When is a car a Classic

B1gft

I am sure this has being asked before, but I cant see it on the forum.

When is a car a Classic?
Who says it's a Classic?

I have just bought a mercedes 200e 1995. 15 years old, lovely, is it a Classic?

If I went to a classic car show, with it, (which I have no intention) would they laugh at me.

Just like to know your thoughts. When is a car a classic?

Anan1

It really depends on your definition. For VRT/road tax it's 30yrs, for insurance it's generally 20 years, for classic car shows it really depends on the car. I don't think they'd laugh at a W124 E-Class, but they mightn't all agree that it's a classic just yet.;)

Abelloid

I don't see why anyone would laugh at you, MX-5s have been turning up at classic shows for as long as I can remember.

L-M

It's not the case of "when", it's more the case of "what".

Who says it's a classic? Well that up to you!

corktina

if you cherish it then to you its a classic and thats fine by me...

sogood

I recently posted on this same topic and I think aside from the "official criteria" it's a matter of personal taste etc. I regard my 735 as a classic, but technically it's not. Mores the pity as the tax is a killer, but that must be some indication of the esteem that I hold this car in. For many people a car is simply a means of transport (and many cars are just that) but for others, aesthetics, history, x factors and god knows what else comes into play. If it floats your boat, then enjoy. I posted a pic of my baby under the thread "Any other 7's?" Go see for yourself, but to me it will always be a classic.

carchaeologist

A car is a classic car only if its a porsche or a mercedes or other exotic car worth more than 5000eu and older than 1980.



























Joking:D
If its an older car that you think is worth keeping and you have an interest in keeping it on the road and in good shape then its a classic to me.Its a very broud term,and creates endless discussion!:p

B1gft

I would totally agree with you all, but Question,
The classic car shows, who defines there what a classic car is?

Anan1

B1gft wrote: »

I would totally agree with you all, but Question,
The classic car shows, who defines there what a classic car is?

If you mean in the sense of what cars are allowed in for display, i'd say it's up to the organisers of each event. There's no generally accepted cutoff point for what constitutes a classic and what doesn't.

sogood

B1gft wrote: »

I would totally agree with you all, but Question,
The classic car shows, who defines there what a classic car is?

Apart from that, if you have a car that you're proud to show off, there are often meets, shine and show events and similar, organised by owners groups etc. who wouldn't be as strict regarding criteria as laid down by some of the classic car clubs. If not, then put up a post and organise your own meet. Amongst most car enthusiasts, there is always the desire to get together, any excuse at all, fund raising charity cruise, whatever.

corktina

everyfordireland who cater for ALL Fords including brand new are finding a huge amount of new members are young fellers with Focuses or Fiestas (for instance) who are intensly proud of them and have no other "club" to belong to...they are already classics in the eyes of these guys and some of them are works of art.

carchaeologist

corktina wrote: »

young fellers with Focuses

Foci?:p

sogood

carchaeologist wrote: »

Foci?:p

What would the plural of Hyundai be then?

carchaeologist

sogood wrote: »

What would the plural of Hyundai be then?

Hyundai plural?? Isnt that the people carrier..or is it the 4x4...??So many stupid names...lol!!:p

corktina

eejits:D

fryup

would you conasores (did i spell that right?):o

consider a 20yr old Renault 5 as a classic ??

bookerboy

I've heard the term "future classic"used alot lately.

Dades

I think the "small boy" test is always fair in determining a classic.

Will a small boy ever stop and point at your car as you drive past?

MercMad

The problem that you will have with a W124 is that anybody who knows anything will concede that its deffinitely a future classic. Everyone else will reckon its a regular Merc.

As far as the shows go the unnoficial rule is cars must be over 30 or be of some particular significance, however as most of these shows are charity shows they welcome the income and will allow modern cars on the Club stands providing they are very much in the minority.

The Mercedes Club do allow W124/W126's in fact ANY Mercedes provided it it in near show condition, as we are a marque club and not merely a classic car club, and do not therefore discriminate against any members. There is a restriction on space and older cars are given preference though we believe the public do like a general mixture.

I think this is the way other similar marque clubs operate also.

Dades

What you describe is the "dodgy neighbourhood" test.

Redrocket

I had a kid and his father turn their car around to follow me one day 3 miles to a petrol station
Good test :up:

corktina

Dades wrote: »

I think the "small boy" test is always fair in determining a classic.

Will a small boy ever stop and point at your car as you drive past?

does that include pointing AND laughing?

fryup

fryup wrote: »

would you conasores (did i spell that right?):o

consider a 20yr old Renault 5 as a classic ??

no one has answered my question

shawnee

When all your workmates drive 07/08/09 s and you're still driving a 15/20 year old car. When you're wife says "when are you gonna get rid of that yoke"
. And yeah when the kid points at your car . When the guy comes up to you in the forecourt and starts telling you about the lovely one his Dad had and that he is sorry he didn't keep it.
When you think about selling it but change your mind or worse still when you sell it and you regret it.
Then you're car is a Classic :pac::D:p