How old must a car be to become a classic?

At one time or another, every car enthusiast usually will usually wonder, what age is a classic car? Since it is often times difficult to determine which cars are actually classics and which ones are just old. This leads to the question of how old a car must be to become a classic.

The answer to this question depends on one thing: your definition of a classic car. Yes, it is true. There are many definitions of what a classic car is and how old it must be to qualify. For instance, the Classic Car Club of America defines a classic as a car that was built between the years of 1925 and 1948. While some people agree with this definition, there are others who are totally against it and feel that cars produced in later years can also be considered a classic. Even with the time range detailed above, the club admits that not every car manufactured during this time is a classic.

When referring to cars, some people use the terms classic and antique in the same way. If you are one who believes that these two words are interchangeable, you will want to use the definition as outlined by the Antique Automobile Club of America. They consider cars that are 25 years or older an antique or classic.

Believe it or not, there are also legal definitions of what is a classic car. Of course, there is not just one definition to live by. Instead, they differ from one state to the next. Take California for example. They have a designation for vehicles of historic value based on the type of engine (at least 16 cylinders) if built before 1965, a car built before 1922, or one that is 25 years old with great historic interest. As you can see, the state of California has its own definition which leaves some interpretation. The same holds true with many other states.

For many, a classic is anything that is 20 years or older. This is a standard definition that is believed among the many who know that there is no way of saying for sure what is and is not a classic.

For classic cars sales, the make and model of a particular car is usually more important to a buyer, than is the age. If nothing else, it is widely accepted that a car has to be at least 20 to 25 years old to even be considered for the classic car designation.

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