What Makes a Car a Classic?
There is no universally accepted standard as to what makes a car a classic. As of 2014, many states’ vehicle registries consider an antique car one that was built after 1922 and is at least 20 years old. The Classic Car Club of America has a strict list of acceptable cars that were produced between 1925 and 1948.
As of 2014, the CCCA considers classic cars to be those between a 1925 and 1948 model year that were originally high-value cars with limited production. It requires that cars have high-quality workmanship and advanced technology for the year of manufacture. The CCCA website provides a list of American and foreign cars that it accepts as classics. The Antique Automobile Club of America has much-looser guidelines and allows any car over 25 years old to be shown in meets.
Classic car insurance is offered by some insurance companies, including Hagerty and Safeco. This sort of insurance requires that the car be garaged and does not cover a car used routinely or for commuting, but insures the car at special events and for occasional pleasure drives. Each insurance company has its own policy as to what cars qualify for classic car insurance. Different states have different policies for what qualifies as a classic or antique car. Car owners may contact their local registry of motor vehicles to learn which cars are eligible.
