What Makes a Car an Antique?
Generically the term "antique" refers to something old, usually made at least a century ago. But in the classic car hobby, an antique car does not have to be 100 years old. There are many organizations to join that promote the collector car hobby, including the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Classic Car Club of America.
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Definition
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Although the definition of an antique automobile can vary widely from club to club, a car is technically considered an "antique" when it is more than 25 years old. However, most people usually refer to cars manufactured before 1925 as antiques. Later makes and models are usually referred to as "classic" cars.
Antique Automobile Club of America
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The premier organization for antique car owners is the Antique Automobile Club of America. The club was founded in 1931. In the 1940s, the club had 850 members. Today there are over 50,000.
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Museum
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In conjunction with the Smithsonian, the Antique Automobile Association maintains a museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The collection contains many examples of restored vintage automobiles. There are between 85 and 100 on display in the museum.
Classic Car Club of America
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In the early days of the collector car hobby, vehicles of more "modern" vintage were excluded from antique car events. In 1951, the Classic Car Club of America was established for cars built between 1925 and 1948.
Car Shows
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Most car collectors attend car shows to display and view antique automobiles. Car enthusiasts can participate in casual cruise-ins, shows hosted by car clubs or prestigious national meets.
Famous Ties
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Jay Leno is a notorious car collector. His collection contains a wide variety of collectible vehicles, including a 1912 Stanley Steamer and a Lamborghini. Leno has a regular car column in the magazine Popular Mechanics.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Kim Kenney
