How do you feel about "Classic"?

[scotty-2-forty]

The Classic Car Club of America, maintains that a car must be between 20 and 45 years old to be a classic, while cars over 45 years fall into the Antique Class. My insurance carrier stated that I could classify my 1996 240SX as a classic under their classification (5 years less for some reason), and I could also get a classic car tag (blue in Florida). So curiosity left me thinking and remembering when I got my first car in 1983. It was a 1970 Mercury Cougar which I decided on after looking at a vast selection of used "classic" cars, albeit defined as muscle cars too, most of which are now becoming "antiques". I wonder if the current younger generation of car enthusiasts thinks of their '89 and up 240's as "classics", in comparison to how I thought of cars at age 15. Please share ...

[mn011890]

ill be honest, ive viewed the old civics, integras, and 240s as classics sometimes, but mostly as the classics of the import scene. kind of the ones where it all started, at least on this side of the pacific. i still call the 60s and 70s muscle cars classics too though...and i definitely do NOT call them antiques

[s13sickboi]

i honestly cant wait till my car is a 'classic' (must be 30 years or older in Texas) so i dont have to get smogged at inspection. i dont really consider my 90' a classic though, its like new to me!

[barefoot mat]

I've never even thought of calling a late 60's-early 70's muscle car an antique.

A guy did once a a car show here in texas when i was little, it did'nt turn out to good for him.


In all seriousness I dont consider my s13 a classic at all. Mabey a pisa sh*t sometimes.

[laxands13]

No, I don't view my 240 as a classic, and I'm 16 haha. Muscle cars are what I view as classic, even thouh I didn't really grow up with them haha.

[Steady_One_S13]

In all seriousness I dont consider my s13 a classic at all. Mabey a pisa sh*t sometimes.

This. Can't say that my bucket is a pos, but I wanna keep it and treasure as long as I can. That's keeping it classic-style

[Drakelee]

I feel like the older Z series (DATSUN) are more classic, I feel like the body style has more to do with a car being a "classic" than the age does IMO

[Khost26]

I feel like the older Z series (DATSUN) are more classic, I feel like the body style has more to do with a car being a "classic" than the age does IMO

This.

I would get the plates though. I think in Colorado insurance drops a little when you get them.

[simmode1]

I like the idea to differentiate classics from antiques. I do feel that the S-Chassis will be a classic to my generation and I also feel fine classifying cars built before I was born as antiques. But then again, I'm 31. I'm an antiqute too compared to alot of the guys on this board...

[Lobo240sx]

Datsun 240z,260z,280z,210,510 etc. to me is considered a classic Nissan/Datsun import. I really don't think a 240sx would be considered a classic. When I think of classic, I'm thinking of Datsuns, 68 Chevy Camaro/Chevelle, 67 Mustang, GTO, Shelby Cobra 427 roadster, Challenger, A 1960's Porsche. American Muscle cars are made like crap today.

[EnjoiNismo]

I understand that classic is over 20 years, but thinking our cars as a "Classic" I don't think I could. Well at least not for a while.
This is classic to me.

[badbob2121]

No, it is currently not a classic... but will be eventually IMO

[krash]

95-98 still seems "new" to me. 2000-2005 is "brand new" to me.

[Razi]

I still see the 90s as being 10 years ago haha.

[EnjoiNismo]

I still see the 90s as being 10 years ago haha.

[Amays U G37S]

I love the 90s and the 90s will be here to stay.

[AZhitman]

Wow.

You guys really DO get it, don't ya?

I was a little concerned when I read the first post, that I'd be disappointed in the responses... Reading this got me a little choked up. I'm proud of you guys.

Rock those classic plates with pride. I get a little irritated when I see a beat-down 1985 Buick Century or a 1982 Oldsmobile Delta 88 wearing "antique" plates, but under the law, they have a right. Let's make sure we always respect the history, and preserve these cars.

You guys own the 510's and 240Z's of tomorrow!

[JKL1031]

I think the supra and rx7 would win before the silvias.

Also here, classic isnt the same as antique. antique is the tag you get when a car gets old. its not called a classic tag.

[motoman399]

95-98 still seems "new" to me. 2000-2005 is "brand new" to me.

i feel the same way

[simmode1]

I think the supra and rx7 would win before the silvias.

Its not a contest... Ppl may have sentimental feelings over a certain car model, but State Law is really what determines whats a Classic or Antique. By State law, S-Chassis, RX7's, Supra's, Z32's, MR2's, etc will all become Classics around the same time.

I think many of you guys are confusing the term "Classic" with "Collectible". I think the question should be whether or not you think the S-Chassis will turn out to be a Collector's Item...

I think it will. The sport of drifting will continue to grow. And love it or hate it, the S-Chassis will always be closely tied to Drifting's roots. So just as Nascar or Rally fans desire whatever cars were integral in those sports roots, ppl are gonna desire un-raped over S-Chassis, IMO.

[JKL1031]

I think the supra and rx7 would win before the silvias.

