eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

Fact Sheet

Definition of a Classic Car

Contributor
By LReynolds
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)
Definition of a Classic Car
Definition of a Classic Car

A classic car stands out anywhere but it's difficult for collectors to define what the term means. Most will agree that, to become a classic, an automobile must be a "lady of a certain age," but disagreements on that characteristic alone only begin the debate. There are certain characteristics that most collectors look for, however, even if they can't agree on specifics.

    Age

  1. The grille of a 1915 Cadillac Roadster
    The grille of a 1915 Cadillac Roadster
    The Classic Car Club of America requires cars to be built before 1948 to be considered, but many states license cars older than 20 to 25 years old as antiques.
  2. Price

  3. 1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster
    1936 Auburn Boattail Speedster
    Classic cars depreciate until a certain age, just like any other. What sets them apart is that they depreciate less rapidly and then begin to appreciate until the asking price is frequently anywhere from 10 ro 100 times more than the original price of the car.
  4. Distinctive Style

  5. 1918 Buick Roadster
    1918 Buick Roadster
    Innovative and attractive styling always sets a vehicle apart, no matter what its age.
  6. Historic Preservation of Original

  7. 1933 Ford Vicky Roadster
    1933 Ford Vicky Roadster
    Classic cars, many of whom may have "done time" sitting in the "back 40" or as teenagers' street cars, must be comprised of original or restoration parts: they may be "over-restored" but not modified.
  8. Distiguishing Engineering

  9. 1953 Chrysler Windsor Two-Door Coupe
    1953 Chrysler Windsor Two-Door Coupe
    Most classic cars were recognized--and continue to be admired for--innovative or trend-setting engineering.
  10. Desirability

  11. 1931 Ford Model
    1931 Ford Model "A" Rumble Seat Roadster
    The value of a collector car is in large part determined by its desirability, which is largely determined by how many were built and how many remain.
  12. Documentation

  13. 1932 Plymouth Convertible
    1932 Plymouth Convertible
    The provenance of a classic car must be clear--it should contain all sales contracts and maintenance records.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment Post this comment to my Facebook Profile

eHow Article: Definition of a Classic Car

Related Ads

Hobbies, Games & Toys
Nate Chang, eHow Expert,

Meet Nate Chang, eHow Expert eHow's Hobbies, Games & Toys Expert.

Get Free Hobbies, Games & Toys Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

eHow Hobbies, Games and Toys
eHow_eHow Hobbies, Games and Toys