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Archive for June 16th, 2009

Classic Cars – Unique Feeling Despite Various Definitions

Classic car is a term repeatedly used whenever one mentions about an older car but the exact implication varies from person to person. Some tend to be very inclusive classifying any older car in excellent condition as a classic. Others including the “Concours d’Elegance” and the Classic Car Club of America are adamant that 1948 is the final year for genuine classics. The Classic Car Club of America CCCA claims that it has coined the term Classic car and as is the case it believes that the actual definition of the term is what they have given. According to the CCCA a classic car is a fine or distinctive vehicle either American or foreign made manufactured between 1925 and 1948.

Generally a Classic is costly when fresh and was produced in limited numbers. Other factors which help to assess whether a vehicle is a Classic or not includes engine displacement custom coachwork and luxury accessories such as power brakes power clutch and “oneshot” or automatic lubrication systems. The Club possesses an exhaustive list of the vehicles it classifies as a Classic and even though any member may move a petition for a vehicles to be added in the list such petitions are scrutinized with care and rarely is a new vehicle type accommodated.

Even though this definition of a classic car is acknowledged by the CCCA it is not universally admitted. While it still insists that the true definition of ‘classic car’ is its it commonly utilizes terms such as CCCA Classic or the trademarked Full Classic to keep away confusion. Legally most states provide timebased rules for the definition of “classic” for occasions such as antique vehicle registration; for example Pennsylvania defines that a Classic is a “A motor vehicle but not a reproduction thereof constructed at least 15 years before the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is to the extreme complying with manufacturer specifications and appearance.” Like the definitions already given other institutions have given selfcompiled definitions for Classic cars.

A division of classic cars is known as the Modern Classics. The vehicles listed under this category are generally older anywhere from 1525 years but are not admitted as classics by The Antique Automobile Club of America. Such cars are rather perceived as classics by auto enthusiasts and are generally rare and out of construction. There was a modification in styling trends worldwide just after the end of World War II. Many cars at that time modified the traditional discrete replaceablefender treatment. After the war automobiles of all kinds transformed to envelope bodies in basic plan.

The CCCA term “Classic Car” has been limited to “the functionally traditional designs of the earlier period” mostly prewar. They usually had removable fenders trunk headlights and a usual vertical grill treatment. In a large vehicle coupled with traditional lines might match the CCCA term. Thus it may be a car which belongs to a later time but not belonging to the “Classic period of Design” in the words of the traditionalist CCCA faction. In any case Classic cars are extremely popular around the world and whatever definition you give to them they will continue to be loved and respected.

About the writer:  As one of the world’s most exciting and prestigious brand MercedesBenz Hong Kong offers luxury passenger cars and commercial vehicles extensive choice of Vito Sprinter Viano Actros Axor and Atego to the customers in Hong Kong and Macau.