Definition of a classic car

The dictionary defines the expression "classic car" as an "old, well-cared-for model of a vehicle (particularly of a car) with a value for collectors or enthusiasts". However, this begs the question when a vehicle becomes collectible and what leads to the collector value. A classic car should indeed originate from a classical period.

All of the factors mentioned so far indicate the relationship to an object, in this case to an automobile, that has disappeared from the daily scene, was forgotten for a long time, and is brought back to our awareness for a moment. This "forgetting" is of course conditional on the fact that the vehicle is perceived relatively rarely (compared to the mass of other vehicles). The dimension of rarity is supplemented by the popularity of the individual models, which means that classical sports cars and convertibles are more readily referred to as classic cars than a sedan model that existed in parallel with a higher unit volume. This objective dimension is joined by a subjective factor, e.g. a 20-years-old person is more likely to regard a 25-years-old car as a classic car than a 50-years-old person who experienced this vehicle as a mass product. These feelings are generated essentially by the outer appearance of the vehicle. The distinguishing features compared to modern vehicles included chrome bumpers, round headlights inserted in the fenders, recessed (chrome) door handles, extended drip moldings etc. Such vehicles are highly noticeable in today' road traffic (among normal vehicles).

Although the expression "classic car" involves a certain amount of leeway, an exotic car that has always been rare and is perhaps not recognized by anyone is defined earlier as a classic car. The memory effect (described previously) provides rare vehicles reach the "classic car" status after approx. 15 years, in the case of more common vehicles after approx. 20 years. As the expression "classic car" is blurred by subjective variables, a standard had to be found to provide an objective dimension.

Source: Classic Data