You may think that defining what makes a vehicle a classic would be simple, but you’d be mistaken. Knowing what makes a car a classic will vary depending on who you ask. Most people may not have the same opinion as you, obviously. Calling a car a classic just because it is old is a great misconception, there are a lot of factors that you need to consider before you can determine if it is a classic or not.
The most popular definition on what makes a car a classic is that of the Classic Car Club of America; it states that a classic vehicle is one that was manufactured between the years 1925 – 1948. According to them it is a mistake to call cars from the 60’s or 70’s as classics; this is where conflicts are not uncommon. Purists say that vehicles made in that era are still relatively too new to be considered as true classics.
But why is it important to know if a vehicle can be called a classic or not? Well for one, the insurance for classic cars is different from regular cars. Classic cars have more value so regular car insurance isn’t the proper one for these vehicles; they need specialty insurance that have more coverage. Having an appropriate comprehensive insurance is a requirement for most cars, and you’re taking a huge risk if you opt not taking an insurance policy for your car, especially if you have a valuable classic one.
The resale value of the car is affected if a car is a classic as well. The price of classic cars is of course higher than regular cars, and often they should increase in value as time passes, making it a worthy investment.
And there’s also the exclusivity you get when you own a classic car. It really adds to one’s self-esteem if he’s riding in a car that’s considered to be a classic. You have more bragging rights if you’re driving, or better yet have a chauffeur drive you around in a 1963 Bentley Continental than just a regular limo or luxury car.
Asking a professional such as those at Leland West Insurance assess the true value of your car is a good idea if you really want to know if your car can be considered a classic. Joining a classic car club is also a great way to obtain information. Whatever your reasons may be in wanting to know how to define a classic car, whether you’re selling one or just curious, you will need to do some pretty extensive research but the knowledge you will be gaining will be worth it.
