| There is a niche market out there for classic car | | | | groups with regards to these cars. Groups often argue |
| models. These are older models no longer being built | | | | as to the exact number of years it takes for a car to |
| by the manufacturer, kept to the original factory | | | | be considered a classic but most hold it at around |
| statistics, and maintained to be at least in working | | | | 15-20 years from the original year of manufacture. |
| order. While not suited for regular driving, a classic car | | | | Some groups have a stricter guideline than others in |
| has a value that transcends the utility of driving. These | | | | determining what belongs on the list as a classic car |
| models are rare finds and while their financial value | | | | and what does not. Some models, like the |
| may fluctuate in the intervening years, these cars are | | | | aforementioned Cadillac and the Ford Model-T, are |
| still beloved by the people who own them because of | | | | nearly universal among these lists but other makes and |
| the nostalgic air that they have, that unmistakable | | | | models, like the 1948 Pontiac Sedan or the Impala, are |
| quality of a bygone era of car manufacture. With that | | | | not as widespread in acceptance. There are groups |
| in mind, what exactly defines a classic? | | | | that recognize a model of car that was made in limited |
| A classic car is, simply put, a car that belongs to the | | | | quantities, therefore a collectible, to be among the list |
| highest levels of style and class, the type of car that | | | | of classics. In reality, there is no clear-cut definition of |
| inspires modern myths. Some examples of this type of | | | | what a classic vehicle is or is not, though there are |
| car are the legendary pink Cadillac and the equally | | | | some cars that make it into any list by any definition |
| revered Chevy Impala. They are typically over 25 | | | | because to the sheer value and nostalgia that they |
| years old and are often compared to fine wine, in the | | | | inspire, or through the mythic status the cars have |
| sense that these cars can only get better with age. | | | | come to enjoy over the years. |
| For the most part, these cars are no longer fit to be | | | | In the end, one should use a classic car list that fits |
| driven on a daily basis and the few that are require | | | | one's needs. There is currently little consensus as to |
| painstaking, near-constant maintenance to stay that | | | | how to exactly define a car but some elements, like |
| way. Interestingly, if a formal definition is what you | | | | insurance and popularity, should play a role in how a |
| want, you're not likely to find a consistent one. Different | | | | person defines the term "classic car." However, all |
| groups have different definitions of what a classic | | | | these groups agree that a classic, beyond the |
| model is, and even the car insurance industry has rules | | | | objective level, is a model of car that inspires |
| for defining what is or is not a classic automobile. | | | | memories of past decades and must have potent |
| Much like the art world and their masterpieces, no | | | | nostalgic presence. |
| single definition appears to cover and appease all | | | | |