Classic cars

Classic car - a term generally referring to antique (retro) cars; however, there are a very large number of specific definitions. While some of them are very wide and in fact classify any well-preserved old car as classics, others, for example, the definitions from the Concours d'Elegance or The Classic Car Club of America, are considered as the end of the “1948 classic era," and put other stringent restrictions.

In Europe, they prefer to use the term oldtimer (Eng. Oldtimer) - "old, rare car." As a rule, this word refers to a car manufactured more than 30 years ago.

In modern Russian, the terms “auto” [the source is not specified 930 days] and a rare car that have not yet received an official or even simply established meaning are also common. By "retro" or "rarity" can be meant any fairly old car, due to age it is no longer able to fulfill the functions of an everyday vehicle.

The highly prized oldtimer models are a subject of antiques and collectibles. Currently, there is a whole industry related to the collection, restoration (restoration) and tuning of classic cars.

A rare Mercedes-Benz 190SL (R121 body), released in the amount of 25881 copies [source not specified 930 days] in 1955-1963, is considered a symbol of the movement of oldtimer lovers in Europe.

Modern technologies and materials for restoration allow you to recreate an old car in its original form, while maintaining its full authenticity, down to the smallest detail. But cars that have been preserved in their original form are especially valued.

The status of a classic car should not be confused or confused with the status of a collectable car, that is, it is an object of professional collectibles and is in fairly wide demand in the relevant market. In fact, most mass-produced cars (tens and hundreds of thousands of copies) are not collectible regardless of age (the exception is pre-war cars made in the USSR, due to the events of 1941-45 and other factors, which are usually very rare regardless of the scale of production; but , say, in the USA such a gradation does not exist, since there are no less pre-war cars there than cars of the first pre-war years). Only some of their modifications can be of real interest to serious collectors, as a rule - rare and limited-edition, or certain body types - in particular, coupes and convertibles are traditionally in high demand, while ordinary sedans practically fall outside the circle of collectors' interest, and universals are the subject of interest of only a narrow part of the community. For example, the 1964 Chevrolet Impala model is a classic car, but only the Impala SS sports version, which was produced in a limited edition, has a unique collector status, and even then not of any year of manufacture of classic cars.

At the same time, it is far from necessary for a collection car to be expensive and prestigious at the time of release. On the contrary, curious cars, such as the Peel P50, which are often very rare due to their curiosity and unpopularity, become popular objects of serious collecting. In addition, a mass car can be of collection value if it is closely associated with any famous person or event, however, in this case, there must be strict documentary evidence of such circumstances, and the circle of collectors for whom such a car may be of interest is sufficient narrow.

In most US states, a classic car is officially considered a car manufactured 20 years or more before the current date and maintained in the condition of the factory (or restored to it).

Classic Car Club of America Definition

1948 Delahaye 180 - a classic car according to CCCA. CCCA recognizes as classic only cars of the highest price category, produced in limited quantities between 1925 and 1948. Of the criteria “classic” is also called design - it should include archaic elements, such as individual wings, steps, headlights and so on. They correspond, for example, 1948 Delahaye (in the illustration on the right). CCCA has its own list of classic cars. However, this definition, even in the USA, is considered to be too rigid, and, in order to avoid confusion, the terms Full Classic or CCCA Classic are usually applied to cars that fall under it among collectors.

Antique Automobile Club of America definition. AACA considers classic any car made 25 years ago or more