I agree, the term "classic" has been degraded to the point that it is almost
meaningless
now, in my opinion. After all, we have Coke "Classic" and Apple calls its last
operating
system, which is only about 2-3 years old, "Classic mode," etc., etc. I think
it all depends
on age, too. I once heard a guy in his 20's refer to an 80's model car as a
"classic."
Maybe to him! :)
I think the Classic Car Club of America is the group that really started using
that term, or
at least made an attempt to define it, and I'm sure that definition is printed
somewhere.
Just being old does not automatically make something a classic!
(Unless we are talking people!)
If I recall their definition there were several requirements. In order to be
considered a
classic, a car had to:
1. Be the first of a series or the last of a series (the first 300, the last
Imperial convertible)
and/or
2. One of the models from a distinguished line of models (any Duesenberg, etc.)
and/or
3. represent a significant technical or styling advancement
and/or
4. represent a desirable "only" of anything-- e.g., the only turbine car, the
only Corvette
with a split rear window, the only year XZY option appeared, etc.
Please go easy on me, this is from memory! (Fuzzy memory, at that)
To be "collectible" there were other criteria, like popularity. Many folks
will call a car a
classic when in truth it is really more of a collectible. An example would be
a Gremlin.
Not really an outstanding car for any reason, so it can't be a classic. But
it's unique and
sort of interesting, so it's definitely collectible.
Maybe someone can find these definitions and reprint them here.
Mark M
> From: Mike Pittinaro <mechimike@xxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 2004/03/12 Fri AM 10:45:54 EST
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: IML: Classic?
>
> > I am always amazed at just how loosely the term
> > "Classic" is used, especially in advertisements like
> > this. They do the same thing with "Antique". These
> > terms and another one (Milestone) are very specific
> > definitions that apply to specific "eras" of
> > collectible automobiles.
>
> The abhorrent condition of that '68 'vert
> notwithstanding (I didn't even notice the harvest gold
> carpetting, i was looking at the car on my projector
> which is only a 800x600 res), I thought that a 68
> Imperial would qualify as a Classic. In the state of
> Maryland, you can get Historic plates for anything
> older than 25 years, or older than 20 years if it is a
> discontinued model. I thought that 25 years was the
> threshold for "Classic". Antique I profess to know
> nothing about, but I thought it was something like 50
> years old...again, these definitions I am thinking of
> refer to a car's age, not to the time period during
> which they were made. I guess, using my logic, in
> 2040 a 1990 Ford Taurus (if there are any left) will
> be an Antique.
>
> =====
> --Mike Pittinaro
>
> One point eight litres
> Stromberg carburators sing
> Loose nut at the wheel
>
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