and should be considered a classic as long as it has that classic appeal and has a owner that loves and cherishes the vehicle enough to deem it their classic car.

Happy Cruising,

Jeffrey

Webmaster / aeclassic.com

If you have a car that you would like to add to the "Born Classic" list or if you have any comments, please e-mail us.

Acknowledgements and links for additional information:

Teri Olcott - MiningCo.com

Classic Car Club of America

Milestone Car Society:,Phone: 805-491-2387 (Sorry No Website at this time)

12387 Ridge Dr., Camarillo, CA 93012