If you were to ask 10 car enthusiasts their definition of a “classic car”, you would probably get 10 different answers. Even a dictionary will give you several different applications in which “classic” could be used as an adjective. For example:
- Of the first or highest quality, class, or rank.
- Serving as a standard, model, or guide.
- Of enduring interest, quality, or style.
- Of literary or historical renown.
- Definitive.
- One of demonstrably enduring quality.
- An artist or artistic production considered a standard.
- A work that is honored as definitive in its field.
- Something noteworthy of its kind and worth remembering.
These terms could be applied to so many makes and models of cars. In fact, we would be hard pressed to think of any older vehicle that couldn’t be considered an artistic production by someone. And who would have ever thought that a 1969 Chevy Nova SS could fetch $65,000 at auction? Somebody thought it demonstrated an enduring quality.
That same dictionary defined a classic car as “distinguished by elegant styling, outstanding engineering, and fine workmanship that were built between about 1925 and 1948.” That sounds particularly close to the Classic Car Club of America’s (CCCA) definition. The club defines CCCA Classics or Full Classic™ Cars as “...fine or unusual motor cars which were built between and including the years 1925 to 1948. All of these are very special cars which are distinguished by their respective fine design, high engineering standards and superior workmanship.” Ford owners need not apply for membership.
Some insurance agencies only require a car to be 20 years or older to qualify for a classic car policy, but it must be 25 years or older to be eligible for a historical vehicle license plate in many states. Are you confused yet?
From our research, we found no iron clad definition of what is or isn’t a “classic car”. But what we did find is, that whether it’s a 1932 Ford 3 Window Custom Coupe, a 1959 150 Jaguar Drophead Coupe, 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T or a 1979 Volkswagen Beetle; someone will feel that it’s noteworthy and worth remembering – in other words, a classic.
