Whether it’s asixtiesE-Type or a first-gen MX5, it’s easy to tell a classic just by looking at it, but whenit comesdownto it, what are the factors that influencewhethera car isa classic? In this guide, we look at how old classic cars typically are,what makes a classiccar, and other important things toconsiderwhen trying to work out which cars are – or will be – classic models.
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Typically, how old is a classic car?
The age of classic cars can vary considerably, and there are several definitions regardinghow old a car must bebefore it becomesa classic.
HMRC defines classicsas being over 15 years old with a list price of at least £15,000, but to be tax exempt, theclassic must be at least 40 years old. TheAntique Automobile Club of Americanotes classics must be older than 25 years(with cars over 45 years old known as antiques),whereas insurance providers have a wide range ofclassifications.
As such, answering how hold classic cars are is an imperfect art, although generally, a classic can be any age as long as it’s older than the majority of cars on the road, was built after 1946 (prior to that, a car is in vintage territory), is no longer in productionand has been deemed a classicby the motoring community.
What is a classic car?
So how else can we define a classic car?What makes them special?
Rarity– Classic cars must beout of production and not commonly seenon the roads.
Value–Influenced byrarity,conditionandoveralldesirability, the value of classic cars is generally deemed to be static or increasing – not depreciating,as withordinaryvehicles.
Wow factor –Style,engineering, marque, history, personality– there are countlessfactorsthat, even alone,make a car one of a kind and deserving of the ‘classic’ label.
Nostalgia –For many, the cars theyknow asclassics are those that they grew up with and first sought when they began appreciating cars. Emotional connections are tough to argue with!
Classic cars can be defined by any of the above. They’re easy to recognise, but sometimes tough to pin down!
What is a vintage car?
In the UK,the generally accepted rule is thatvintagecarsare those that were builtbetween 1919 and 1930. All vehicles built before this time known asveteran cars, and those built between 1930 and 1945,post-vintage.
Classic cars come in all shapes and sizes, but they need the right care and attention, whatever the model. View our range ofELF HTX classic, vintage and modern classic car oilsorcontact our teamfor more information.
