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What exactly is a Classic Car? Has it got something to do with its age? Production quantity? Or even the way it looks.
Many would agree that it is really hard to differentiate a classic car to an old car. Although everyone has an opinion on what a classic car is, there is no definite answer to what makes a car a classic.
The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA), is one of the oldest classic car organisation in America. It was first founded in 1952 to celebrate the pre-war period vehicles. In the words of the CCCA, the definition of a classic is "a fine or distinctive automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948. They are also sometimes called "Full Classics," or just plain "Classics" (with a capital "C"). Generally, a Classic was high-priced when new and was built in limited quantities. Other factors, including engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and "one-shot" or automatic lubrication systems, help determine whether a car is considered to be a Classic."

If this is the definitive guide for the CCCA in choosing their classics, the British known classic Jaguar E-Type is not a classic as it falls out of the timeline of what a classic car is. But we know this to be untrue. When the E-Type was first introduced in 1961, it had already attained an instant status as being a future classic.
There are many classic car organisations around the world that has their own definition of what a classic car is. It seems to differ from country to country.
In the UK, there is also no fixed definition of a classic car. However, the government Revenue and Customs says that, "All cars first registered before 1 January 1973 are free from paying the annual vehicle excise duty. The government Revenue and Customs define a classic car for company taxation purposes as being over 15 years old and having a value in excess of 15,000." This makes more sense. Over 15 years and carries a value in excess of 15,000. There aren't many old bangers that would carry that much value after 15 years. So if your car fits the definition of the UK's Revenue and Customs, does it mean it is a classic? Maybe.
Another way of knowing is to define what classic' means in the dictionary. The dictionary mentions 'of the highest class', 'typical, excellent as an example' and standards of agreed excellence'. In plain English would be, a car better than the ordinary.
So, assuming that your car has all the characteristics as defined above, does that make your car a classic? Like I said earlier in the article, there is no definitive answer to what makes a car a classic. But at least now you know if your car might just earn the title Classic Car'.

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