CONFUSED ABOUT TERMS

[Guest SaddleRider]

Hope I didn't double-post my question. I 'm new to old car hobby  &  trying to learn (tried to post my question before  but no luck). ? ? ? ? 

 

Neighbor passed away .  Wife will let his 70's era Chevy one ton "dualie" go for what is in my budget ($2,500).    Passed inspection, tires "getting there". Runs good.

 

So here's my question - will I be able to bring this to old car meets so long as I don't ask it to be prize-judged?    What are the rules about "antique classic designations anyway ?

[bobg1951chevy]

I did see your earlier post.

Then it was gone.

Go through info provided in this link, to get an idea of AACA.

Look at section 4, pages 4-9 and 4-10.

You and I are learning together, I'm learning AACA, as I go.

http://www.aaca.org/images/meet_brochures/AACA_2016_Judging_Guidelines.pdf

Edited December 23, 2016 by bobg1951chevy
change page number (see edit history)

[Frantz]

Congrats on the commercially truck! The hobby is great, I hope you find it to be such. On top of joining the National AACA there are many regions that handle the local events. Generally these aren't point judged, and it's just about showing up and enjoying each others company and vehicles. So having a perfect example doesn't matter at all! I'm planning on driving a nice "patina" car next year (aka rusty). Nothing I currently own is "show worthy" but I have a good time. As for antique and classic vehicle laws that varies by state. Where are you from? Here in Pennsylvania a truck that is registered antique or classic can not haul any cargo in the bed. Silly, but it's an important rule to know if you are here, and other states likely have similar and sillier rules.

[West Peterson]

SaddleRider

Welcome to the AACA Forum. Your earlier post did appear, and I accidentally deleted it. I apologize for that, it was completely deleted by mistake. I pushed the wrong button, and have been trying to figure out how to undue for the past several hours.

Any vehicle that is 25 years old is eligible to be shown at AACA national events. Local Region shows usually have a more relaxed show and let non-AACA eligible vehicles into their shows. AACA national events require that the vehicle be authentic as it was available from the factory/dealer, however, we do have a Driver Participation Class that accepts a few modifications. You also have to be a member of AACA, which is only $35 per year, and includes a bi-monthly 100-page magazine (see example here: http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=317609&p=&pn=

[John_S_in_Penna]

An "antique" vehicle is typically anything that

is 25 years old, or older.  But all vehicles are a

part of history and we appreciate anyone who

wants to preserve them!

 

Some vehicles (such as convertibles, exotic cars,

or other low-production specialty cars such as

Camaros and Corvettes) may have a lot of interest 

in them before they reach 25 years old.  Some

vehicles that are 50 years old see only modest interest.

But it doesn't matter how popular any vehicle is.

If you like it and want to preserve it, that's all that counts.

Myself, I like to see and own the less "popular" vehicles,

because they are more affordable and they are 

less often seen even at big car shows.

 

Where are you located, Saddle Rider?

Maybe we can direct you to a good car show,

or to an AACA "Region" (local group) where you can

meet fellow car fans.

[Guest SaddleRider]

thanx jon .  looks like we aren't close neighbors.  I am in the Barstow-Daggest, California    ( where I-40 ends ).   You mean some fifty year old trucks are NOT  classic antiques ?  Still confused. Hoping you & others can discuss in more detail?  thnx

[CarlLaFong]

"Classic antique" seems to be a new term that you've coined. The AACA has its rules. Any car or truck 25 years or older is allowed. The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) has a much more restrictive set of rules and no Chevrolet will ever be a Full Classic. There is no club or category, that I'm aware of, for an "antique classic" or "classic antique".

[John_S_in_Penna]

The designation of "antique" tends to be defined 

by states (for licensing as an antique) and by clubs such as

the AACA (for eligibility at shows).  It's pretty much regarded

as 25 years old, which means 1992 and earlier in the year 2017.

 

There really is no formal designation of "antique"--

it's just usage.  So a 50-year-old car or truck is certainly antique.

So is a 1990 Mercury Cougar, even though you might not 

think of it that way!   I was just explaining that

things are less or more collectible regardless of their year.

Some things are popular (or less so) regardless of when

they were made.

 

Vehicles eligible for AACA have to be at least 25 years old.

Some clubs limit their vehicles to other specific categories.

For example, the Buick Club of America is open only to 

Buick cars, though you don't have to own a Buick to belong.

The Horseless Carriage Club of America is for pre-1916 cars.

