Antique, Vintage, and Classic Cars - What's the Difference?

Antique, vintage, and classic cars – have you ever wondered what’s the difference?

While many car enthusiasts use these terms interchangeably when it comes to their vehicles, they all have very different meanings. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some key differences between antique, vintage, and classic cars.

WHAT’S AN ANTIQUE CAR?

What is an antique car? Most auto enthusiasts define an antique car as one that’s at least 45 years old. In some states, however, you can register vehicles as antique cars after they hit 20 or 25 years.

Of the three terms we’re breaking down, antique cars tend to have the most varied interpretation. But the most widely accepted definition of an antique vehicle is one that’s at least 45 years old and one that either has the original manufacturer specs or has been restored to reflect these original specifications.

Some popular vehicles that are considered antiques include the 1938 Volkswagen Beetle and the 1957 Chevy Corvette.

WHAT’S A VINTAGE CAR?

A vehicle is considered vintage if it was manufactured between 1919 and 1930 and has the original manufacturer specs or has been restored to reflect these original specifications. It might seem odd that for a vehicle to be considered vintage, it doesn’t have to be in its original condition, and that’s part of what makes this definition interesting. More specifically, a vehicle manufactured between 1919 and 1930 can have been lifted, modified, or customized without losing vintage status.

Perhaps the most popular vintage car is the original Ford Model T.

WHAT’S A CLASSIC CAR?

Classic cars also tend to have a pretty loose definition. However, according to the Classic Car Club of America – an organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, and enjoyment of vehicles – classic cars are those built between 1915 and 1948. Others define a classic car as having been built before the year 2000 or being at least 20 years old. The latter tends to be more of a technical definition.

Others have come to associate classic cars with muscle cars from the 1960s and 1970s era. Some popular vehicles that are considered classics include the 1979 Ford Bronco and the 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

Antique vs classic car. Vintage vs antique. Just how are these vehicles different from one another?

The easiest way to separate classic from vintage from antique is to do so by vehicle dates and their more technical definitions and not how auto enthusiasts may define them. For instance:

• Vintage cars are those that have been manufactured between 1919 and 1930.
• Antique cars are those that are at least 45 years old.
• Classic cars are those that are at least 20 years old.

CONTACT US TODAY

For more information on what an antique car is, and some of the key differences between antique, vintage, and classic vehicles, contact us today. Remember, vehicles can be restored and still carry the aforementioned monikers – and that’s where Wrecktify Collision can help. Contact us today for more information.