How old is considered an american classic?

[drunkmunky]

I've been curious about this for a while. I've heard 20 years tossed around alot. what do y'all think is considered to be "classic"? Is it defined by the lines/curves? year? look? engine?
please no smart ass remarks.

[Dano Moparo]

use to be 25 years , I really dont consider 1980 models classis tho.

IMO classics should be 50's vehicles anything older should be vintage.

Then again its a matter of opinion, Muscle cars were designated as BIG BLOCK mid sized cars when the term first arrived. In time small bock cars were classed into them also.

[HerHotRod]

I was able to find this.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_car

It was actually pretty interesting. Here is a part of it...

The Classic Car Club of America claims to have invented the term Classic car and thus they believe that the true definition of the term is theirs. 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." ......

This rather exclusive definition of a classic car is by no means universally followed, however, and this is acknowledged by the CCCA: while they still maintain the true definition of 'classic car' is theirs, they generally use terms such as CCCA Classic or the trademarked Full Classic to avoid confusion.

More common usage fundamentally equates Classic car with the definition of antique car as used by the Antique Automobile Club of America, who define an Antique car as one over 25 years old. Thus, popular usage is that any car over 25 years old can be called a 'classic car'.

25 years is generally considered a good cut-off age for such terms because it's extremely rare for a vehicle that old to still be owned or used without special consideration for its classic status - by 25 years old, a car will have exceeded its design life by some considerable margin, 10-15 years being the norm barring accidental loss.

As far as what defines it besides the year, I think all of what you mentioned. Lines, body style, drivetrain, availability and # of cars produced at the time, etc. But honestly, for you and me I think a lot is personal prefrences too. Insurance companies probably follow the stricter guidlines.

[drunkmunky]

use to be 25 years , I really dont consider 1980 models classis tho.

IMO classics should be 50's vehicles anything older should be vintage.

Then again its a matter of opinion, Muscle cars were designated as BIG BLOCK mid sized cars when the term first arrived. In time small bock cars were classed into them also.


By no means do I consider my car a classic muscle car. I love the style it has and the feel. But would give anything for more "muscle". Something from the 70's.

just wanted to see what people think.

[74javelin]

for me it would have to be early 70's or older. i know it's 2005 but there was very few cool looking cars in the late 70's and 80's. i would go up to 1981 for a camaro or firebird, the last year of that body stlye. same thing with the vett's.

[HerHotRod]

for me it would have to be early 70's or older. i know it's 2005 but there was very few cool looking cars in the late 70's and 80's. i would go up to 1981 for a camaro or firebird, the last year of that body stlye. same thing with the vett's.

I've pretty much always thought 70's and older also. But time seems like it goes by so fast and before you know it cars in the 90's will be considered classics.

[24-7]

If 20 years makes a classic, I have 3 years left.

[Dano Moparo]

By no means do I consider my car a classic muscle car. I love the style it has and the feel. But would give anything for more "muscle". Something from the 70's.

just wanted to see what people think.

Sorry, I wasn't cracking on your model, but I see a lot of like 1981 Cordoba's and LeBarons that people think are some kind of Classic. I have this customer, he has been comming in for years and is a real pain in the ass. He has a 79 4 dr Lebaron/Diplomat POS. Some stupid roof top fiberglass carrier on the deck lid that needs a broom handle to keep the deck lid up, total POS right. When he is in trying to get parts,( he still doesn't get the message I'm trying to blow him out with "its discontinued" on everything he asks for) he tells people that we are both restoring old classic's. What's even worse is that he is an engineer and has to give me the details on how this part was manufactured. I hated to do it, but I blew him off to NAPA.

[Flastangs]

so my 1972 Ford Pinto is or isnt a classic??:dunno: :-D

[corey r.]

if your ford made it out of warranty successfully, its a classic!

[drunkmunky]

[QUOTE=Dano Moparo]Sorry, I wasn't cracking on your model, but I see a lot of like 1981 Cordoba's and LeBarons that people think are some kind of ClassicQUOTE]
No offense taken. It's all good. I love my car. But someday I will sell it and buy a true classic. defiantely something from the 70's. Leaning towards a chevelle!

[plymouthpower]

Well To Me What Makes The Muscle Car A Muscle Car Is The Look They Have Very Destinct Looks About Them And Its Kinda A Tie Between The Motor Size The Look And The Years Pretty Much 60-75 Were The Best Years For The American Muscle Hope I Was A Little Help For You But I Really Dont Know The Exact Deffinition For The Classic Muscle Cars !!!!