what classifys as a classic?

[whiteballz]

what would u guys girls say to what is a classic? like cult classics? or certian age restrictions?

[DasModell]

yes .. to be considered a classic a car must be around 30 years old . but not all classic cars have historical value ..

[Matra et Alpine]

yes .. to be considered a classic a car must be around 30 years old . but not all classic cars have historical value ..

Been waiting for me to respond I guess ?????

A classis is what you want it to be.

My A610 is a 'classic', it's factory RHD, was faster than Porsche and Ferrari of the day and was a forgotten sportscar in the UK.
But it's only ~10 years old - so it's not just age.

Matra's are classics because of thier styling lines ( and age ).
Early Bagheera's are unmistakenly French in their design.
3-seat abreast seating also makes a difference
They're cheap to buy even now - so it's not just price.

Anything that was something 'special' when it was produced can be a classic.

Morris Marina in the UK are now considered 'classics' - I think that's more to do with novelty and how few of them are left on the road as most borke, rusted or were hidden in embarrasment.
So it's not even beauty !! or good engineering !!! or exclusivity !!!!

Their are clssifications used in classic and especially historic rallying to define these terms in age-only reference, but that's a strange world

If the car is in 'any' way "unusual" then I think it's OK to describe it as 'classic'.

Fixing some date in time and saying before is classic and after isn't is silly ( in rallies it's 1974 ). They're now adding "post-historic" and a new sectino to allow everything but the GroupB cars to compete again. But these are competition rules, not general descriptions.

So an Edsel was probably a 'classic' 2 years after production
A new Porsche 9xx, Ferrari, Lambo, Pagani, TVR etc are all "modern classics' as they carry a cachet with the label.

My view and that of many in the car clubs I'm a member of .....

Another easy definition of classic could be ..... can you get an insurance compay cover under a 'classic car' policy.
They're a lot cheaper and have more guarantees on value in the event of total loss. All my cars are on classic policies, so I've a piece of paer proving they're classics

[whiteballz]

thanx, so what your saying is basically, if the car is in any way abnormal, say the top of the range car, with huge amounts of respect and race/rally victorys, in some ways it would be considerd a classic?

[Nildo]

When I use the term 'classic' in reference to a car I mean it is a car around 30 years old or more, but which people sill choose to drive today over a modern car, either to relive an experience, or because it is still the equal of modern cars in the class. Or any reason. Like a Lotus Elan. Or a car which people restore due to a certain something it has, like the Jaguar/Eagle e-type. Or because of pedigree and history, like the Ford GT and Ferrari 250 GTO.

[whiteballz]

i might be the only unsure subaru fan in here, because i odnt know where my beloved 22b fits, 400 were made, niki grist and colin mcrae were given the first 2 off the roller, and the car has an extremely interesting history and many many race wins! its handmade, etc not 2 expensive considering it could knock off many a italian and german sports cars! not 2 mention other jap pocket rockets, it wouldnt stand a chance in a straight line againt a skyline or supra, but because its so small and light awd 2.2 litre its accel is astronimical! 0-100 4 flat. this is an amazing feat by subaru. and im MY books should be a classic, even if its not in the same classic class as the e type or 250. ( and the dino beautiful car)

[Matra et Alpine]

to relive an experience

Best explanatino of why the Morris Marina can be a classic'.
An experience !!!! Never a good one, but memorable.
I hope there aren't any Marina owners here

As you've said Nildo, a 'classic' is defined in MANY different ways.
A nice, simple summary.
Almost all cars can become classics.
The worst and the best

[Old Sage]

To join the vcca vintage chevrolet club of america, the car has to be 25 years old. The Ccca classic car club of america at last word was still holding to the pre-49 standard.

I can't speak toward non-american cars, but a certain uniqueness of the vehicle has something to do with a Classic in the US/Canada, though the term is pretty muddied-up these days. I don't look at a 1973 Granada or a 1982 Citation as classics (no offense to anyone who owns one). On the other hand, the 1980's black Grand National Buick probably will attain that status.

[henk4]

I was at the opening concours of the Dutch Pioneer Automobile club which took place in 1956 or 1957. At that time only cars built before 1930 could register as classics......

[Old Sage]

Henk, do you know if that club still exists? I'm curious what their year breakdown would be today.

[henk4]

Henk, do you know if that club still exists? I'm curious what their year breakdown would be today.

yes they still exist

http://www.pionierautomobielenclub.nl/

Started in 1956
now all cars up till 1940 classify, 300 members, with 400 cars.

[ozzie]

Does the forum think that a Corvette Stingray is a classic car.

[henk4]

Does the forum think that a Corvette Stingray is a classic car.

In spite the large number built, yes.

[Ferrer]

In spite the large number built, yes.

I don't think that it is fair to consider the number of cars produced a negative point. Other cars that have been produced in much greater numbers have undoubted classic status, regardless of the number of cars produced.

[Old Sage]

Good question.

I would vote for all of the pre-73 models.