How old does a car need to be to get accepted as a classic?
Discussion
I know this is a question that comes up a lot and often sparks debate. But I'm now the owner of some cars which probably fall in the category of modern classics or there abouts.
But what do people feel about this? Does a car have to be a certain age to count, regardless of the type of car it is?
For instance, I bought my first TR7 in 1999, it was an early 1976 model and older than I was. Yet that made it only 23 years old. And the youngest TR7 might have been a 1981 model and a mere 18 years old.
But to my mind, it was always a classic car to me. Was it just perception that it was, because it was older than I was? Or is there something that makes a car more classic than others?
Today I own a 1999 Camaro, 1999 Impreza Turbo and a 1999 Range Rover 4.6
Older Camaro's and Range Rover's are clearly classics. But at what age do they stop being a classic?
The Subaru, well that's a little different. There have been few classic Subaru's, but the Impreza was iconic with and still has a huge following. It's certain to make the status in one way or another. The question is when...
They are all 17 years old. The Camaro, being rare and a V8 coupe seems more accepting to the fact. Indeed I've been displaying it at car shows since 2003... and nobody has ever said anything about it's age. Not even at shows that usually carry a 20 year or older policy on entrants.
When will it be acceptable to display the Impreza or Range Rover at such shows however?
But what do people feel about this? Does a car have to be a certain age to count, regardless of the type of car it is?
For instance, I bought my first TR7 in 1999, it was an early 1976 model and older than I was. Yet that made it only 23 years old. And the youngest TR7 might have been a 1981 model and a mere 18 years old.
But to my mind, it was always a classic car to me. Was it just perception that it was, because it was older than I was? Or is there something that makes a car more classic than others?
Today I own a 1999 Camaro, 1999 Impreza Turbo and a 1999 Range Rover 4.6
Older Camaro's and Range Rover's are clearly classics. But at what age do they stop being a classic?
The Subaru, well that's a little different. There have been few classic Subaru's, but the Impreza was iconic with and still has a huge following. It's certain to make the status in one way or another. The question is when...
They are all 17 years old. The Camaro, being rare and a V8 coupe seems more accepting to the fact. Indeed I've been displaying it at car shows since 2003... and nobody has ever said anything about it's age. Not even at shows that usually carry a 20 year or older policy on entrants.
When will it be acceptable to display the Impreza or Range Rover at such shows however?
dlockhart said:
Doofus said:
There are no rules. Classic status is not defined by law.
except when it comes to V.E.D. in which case before 1973Edited by marshalla on Monday 18th April 16:54
I've been waiting 10 years to get into some shows, but I am still rejected from others.
It seems to come down to how popular the show is and how particlular they are to a specific make or model.
I also find that the people on the gate will sometime let you in more easily than the rules state on a web site. It tends to e obvious by the condition and look of a car. Village fetes love an interesting showy car regardless of age.
If you keep with pride and in perfect condition and fully waxed and shiny with a laminated story to show it is obvious people will want to see it even if it is 5 years old.
Most shows state it should be 25 years old, many say 20years.
They can also pander to the target audience of a show, so taking a 90's Toyota to a Morris meet would not be worth it.
Simple charity events like teddybearrun will also show no bias to any car. You just need to enjoy driving, love cars and love donating what you can afford.
Look into specialist shows for you make of car.
I tend to just go to shows I would like to attend, pure car shows can be a bit too much for the kids and not much else to do. Booking in advance if possible will get you a place. If not park with the rest and enjoy the show.
It seems to come down to how popular the show is and how particlular they are to a specific make or model.
I also find that the people on the gate will sometime let you in more easily than the rules state on a web site. It tends to e obvious by the condition and look of a car. Village fetes love an interesting showy car regardless of age.
If you keep with pride and in perfect condition and fully waxed and shiny with a laminated story to show it is obvious people will want to see it even if it is 5 years old.
Most shows state it should be 25 years old, many say 20years.
They can also pander to the target audience of a show, so taking a 90's Toyota to a Morris meet would not be worth it.
Simple charity events like teddybearrun will also show no bias to any car. You just need to enjoy driving, love cars and love donating what you can afford.
Look into specialist shows for you make of car.
I tend to just go to shows I would like to attend, pure car shows can be a bit too much for the kids and not much else to do. Booking in advance if possible will get you a place. If not park with the rest and enjoy the show.
dlockhart said:
Doofus said:
There are no rules. Classic status is not defined by law.
except when it comes to V.E.D. in which case before 1973I've always said it's a classic when (an honest) owner will spend more on restoring it than the resulting car will be worth.
//j17 said:
That's when it becomes a Historic Vehicle, not a Classic Car.
I've always said it's a classic when (an honest) owner will spend more on restoring it than the resulting car will be worth.
"Historic" doesn't appear in the legislation. It's just an "old vehicle" : http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/11/sectio...I've always said it's a classic when (an honest) owner will spend more on restoring it than the resulting car will be worth.
//j17 said:
I've always said it's a classic when (an honest) owner will spend more on restoring it than the resulting car will be worth.
