Here's a thread for open discussion. I have seen this topic debated before and felt it would be a good discussion here. What makes a car a classic. Share your thoughts.

 

Merriam-Webster offers a variety of definitions to the word "classic".
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classic

In my opinion, defining a car as "classic" for the automotive enthusiast world is nothing more than an age based criteria. I know many states, car clubs and insurance companies will state that any vehicle that is 25 years or older is now a "classic". Some areas use terms "vintage" and "antique" and I have seen those terms be used in different manners. Some are used in place of "classic" and some are used to define vehicles even older than 25 years.

Just because a car is 25 years and older and may be accepted by my consideration of "classic" does not automatically increase its monetary value or its desirability/demand in the market place, but it may influence those factors. Value and demand are still going to be affected by the condition of the vehicle compared to what is available. Demand can also be dictated by the vehicle's recognizably. For example, many believe if it was not for the "Back to the Future" movie series, the DMC-12, commonly called a "Delorean" would have disappeared from the world and few would care. Because of the success and fan base for the movies, it has helped keep the Delorean in the public's view adding recognition to the vehicle and that helps add demand and then demand helps add value.

 

Same here, Im used to hearing it referred to as age based only. The odd thing for me is, at least when talking about cars with my car friends, it's not a rolling 25 years from present but rather a fairly fixed time period.

Generically speaking - we'd refer to pre-war stuff as antique, post war up to early 70s as classic, and mid 90s+ as modern (roughly the mainstream rollout of ABS, PFI, airbags, etc). I'm sure that varies heavily by the age of the person you're talking to and what cars they're into though.

 

If you look at a car and it evokes nostalgia, then it's a classic.
Associating a value to this becomes difficult because something is worth only as much as someone is willing to pay.

 

I beg to differ on the DeLorean. The man was involved in the Firebird. His own company tanked, yet it was a unique car, regardless of the Back to the Future movies. To me a classic is a car that has some story to it, cars in demand, crowd pleasers. A Yugo is not what I would consider a classic regardless how old it is.

 

I like the definition of a classic/collectible as described by Jay Leno. Who would be more qualified than him?

The rule of thumb is typically any vehicle that is at least 20 years or older. Ultimately, it depends on the classic car definition used by your state, insurer, or car collecting club as each may have its own age rules. Classic cars are a subset of a broader category of "collector cars" which includes both restored classic cars, limited production and newer exotic vehicles. It can be an argument for the enthusiast when it comes to car shows or insuring.

I like the best rule of thumb according to Jay Leno:

• The vehicle should be of technical or historical interest.

• It should be fun to drive.

• It should be pleasant to look at.
  
  Jay Leno knows a thing or two about "classics."

 

The tough part is the last two are entirely subjective and even the first depends heavily on the interests / knowledge of the person making the assessment.

So it still ends up in the conundrum of different people drawing the lines in different spots.

 

These points are true. I really liked the first point "should be of technical or historical interest", but is it fair to say that something that does not fit this does not qualify? By that definition alone, many cars we see as "classics" could be argued don't fit this but could fit the other two depending on the eye of the beholder topic.

The rule of thumb 20 or 25 years of age is a decent "universal" measure.

Under the generic "classic" term, there are certainly other sub-categories, like collector, desirable, fun to drive, unique, historical or technological relevance and many others. Such as a Geo Prism from the 80's would fit an age requirement to be a classic, but does NOT make it desirable to most. And some confuse "classic" with "valuable". Value is dependent on demand.