Classic car age?
Discussion
As a previous owner of pre 1930 vintage, post 1930 post vintage and classic cars over the years I am about to embark upon something far more modern. That is a Fiat Coupe VT dating around the 1996 -99 period.
I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
edit to correct typo on date period.
I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
edit to correct typo on date period.
Edited by crankedup on Wednesday 3rd July 13:45
crankedup said:
As a previous owner of pre 1930 vintage, post 1930 post vintage and classic cars over the years I am about to embark upon something far more modern. That is a Fiat Coupe VT dating around the 1988-90 period.
I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
I think you might struggle there, the Pininfarina designed Fiat Coupe wasn't released until 1993, and the VT until 1998!I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
A typo, I am sure, otherwise you'll be nodding along in a Fiat 126!
Whilst the Fiat 126 could indeed be considered a 'Classic', I think that many would consider the Fiat Coupe as a 'Modern Classic'. And there is no doubt, that as time passes, it will continue to be so.
Great buy.
There's no clear definition, and these threads usually descend in to whether it's just an age thing, or also how rare it is, or how rare it was, or how special it was (in someone's view).
My personal one is that it's a "classic car" when it's over 15 years old, someone's willing to pay more on it than it's worth as a result. So a 10 year-old Fiesta with £80,000 spent on body kits, 600 speakers, etc isn't a "classic car", that's a "modified car", and the rare Ferarri's, etc that sell for millions and so can be cost-effective to restore are "collectors cars", rather than "classic cars".
For the Fiat Coupe I'd say yes, that's a classic. My 1973 Triumph Spitfire was considered a classic when I bought it as a 20 year-old car in 1993, so why wouldn't a 1999 Fiat Coupe be considered a classic in 2019 when it too is 20 years old?
My personal one is that it's a "classic car" when it's over 15 years old, someone's willing to pay more on it than it's worth as a result. So a 10 year-old Fiesta with £80,000 spent on body kits, 600 speakers, etc isn't a "classic car", that's a "modified car", and the rare Ferarri's, etc that sell for millions and so can be cost-effective to restore are "collectors cars", rather than "classic cars".
For the Fiat Coupe I'd say yes, that's a classic. My 1973 Triumph Spitfire was considered a classic when I bought it as a 20 year-old car in 1993, so why wouldn't a 1999 Fiat Coupe be considered a classic in 2019 when it too is 20 years old?
tch911 said:
crankedup said:
As a previous owner of pre 1930 vintage, post 1930 post vintage and classic cars over the years I am about to embark upon something far more modern. That is a Fiat Coupe VT dating around the 1988-90 period.
I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
I think you might struggle there, the Pininfarina designed Fiat Coupe wasn't released until 1993, and the VT until 1998!I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
A typo, I am sure, otherwise you'll be nodding along in a Fiat 126!
Whilst the Fiat 126 could indeed be considered a 'Classic', I think that many would consider the Fiat Coupe as a 'Modern Classic'. And there is no doubt, that as time passes, it will continue to be so.
Great buy.
CAPP0 said:
I've got two of those, both very late 20VT Pluses, the better of the two has been restored and is on an agreed value policy for £10k and that cost me a whole £146 to re-insure last Saturday 
ETA: both are MY2000, so, 19 years old.
I’m currently looking for insurance quote, would you mind advising me of your insurance. ompany?ETA: both are MY2000, so, 19 years old.
I’ve done a fair bit of research on the coupe but if you would like to add your comments and advise I would appreciate.
crankedup said:
As a previous owner of pre 1930 vintage, post 1930 post vintage and classic cars over the years I am about to embark upon something far more modern. That is a Fiat Coupe VT dating around the 1996 -99 period.
I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
edit to correct typo on date period.
I think 'classic' should also consider the car in question.I would consider this to be a very late modern classic, am I deluding myself and need to wait a further 10 years before that tag can be applied?
This is another car that I have had on my bucket list for the past 15 years but one that likely our lad will inherit (poor lad!j
edit to correct typo on date period.
Edited by crankedup on Wednesday 3rd July 13:45
If it was a 1.4 Astra on a 1999 plate. Then no way IMHO.
But the Fiat Coupe was cool when new and has never lost this. It has been a "classic" for years already, albeit a modern one as you allude too.
crankedup said:
CAPP0 said:
I've got two of those, both very late 20VT Pluses, the better of the two has been restored and is on an agreed value policy for £10k and that cost me a whole £146 to re-insure last Saturday
ETA: both are MY2000, so, 19 years old.
I’m currently looking for insurance quote, would you mind advising me of your insurance. ompany?ETA: both are MY2000, so, 19 years old.
I’ve done a fair bit of research on the coupe but if you would like to add your comments and advise I would appreciate.
Yertis said:
I "thought" that the stuff made between about 1975 and 2000 was being lumped together as "retro" or something like.
I think any deffinition based on a fixed date is on to a loser. With the above, why is the last MG B to roll of the production line in Dec. 1974 a classic but the one right behind it that didn't roll of the line in Jan. 1975 'only' a retro car?CAPP0 said:
crankedup said:
CAPP0 said:
I've got two of those, both very late 20VT Pluses, the better of the two has been restored and is on an agreed value policy for £10k and that cost me a whole £146 to re-insure last Saturday
ETA: both are MY2000, so, 19 years old.
I’m currently looking for insurance quote, would you mind advising me of your insurance. ompany?ETA: both are MY2000, so, 19 years old.
I’ve done a fair bit of research on the coupe but if you would like to add your comments and advise I would appreciate.
To my knowledge there is no real definition of what is a classic. However, we have a big do on at Le Mans this weekend and their definition is before 1980. I really don't think that a mass production car of the 90s would qualify. But then what do I know? A MacLaren F1 would be so considered in view of its value and rarity I guess.
//j17 said:
I think any deffinition based on a fixed date is on to a loser. With the above, why is the last MG B to roll of the production line in Dec. 1974 a classic but the one right behind it that didn't roll of the line in Jan. 1975 'only' a retro car?
Well I did say "about 1975" (last Spitfire being 1981 
) but I take your point. It's going to vary from model to model isn't it. 1981 Spitfire = classic / 1980 Quattro = Retro.I must admit I don't really care what they're called, so long as I can get parts...
does it need to be written in an attic?Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff