What constitutes a classic?

[admin]

NO NO NO NO NO. This is boring, so NO. Who cares what a classic is? It's just a name, like veteren, vintage, tablecloth, horse. I don't care. Let's not confuse historic with classic, vintage with veteran. They're all just words, labels, tags. The important thing with any cherished vehicle is that there is someone who cherishes it. That's the only important thing. I can own any car that i wish (or can afford) so i don't care what anyone else thinks of it - it is mine, therefore it is my business not anyone elses to comment upon. Yes there are cars i like, and cars i dislike and no-one is the same (thank goodness) but it is not for me to pass judgement on anyone elses choices. The world would be a boring place if we all were the same - i don't like Triumph Stags for example, but i'm glad that there are people who do. Personally I'd much prefer to see one mint cherished Fiat Uno at a car show than a field of rusty Morris Minors or Triumphs. A mint Uno is far more interesting even though i like rusty Triumphs.

Please, live and let live. There's no room for snobbery here - if you really want to look down your noses at what other people own, cherish and drive, then i respectfully suggest you join Classic and Sportscars forum (if they have one) or read one of those sorts of magazines. We're an inclusive bunch here, so whether you own a Ford model T or a Ford Probe, you'll be made most welcome.

Cheers,

Neil

[tractorman]

I seem to think the last time someone asked the question, it was because there were people putting German Minis in a classic car show! So, the "new" Mini is a classic already? I suppose some would think so - but does that entitle them to be entered in what we all think of as a classic car show - ie for cars of a certain age? I agree, there are some newish cars that already have the makings of classics - eg Fiat "500" (I can't remember the proper name!), possibly the Veyron and AM DBS. However, as far as I am concerned they are "Modern Classics" and, as such, not what we are discussing here.

Having an age-only definition is dangerous - I can't imagine anyone saying my Mk4 Golf diesel, estate (in silver - argh!) is going to be a classic; but if it survives another ten or twelve years, I fear someone will write on a forum that it is and there will be arguments about it!

Perhaps "Cherished" is a better term for older cars? No, the Golf isn't cherished - at the moment - but someone may take pity on it when I buy something else!

Thankfully all David Brown tractors are over 20yo, there aren't discussions on the club forum about them being classics or not!

[rich.]

mmmmmmmmmmm nissan micra

[rich.]

by the way i quite fancy an early micra.

[mr rusty]

NO NO NO NO NO. This is boring, so NO. Who cares what a classic is?

........well PC should because they have to sell magazines under the title practical classics!! So....stick a mint 20 year old Kia Pride on the cover, very scarce car now but there must be the odd early one still around, do a buyers guide, etc, will that sell the same number of mags than having an E Type on the front? I somehow doubt it.

Does anyone remember wneh Car Mechanics mag did an MGB project car? There were whinges galore on their forum because people wanted to know about fixing modern cars, not old ones....what would be the effect of PC doing something similar in a reverse way, i.e. how to maintain your Nissan Note....the definition of a Classic should really be right at the heart of the mags editorial team and discussion on the subject should really be led by them and encouraged by them - it's what puts food on their table!

[dannyhopkins]

It's the continuing search for an answer to the question that makes working on PC so interesting.

[Martin Evans]

NO NO NO NO NO. This is boring, so NO. Who cares what a classic is?

........well PC should because they have to sell magazines under the title practical classics!! So....stick a mint 20 year old Kia Pride on the cover, very scarce car now but there must be the odd early one still around, do a buyers guide, etc, will that sell the same number of mags than having an E Type on the front? I somehow doubt it.

Does anyone remember when Car Mechanics mag did an MGB project car? There were whinges galore on their forum because people wanted to know about fixing modern cars, not old ones....what would be the effect of PC doing something similar in a reverse way, i.e. how to maintain your Nissan Note....the definition of a Classic should really be right at the heart of the mags editorial team and discussion on the subject should really be led by them and encouraged by them - it's what puts food on their table!

Nicely put, though in time, any surviving Kias and Nissan Notes, will have earned their classic spurs (How many will survive is another matter). I suppose the question could be asked, whether it's more Practical Classics or Practical Bangers.

[mr rusty]

Well I for one like old cars, any old cars, i'm not fussy- I like new cars and new car tech too but that's not for this forum or my wallet for that matter!

Personally, I would quite happily buy PC with a mint 20 year old Kia Pride on the cover- to me it would be a different and interesting article to read, especially with a bit of a history story, but I would suspect that many other people wouldn't and the issue would stay on the shelf: most people who buy a classic car mag already have a pretty good idea in their heads of what a classic car is.

This is why PC of all people really should get a handle on what is, what isn't, and how they do that is the stuff of these threads. I don't find them 'boring' at all!! There may never be a definitive answer but it still makes for interesting discussion. Interestingly, I couldn't find any mention of the forum in the mag, and it is supposed to be a 'fan' forum, and for fan read 'buyer and reader'- I may have overlooked it but I did consciously look, now if the mag is to know what the readers think maybe it should be more prominently advertised that a forum and hence opinion (often bigoted but still valid) on what should be in/out exists!

[ajsphead]

Well I love all old cars purely because they're not modern. I have a personal mental cut off of the early/mid ninetys (15 years ago now) when computers and regulations really took over. However, to me any car is a potential classic if it's not currently being produced in the markets for which it was originally intended. When it actually becomes one is a matter for personal opinion, but as most cars are reckoned to be disposable after about 10 years, I reckon that's not a bad point to start thinking about them. Yes (horror, wash your mouth out with soap) that does mean a mk1 Mondeo could be called a classic (1993), but I'm sure most of you'd think of my Saab 900s (1992) as classics. Granted though, one was designed for 1993, the other for 1979, but they're still only a year apart in age. What I think we all have to do is to keep moving forward. Just because we can tend to stand still with our opinions, it's easy to forget that time is marching on, younger people will get to our ages soon, and they'll have different cars, but probably based on the same opinions as ours. They'll just have a greater problem with electronics failing than we do.

Anthony

[Rhythm Thief]

by the way i quite fancy an early micra.

They're great. My other half had one when I first met her. You can really fling them round corners and drive them flat out everywhere without seriously endangering your licence. And you hardly ever see them around nowadays ...