Photo taken by
Royce Rumsey

The Classic Car

The Classic Car Era came after World War II, when men and machines were once again available and technology was at an all time high. Classic cars are generally thought of as vehicles built before 1970, when pollution control, economy and safety regulations had yet to become design and production issues. The Cold War, the Communist threat in Cuba, civil rights and Vietnam brought new strife to the American people in the 1960's, and new concerns for Detroit. As foreign automakers imported a new breed of compact, more efficient cars American automakers responded by dropping their trademark fins. Consumers eagerly accepted GMs' all new Corvair, Fords' Falcon and Chryslers' Valiant. The smaller cars went faster and the introduction of the Big Block V-8's assured Americans that the horsepower war was still on.

Photo taken by
Royce Rumsey

What Makes it a Classic?
A classic car is really a generic term that can cover many genres of cars worthy of being considered "collectable". There are many that would use the term "classic" for a 1924 Packard and a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 in the same breath. Here's our take on a vehicle's proper classification according to the era of its conception.

Antique Cars 1880 Through 1916
The Antique car classification is used for cars built from the beginning of automotive development through 1916. They were first called "horseless carriages", and could have been powered by a gasoline combustion, steam or electric engine.
Vintage Automobiles 1916 Through 1924
Vintage Automobiles generally encompass cars that were manufactured between 1916 and 1924. These cars were the product of experimentation and innovation that brought major advancements in comfort, safety and durability for the car buying public.
Classic Cars 1925 Through Today
The debate over the proper definition of a "Classic Car" will not end here. In fact, we won't even try to voice our opinion on the matter - but you'll read about others who do.

Photo taken by
Royce Rumsey

Classic car styling
There was a worldwide change in styling trends in the immediate years after the end of World War II. The 1946 Crosley and Kaiser-Frazer, for example, changed the traditional discrete replaceable-fender treatment. From this point on, automobiles of all kinds became envelope bodies in basic plan. The CCCA term, "Classic Car" has been confined to "the functionally traditional designs of the earlier period" (mostly pre-war). They tended to have removable fenders, trunk, headlights, and a usual vertical grill treatment. In a large vehicle, such as a Duesenberg, Pierce-Arrow, or in a smaller form, the MG TC, with traditional lines, might typify the CCCA term. Another vehicle might be a classic example of a later period but not a car from the "classic period of design", in the opinion of the CCCA.

Photo taken by
Royce Rumsey

Modern classics

The Porsche 944 may be considered a modern classic.
These vehicles are generally older, anywhere from 15–25 years, but are not accepted as classics according to the Antique Automobile Club of America.

Classic car

From Wikipedia,

Classic car is a term frequently used to describe an older car, but the exact meaning is subject to differences in opinion. Some are very inclusive,[who?] considering any older car to be a classic. Others, including the Classic Car Club of America, maintain that 1959 is the last year for a car to be a classic.

Classic Car Club of America

The Classic Car Club of America defines a CCCA Classic or is as a fine or distinctive automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1959. Generally, a Classic was high-priced when new and was built in limited quantities. Other factors, including engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and "one-shot" or automatic lubrication systems, help determine whether a car is considered to be a Classic.
Any member may petition for a vehicle to join the list. Such applications are carefully scrutinized and rarely is a new vehicle type admitted.
This rather exclusive definition of a classic car is not universally followed, however, and this is acknowledged by the CCCA: while it still maintains the true definition of "classic car" is its, it generally uses terms such as CCCA Classic or the trademarked Full Classic to avoid confusion.

United States legal definition

Legally, most states have time-based rules for the definition of "classic" for purposes such as antique vehicle registration; for example, Pennsylvania defines it as "A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance."

Antique Automobile Club of America

The Antique Automobile Club of America defines an antique car as 25 years old or older.

United Kingdom

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.

UpComing Events

British Heritage and Collectorss
Esher, SurreyEngland
21st August 2009

Escape
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 8-10

Collectors' Motor Cars
Greenwich, Connecticut
June 7

 
Pebble Beach Auctions
Pebble Beach, California
August 15-16

Great Smoky Mountains
Collector Car Auction
Sevierville, Tennessee
June 20

Greater Boston
Collector Car Auction
Topsfield, Massachusetts
June 20

Kruse-Leake - Collector Automobile Auctions

Tulsa, Oklahoma
June 12-14

Houston, Texas
September 19

St. Paul, Minnesota
June 20

Raleigh Classic Car Auction
Raleigh, North Carolina
June 26-27

Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook
Rochester, Michigan
August 1

Coeur d'Alene Auction
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
June 13

Jackson Hole Auction
Jackson, Wyoming
July 4

Classic and Collectible
Penrose, New Zealand
June 20

Special Events

The Hemmings Challenge
Springfield, Missouri
June 21-26

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