Classic car

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Ford Model A Four-door

1948 Buick Eight convertible

1959 Chevrolet Impala

A 'yank tank' or 'maquina' in Havana, Cuba

Another 'yank tank' in Havana

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, considering any older car in fine condition a classic. Others, including the "Concours d'Elegance" and the Classic Car Club of America maintain that 1948 is the last year for the true classics.

1 Classic Car Club of America Definition
2 Other Definitions
3 Classic Car Styling
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Classic Car Club of America Definition

The Classic Car Club of America claims to have invented the term Classic car and thus it believes that the true definition of the term is its. According to the CCCA:

A CCCA Classic is a fine or distinctive automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948. 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.

The Club keeps an exhaustive list of the vehicles it considers Classics, and while 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 use terms such as CCCA Classic or the trademarked Full Classic to avoid confusion.

[edit] Other Definitions

[edit] 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."

[edit] Antique Automobile Club of America

The Antique Automobile Club of America defines an Antique car as over 25 years old.

[edit] United Kingdom

There is no fixed definition of a Classic car. Two taxation issues do impact however, leading to some people using them as cut off dates. All cars first registered before 1 January 1973 are free from paying the annual vehicle excise duty. The government Revenue and Customs define a classic car for company taxation purposes as being over 15 years old and having a value in excess of £15,000. [1]

[edit] 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, Kaiser and 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 or Pierce Arrow or in a smaller form, the MG TC, with traditional lines, might typify the CCCA term. Thus, it may be a classic example of a later period, but not a car from the "Classic period of Design", in the opinion of the traditionalist CCCA faction.

The French 1948 Delahaye is a good example of a final year of "Classic Era Design".

1948 Delahaye

Among the marques of cars that are usually considered Classic are:

Alfa Romeo - Auburn - Bentley - BMW - Buick - Cadillac - Cord - Delahaye - Duesenberg - Graham - Hispano-Suiza - Jaguar (car) - LaSalle - Lincoln (automobile) - Mercedes-Benz - MG (car) - Morgan - NSU - Packard - Pierce-Arrow - Renault - Rolls-Royce - Stutz

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Old Classic Car - A UK based site containing articles, an extensive photograph archive, and free downloads for enthusiasts of classic and vintage cars.
Classic Cars history - Online resource for classic cars based on car model, year and specification.
Classic & Dream Cars - Dedicated to Classic Cars and their influence on present Concept Cars' design.