Done that easily with the Subaru. Bought for £1600. And since then spent in the region of £2500 on an engine rebuild, new clutch, new rad, new brake callipers and some other stuff. 
HustleRussell said:
Doofus said:
There are no rules. Classic status is not defined by law.
An old car is not a classic because it's old. All classic cars are old cars, but not all old cars are classic cars.
An old car is not a classic because it's old. All classic cars are old cars, but not all old cars are classic cars.
/thread
Playing devils advocate here.
Would anyone here claim a MK2 Escort isn't a classic? Yet how many would have considered it one when it was 5-10 years old?
What about a Morgan? Would new 2016 Morgan be a classic now? How about a new Lotus, Lambo, Ferrari or Viper?
300bhp/ton said:
But is it?
Playing devils advocate here.
Would anyone here claim a MK2 Escort isn't a classic? Yet how many would have considered it one when it was 5-10 years old?
What about a Morgan? Would new 2016 Morgan be a classic now? How about a new Lotus, Lambo, Ferrari or Viper?
Simple. Playing devils advocate here.
Would anyone here claim a MK2 Escort isn't a classic? Yet how many would have considered it one when it was 5-10 years old?
What about a Morgan? Would new 2016 Morgan be a classic now? How about a new Lotus, Lambo, Ferrari or Viper?
No
None
No
No
No
No
No
300bhp/ton said:
HustleRussell said:
Doofus said:
There are no rules. Classic status is not defined by law.
An old car is not a classic because it's old. All classic cars are old cars, but not all old cars are classic cars.
An old car is not a classic because it's old. All classic cars are old cars, but not all old cars are classic cars.
/thread
Playing devils advocate here.
Would anyone here claim a MK2 Escort isn't a classic? Yet how many would have considered it one when it was 5-10 years old?
What about a Morgan? Would new 2016 Morgan be a classic now? How about a new Lotus, Lambo, Ferrari or Viper?
If you're trying to justify your cars as classics, then I am afraid that I will never be interested in an Impreza or a P38. Even old ones.
300bhp/ton said:
I know this is a question that comes up a lot and often sparks debate. But I'm now the owner of some cars which probably fall in the category of modern classics or there abouts.
But what do people feel about this? Does a car have to be a certain age to count, regardless of the type of car it is?
For instance, I bought my first TR7 in 1999, it was an early 1976 model and older than I was. Yet that made it only 23 years old. And the youngest TR7 might have been a 1981 model and a mere 18 years old.
But to my mind, it was always a classic car to me. Was it just perception that it was, because it was older than I was? Or is there something that makes a car more classic than others?
Today I own a 1999 Camaro, 1999 Impreza Turbo and a 1999 Range Rover 4.6
Older Camaro's and Range Rover's are clearly classics. But at what age do they stop being a classic?
The Subaru, well that's a little different. There have been few classic Subaru's, but the Impreza was iconic with and still has a huge following. It's certain to make the status in one way or another. The question is when...
They are all 17 years old. The Camaro, being rare and a V8 coupe seems more accepting to the fact. Indeed I've been displaying it at car shows since 2003... and nobody has ever said anything about it's age. Not even at shows that usually carry a 20 year or older policy on entrants.
When will it be acceptable to display the Impreza or Range Rover at such shows however?
Your TR7 is definitely a classic for me, the '99 Camaro possibly because it's unusual but the others no.But what do people feel about this? Does a car have to be a certain age to count, regardless of the type of car it is?
For instance, I bought my first TR7 in 1999, it was an early 1976 model and older than I was. Yet that made it only 23 years old. And the youngest TR7 might have been a 1981 model and a mere 18 years old.
But to my mind, it was always a classic car to me. Was it just perception that it was, because it was older than I was? Or is there something that makes a car more classic than others?
Today I own a 1999 Camaro, 1999 Impreza Turbo and a 1999 Range Rover 4.6
Older Camaro's and Range Rover's are clearly classics. But at what age do they stop being a classic?
The Subaru, well that's a little different. There have been few classic Subaru's, but the Impreza was iconic with and still has a huge following. It's certain to make the status in one way or another. The question is when...
They are all 17 years old. The Camaro, being rare and a V8 coupe seems more accepting to the fact. Indeed I've been displaying it at car shows since 2003... and nobody has ever said anything about it's age. Not even at shows that usually carry a 20 year or older policy on entrants.
When will it be acceptable to display the Impreza or Range Rover at such shows however?
I too have a smart roadster and have entered and been accepted in a couple of classic car runs.
This topic has been done to death many times.
There is no definition for a classic car, which makes the whole subject irrelevant.
Vintage and Veteran cars are defined purely by their age. We need formal definitions for other historic periods.
I would suggest that any car over, say 25 years old, should be given a designation. Classic will do.
There is no definition for a classic car, which makes the whole subject irrelevant.
Vintage and Veteran cars are defined purely by their age. We need formal definitions for other historic periods.
I would suggest that any car over, say 25 years old, should be given a designation. Classic will do.
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