The Classic Car Club of America is for specific cars that they

call "Classics" (with a capital C), also called "Full Classics,"

which are limited-production cars, expensive when new, that

they specifically list--and they tend to be in the 1930's and before.

So if you see "Classic" with a capital C, it's referring to cars on

that list.

 

The term "classic" (with a small c) isn't really defined at all.

It basically means a collectible car regardless of year.

Some states have special "classic" registration, and in

Pennsylvania it means cars 15 years old or older that are

being kept and driven as collectibles.  As Pennsylvania's

licensing uses the term, it's a collectible car waiting to become

an antique.

 

Don't worry much about terms and classifications.

It's about enjoyment of ANY vehicle.

Edited December 22, 2016 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[West Peterson]

It all depends on who is classifying. If you're looking for a club classification, the Antique Automobile Club states that anything 25 years old or older. The Classic Car Club of America defines cars eligible in their club as Classic (capital "C"), and are the very top 1 percent of cars built between 1915-1948. Luxury cars. Individual U.S. states also define cars, either antique or classic, or whatever, when registering a car for special limited-use license plates. Some let you get special plates if the vehicle is 15 years old, some 20, some 25. Other than that, you can call your vehicle anything you like, but it is definitely, by most people's definition, an "antique" (some would state that only a car built before 1915 should be considered an antique).

[Bud Tierney]

Ahhhh, careful---you're prying open Pandora's Box here...

One thing you'll find very early on in this hobby/compulsion/obsession is that "terms" are bandied about with almost complete abandon by all except the most dedicated......

While it's my understanding the CCCA (Classic Car Club of America??) sets the industry definition/register of what is a "true" Classic Car, that's often confused (especially by sellers) referring to "classic" 50s/60s/70s cars, when they actually mean an outstanding or particularly appealing design, not something equaling a custom bodied Duesenberg.

AACA may well have set an "industry standard" definition of antique, classic, vintage, special interest etc (I'm embarrassed to admit I should've investigated before typing--typical example of mind in low and mouth in high) but you'll find these terms very---very---loosely applied in articles, advertising, etc as well as general conversation....

To a certain extent, it depends on the age of the speaker; I have to wince (mentally) when someone talks of their"classic" 50 or 60, or their "antique" 30 or 40...yet from their timeline, assuming they were born in the 60s/70s/80s, the terms fit...

Just nod and smile; don't let the endless enjoyment of the hobby be diminished by minor inconsistencies that have no day to day import

[RPrice]

The word "classic" is probably the most overused word associated with vintage cars.  To understand what "classic" means, you have to refer to the Classic Car Club of America to get some idea as to what it is.

As many of our members have so eloquently stated, antique refers to vehicle over 25 yeas old.

Rog

[Spinneyhill]

In New Zealand, the word "classis" seems to mean "an old car" in the public's mind. By "the public" I mean people who are not really into old cars. When people come into the game, they use this term sort of interchangeably with "vintage". "Antique" tends to be more often applied for furniture.

 

In NZ the largest car club is the Vintage Car Club of NZ. The Club has its own divisions: Veteran up to end of 1918, Vintage to end of 1930, Post Vintage to end of 1945, Post War, Post 60 and now Post 80. Cars 30 years old are eligible.

 

There is also a much reduced license fee for vehicles 40 years and older. We have no restrictions on when or where we can drive our road-legal vehicles.

[cheezestaak2000]

several ways to tag a car here in delaware. among them are street rod, antique, and collector car. they all place limits on how many miles that can be driven per year. i think one of the reasons they have so many types is because the dmv doesn't want to run out of numbers. other than vanity tags, all plates are 6 digits or less. you can also sell low numbered tags and some really low ones go for 6 figures. it's kind of a status symbol thing to have a 3 or 4 digit number.

[Guest SaddleRider]

2 hours ago, CarlLaFong said:

" no Chevrolet will ever be a Full Classic"

 

that dosnt sound very fair or reasonable to me

[West Peterson]

7 minutes ago, SaddleRider said:

 

that dosnt sound very fair or reasonable to me

He was only referring to cars accepted by the Classic Car Club of America. Any car can be a "classic" (lower case c).

[Restorer32]

Actually any car can be a Classic (upper case C) but every car cannot be a Full Classic per the CCCA

[West Peterson]

16 minutes ago, Restorer32 said:

Actually any car can be a Classic (upper case C) but every car cannot be a Full Classic per the CCCA

Full Classic ....

As if there were something less????

[Restorer32]

At best a '47 Cadillac is a Part Classic in my book.

[poci1957]

53 minutes ago, SaddleRider said:

 

that dosnt sound very fair or reasonable to me

 

OK, just one last shot at a brief explanation of that "classic" word that everyone loves so much.....