Its not a contest... Ppl may have sentimental feelings over a certain car model, but State Law is really what determines whats a Classic or Antique. By State law, S-Chassis, RX7's, Supra's, Z32's, MR2's, etc will all become Classics around the same time.

I think many of you guys are confusing the term "Classic" with "Collectible". I think the question should be whether or not you think the S-Chassis will turn out to be a Collector's Item...

I think it will. The sport of drifting will continue to grow. And love it or hate it, the S-Chassis will always be closely tied to Drifting's roots. So just as Nascar or Rally fans desire whatever cars were integral in those sports roots, ppl are gonna desire un-raped over S-Chassis, IMO.

I think the supra and rx7 would win before the silvias.

Also here, classic isnt the same as antique. antique is the tag you get when a car gets old. its not called a classic tag.

I think some of us first need to define classic:

1. serving as a standard of excellence.
2. historically memorable.

A classic car sets a benchmark which is why I mentioned the supra,rx7, skyline etc. Hate to sound like a FnF poser, but..

However, the S chassis may be classical drift cars. Not against any of it; dont ban me, but whats hurting the silvia from being such a classic and respected car is the fact most people slide, tear them apart, and "JDM yo" em out rather than building a tastefully modded car. The silvia does have a plus on being rare, well demanded and thus far holding its value.

All cars will become antiques and get the tag by age, but that does not mean it was a classic.

[simmode1]

Its great that you have an opinion on what "Classic" means. But your opinion doesn't mean sh*t to the DMV. The DMV's opinion is really the only one that counts in this case.

Texas Transportation Code:
§ 548.052. VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION. This chapter does not apply to:
(1) a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home moving under or bearing a current factory-delivery license plate or current in-transit license plate;
(2) a vehicle moving under or bearing a paper dealer in-transit tag, machinery license, disaster license, parade license, prorate tab, one-trip permit, antique license, temporary 24-hour permit, or permit license;

Texas Antique Vehicle Provisions:
Antique license plates are issued for cars, trucks or motorcycles that are at least 25 years old and are a collector’s item. The vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation or carry advertising. The vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance.

Antique plates are issued for five-year periods. The registration fee for the five-year period is $50.30 ($10 per year, plus an additional 30 cents for the registration insignia) for vehicles manufactured in 1921 and subsequent years and $40.30 ($8 per year, plus an additional 30 cents for the registration insignia) for vehicles manufactured in 1920 and prior years. Fees are reduced $10/$8 for each year of the period that has elapsed at the time the application is filed.

Classic Auto:
Classic license plates are issued to cars that are 25 or more years old. Unlike antiques, which cannot be used for regular transportation or carry advertising, classic license plates require a vehicle to be fully registered like any other vehicle, allowing it to be operated on any roadway. A specialty plate fee of $15 is charged in addition to the regular registration fee [pdf, 1 page, 943kb] and other applicable fees.

So the difference is if you get Antique, you don't have to inspect it, but it can only be driven to get maintenance, other than that it can only be towed to shows, etc. A Classic can be driven at anytime but must be inspected.

[JKL1031]

Coolbeans.

[AZhitman]

AZ only has one designation: Historic Vehicle.

Must be 25+ years old, no restrictions.

A lot of people confuse the insurance coverage designations with the license plate designations. Those differ as well.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Check the rules state to state
PA - Needs to be origional or restored, no modifications

Classic Motor Vehicle- Amotor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored toa condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance. Any classic motor vehicle registered under Section 1340 (relating to antique, classic and collectible plates) on the effective date of the amendment to this definition which fails to qualify as a classic motor vehicle pursuant to these provisions may retain such classic registration unless another type of registration is applied for and issued for the vehicle.

[AZhitman]

^ Totally unenforceable.

No disc brakes on a '67 Camaro? Pffft. They can shove that part of the law all up in their a**.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Photos required, they match to stock photos,and request good pics of paint and body. Buddy has classics on his 86 supra, he took photos of a friends car for the app. They were really particular.

[rsmithdrift]

I veiw muscle cars as classics. I viewed my old 84 300z as a classic. I don't view my 240 as a classic. but merely a slightly older than usual car. Still fairly common though, too much so to be called a classic as of yet IMO. Anything sporty and pre-90's I'd call a classic. S12 yes, s13 no. z31yes, z32 no. Not yet anyways. Another ten years or so and they might. They're just too modern still to be classic to me.

That old z31 of mine was like a time machine. You stepped into the past when you got into that thing. Straight into the early 80's. It FELT like a classic car to drive. My 240 is very 90's and I cant consider 90's classic yet. I mean I remember it like it was yesterday still. It's too current. That said in ten years I'm going to feel totally differnt about my 240 and go "man this thng's a relic" whenever I get into it haha.

And damn I could prolly bs a classic tag for my 240 then... lolz so long as they don't look at the suspension or brakes.

[WhiTTe Z]

i kind of consider my Z32 a classic... That may have something to do with me being 3 years old when it was made in 93.

Feels kinda like a time machine now but definitely will even more in like 5-10 years

[WhiTTe Z]

does anyone else think the z32 is a "classic"?