The big news item at the moment is a major classic car show organiser (greenwoods exhibitions) are re-introducing their 1981 cut of rule so if you car is younger than this it won't be allowed to attend any of their shows as it isn't deemed a classic in their eyes.

In my opinion this is shooting themselves in the foot as it misses of cars which we all consider to be classsics. A few examples being Late SD1s, Ford Capris, Deloreans...The list could go on of 1980's cars of which we all consider them to be classics.

So what is your definition of a classic? Should it be a strict cut of date, or should some more sense come into it.

As we own a 1985 "classic" we may well be a little biased, but come on these cars are classics in their own rights. How often do you see a nice capri, early sierra, cosworth even. You don't. They are all locked away in there garages. There are no hard and fast rules as to what is a classic. There never really has been either.

I hear what you're saying, but is rarity alone sufficient enough a criteria for a car to be called a classic?

I've not yet seen a Maybach, does that mean it's a classic?

I'm still waiting to see a Bentley Azure turbo continental, is this also a classic?

It's impossible really to pick a date that defines a classic, because there will always be an exception to the rule, but if I had to, I guess it would probably be a twenty year cut-off point. I know this excludes many cars that people would define as a classic, but there has to be criteria by which we judge, and personally, I think it should be twenty years :)

I'd call my 1994 Toyota Supra RZ a classic, because it grabbed a market sector and shook it up, completely re-writing the rules and expectations. Plus it (IMHO) looks timeless - it certainly doesn't look like a 13 year old design (nor does it drive like one! ;))

I think 'classics' can be classed as such because they are;
- groundbraking, or
- old,
- extremely desirable for whatever reason; looks... performance... history... (NB: this is not the same as rare), or
- a mix of the above

rarety has nothing to do with it in my humble opinion.

To me, the fundamental definition of a 'classic' is a car which is old; as Stagewalker mentioned, 20 years is possibly a useful cutoff point. It's rather scarey to think that takes us to only 1986 though :o . Desirability is another important feature, though insufficient on its own, I think.

Personally, a classic to me suggests the mid 70s and earlier. For example a MkIII Cortina is a (beautiful) classic, a MkV isn't (infact, it's a wardrobe on wheels ;) ).

I'd call my 1994 Toyota Supra RZ a classic, because it grabbed a market sector and shook it up, completely re-writing the rules and expectations. Plus it (IMHO) looks timeless - it certainly doesn't look like a 13 year old design (nor does it drive like one! ;))

I think 'classics' can be classed as such because they are;
- groundbraking, or
- old,
- extremely desirable for whatever reason; looks... performance... history... (NB: this is not the same as rare), or
- a mix of the above

rarety has nothing to do with it in my humble opinion.

But surely, based on your points, a brand new 'out of the showroom' Maybach could be classed as a classic?

Humm, I've got issues with that. :)

But surely, based on your points, a brand new 'out of the showroom' Maybach could be classed as a classic?

Humm, I've got issues with that. :)
Why, which one of my criteria does it meet?

I usually hate the vulgar things, so it's certinaly not (in my eye) desirable in the slightest.
AFAIK it's not groundbraking...
And it's not old!

Why, which one of my criteria does it meet?

I usually hate the vulgar things, so it's certinaly not (in my eye) desirable in the slightest.
AFAIK it's not groundbraking...
And it's not old!

This is the thing, I think it is groundbreaking! If you study it close up, there has never been another car quite like it! (this, depending on your viewpoint could be classed as either a good thing or a bad thing :hihi:)

It is obviously desirable, because there's a waiting list and only a selected few can afford one.

And mentioning old, well exactly what is old? Who defines old?

I think your car sounds wonderul (albeit not my type) but as for being a classic? hmm, IMO, it isn't. But who am I to tell folk what a classic is?

There are people who would say that one of my cars isn't a classic (Peugeot 504 Sedan) but I don't fret over it. It's only their opinion!

:)

Wave to your Dad btw :)

Well it seems we all have differing ideas on what is a classic. I would certainly say that our 1980 Fiesta is a classic and our 1985 Sierra XR4i. The fiesta is 26 years old so surely a classic. The Sierra on rarety alone as well as being 21 years of age has to be a classic.

The poor old 1990 Nissan Sunny has a way to go before she can be classed as a classic though. If she ever will be.

the xr4i should be protected forever, icon!
guy with the supra - definatley a classic, and let me know when you want to sell it.
i reckon you can class my MK2 MR2 as a classic, as richard hammond described it in a recent edition of his column in the mirror "a poor mans ferrari"

i reckon you can class my MK2 MR2 as a classic, as richard hammond described it in a recent edition of his column in the mirror "a poor mans ferrari"

I'll keep an eye out for that in the carpark at work :hihi:

Does anyone know anything about road tax exemption? I have a 1974 Beetle and the guy I bought it off told me the car had missed it by 18 days. I always thought it was a 26 year old rule but can't find anything on the web

Does anyone know anything about road tax exemption? I have a 1974 Beetle and the guy I bought it off told me the car had missed it by 18 days. I always thought it was a 26 year old rule but can't find anything on the web
It was a rolling 25/26? year thing but they stopped that decades ago. Here is the official line...
http://direct.gov.uk/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/TaxationClasses/TaxationClassesArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4022042&chk=OoLbFS

Old vehicles constructed before 1 January 1973 (historic vehicles)
All vehicles except buses and lorries used commercially, that were constructed before 1 January 1973 may tax in the 'historic vehicle' tax class.[...and are exempt from paying vehicle tax]

guy with the supra - definatley a classic, and let me know when you want to sell it.
Will do, but it won't be soon! ;)

i reckon you can class my MK2 MR2 as a classic, as richard hammond described it in a recent edition of his column in the mirror "a poor mans ferrari"
I love the styling of the 'old' MR2 and much prefer it to the current version.

I think for a 'normal' car to be classed as a classic, it has to be at least 25 years old to give even mass produced cars the time so that only well looked after examples are still surviving.
Fiesta MK1s are coming into this now
With better rust prevention, though, more and more cars are surviving a long time.
Certain low volume 'specials' of normal cars (your XR4i, Cosworths) can make it provided the car isn't a wreck.
Certain models produced by some specialist and high-end marques seem to make it automatically at a much younger age than normal, helped by extra desirability, comparative rarity, and stunning road performance and/or aesthetic beauty. TVR Chimaera, Griffith ;) (not biased or anything)
The 'oddballs'. Derided when produced, often for good reason, they become classics later on simply because they didn't sell (rarity, as ever, helps) coupled with downright weirdness. Subaru SVX anyone?