Autos <
Classic Cars
The term classic car is used to describe an older car. There is a difference in opinion as to what is a classic car. Some consider any older car to be a classic, while others feel 1959 to be the last year for a car to be considered a classic as does the Classic Car Club of America.
A fine or distinctive automobile built between 1925 and 1959 that is American or foreign built is defined as a CCCA Classic by the Classic Car Club of America.
Other points to be considered whether a car is a classic or not, is things such as luxury accessories, automatic lubrication, power clutch, power brakes, engine displacement, and custom coach work.
Any member of CCCA may submit an application to have their vehicle included on the classic car list, but it is rare that they include a new vehicle type.
A legal definition by most states is based on time or how old it is. Defined in Pennsylvania as "A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance."
A car 25 years or older is defined as an antique by the Antique Automobile Club of America. The modern classic is about 15 to 25 years old and according to the Antique Automobile Club of America is not considered a classic.
In the exact identification of a classic car they are usually grouped by division into separate eras that include 19th century experimental autos such as Daimler Motor Carriage, which would fall into the horseless carriage era. Next would be the brass era that would include the Ford ModelT, which falls into the antique cars division, and after that the classic cars from the 1930's, the Cord812 being an example, on up to some of the early muscle cars, with 1974 accepted as the latest.
Classic cars lack the safety features that cars have today such as safety belts, air bags, roll over protection, and crumble zones. The steering, brake performance, and suspension did not have the quality and standards that vehicles do today. Because of this drivers of classic vehicles have to be more careful when driving.
Drivers of classic cars are reluctant to retrofit their vehicles with these safety features because of losing points at the car shows in which they are participants.