 

EVERYONE WANTS TO SAY CLASSIC ALL THE TIME, CLASSIC, CLASSIC, CLASSIC!!!

 

BUT in correct terminology the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) in the early 1950s defined "Classic" (note the capital "C") as exclusively limited production high-priced special cars built between 1925-48 (and later expanded slightly) to differentiate them from regular cars like Fords and Chevys. 

 

No low priced production car of any kind is accepted in this defined list as far as I know

(PLEASE don't anyone confuse our new visitor by bringing up Auburns or Brewster Fords) 

 

The casual local hobbyist rarely knows or cares about this definition. 

 

So at the local car show or bull session everyone will say classic truck, classic Mustang, classic Volkswagen, whatever.  I think my 1957 Pontiac is a classic design but would never use that term with, say, the owner of a 1930 Packard since I would deservedly be either quickly corrected or dismissed entirely.  To avoid miscommunication I almost always just refer to my "old cars", Todd C             

Edited December 22, 2016 by poci1957 (see edit history)

[CarlLaFong]

1 hour ago, SaddleRider said:

 

that dosnt sound very fair or reasonable to me

Oh, don't worry. You'll still get a participation trophy

[MCHinson]

Saddlerider,

 

Welcome to the AACA Discussion Forum from Wilmington, NC - at the other end of Interstate 40. 

 

The AACA defines an antique vehicle as a vehicle 25 years old or older. Other clubs might define it differently. When you use the term "Classic" you tend to get some people all upset. The term "classic" is basically a generic term that can mean about anything to different people. I like to say that I like "Old cars" (and that includes old trucks as well.) I would not get too hung up on the terminology right now. As you participate in the hobby those terms will become more clear to you.

 

I suggest you look around the Discussion Forum a bit and do some reading. If you purchase the truck it should fit into some class in AACA Judging. Which class depends on a few more facts about the truck that we don't know yet. Depending on those details, It might fit into class judging in the one of the Commercial Vehicle classes , it may quality for the Historic Preservation of Original Features Class, or it might fit into the Driver Participation Class. You may also find other local clubs that you should also consider getting involved in. Welcome to the old car hobby. Ask any questions you have and look forward to having a lot of fun. 

 

[bobg1951chevy]

A newbie asked if his truck would be welcome at AACA.

Me, being a newbie as well, had / have questions, as well.

Many of the replies added even more confusion........

Upper case "c", lower case "c", CCCA, Classic yes, Classic no, Full Classic, etc.

[CarlLaFong]

It is simple yet very convoluted. There are no legal definitions for antique, classic, veteran, special interest or any of the names or titles that we bestow on our cars. We are free to call them whatever pleases us. Call your car Loretta if you want. The states muddy the waters even more when they issue plates. Some say 20, some say 25. Who's right? They both are. The clubs are another thing entirely. They have their rules. As stated, this club says 25 years. When I was a kid, I was told an antique had to be 100 years old. Who's right? Again, both answers are correct. The CCCA has their definition of a Classic, yet Hemmings Motor News, one of the most respected names in the hobby, publishes Hemmings Classic Cars, which rarely features CCCA approved Classics but more pedestrian vehicles like Dodges and Studebakers. Bottom line is, you will never get the answer that you want. Whatever you call your car, someone will argue or take umbrage. Just call it an old car and 90% of the population will be fine with it.

[Curti]

Doesn't the CCCA  have a list of the cars that are deemed Classic?

[alsancle]

23 minutes ago, Curti said:

Doesn't the CCCA  have a list of the cars that are deemed Classic?

 

Yes it does Curt and at least 25% of the cars on the list shouldn't be there

 

See what a trouble maker I am?

 

We have this conversation at least once a year like clock work.  The fact that the CCCA has a list vs a marque drives some people insane.

[R W Burgess]

Here's the list!!

 

http://www.classiccarclub.org/grand_classics/approved_classics_2016.html

[R W Burgess]

Here is more information from our own web site......

 

 

[JACK M]

As much as I would like to, I doubt I have ever or will ever own any of the cars on that list.

And I have owned literally hundreds of old cars.

Mostly junkers that I got running and sold at a loss.

Lately, since I retired and my income is at least steady and predictable I have been toying around with some nicer stuff, This lets me lose even more money on them.

[alsancle]

Believe it or not there are a bunch of running/driving CCCA Classics you can buy for under 25k.   Two neat Franklins, one with a Dietrich body were available on here not too long ago for 12,500.