I am truly amazed at what you brits call a "Classic". If I am to go by the
contents of popular British magazines, any occasionally self propelled
automotive device( yes, I once owned a non-lamemted Marina) no longer in
production, and preferably achieving the most plebian level of design and
engineering, is a bone fide "Classic".
In North America we are, or at least have been, IMHO, a bit more
discerning.
The collector car hobby/business generally recognizes "Classic" as defined
by the Classic car Club of America.
CLASSIC - a term defined by the Classic Car Club of America to include only
specific important marques built between 1925 and 1948. Often applied
loosely by owners to any car. Usually the cars recognized by CCCA as "Full
Classics" were built in limited production numbers and were quite expensive
when new. As a group, they represent the pinnacle of engineering, styling
and design for their era.
British vehicles recognized as "Full Classics" include:
Triumph Dolomite 8 and Gloria 6
Vauxhall 25-70 and 30-98
Sunbeam 8 cylinder and 3 litre twin cam
SS Jaguar 1932 - 1940 S.S. 1, S.S. 90, SS Jaguar and SS Jaguar 100
M.G. 1935 - 1939 SA 1938 - 1939 WA
Daimler All 8 and 12 cylinder
Alvis Speed 20, Speed 25, and 4.3 litre
Aston-Martin 1927 -1939 - All
To see a list of Full Classics go to
http://www.classiccarclub.org/CarList.htm
Other "definitions include:
VINTAGE - formerly a term describing cars built between 1915 and 1925 but
now used broadly, especially in England, to include cars manufactured
between 1920 and 1942.
ANTIQUE - a general description of any car that is 25 years old or more.
All Full Classics are antiques, but not all antiques are Full Classics
As for my humble collection, all are legally "antiques" (25 years old
minimum), they are surely "veterans" (at least most of their components are)
and they are definitely "Classy", especially the 'S' Type, but alas they are
not classics. Just fine examples of a particular period and genre of motor
vehicle.
Cheers
Don.
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