| The term Antique Classics is used in reference to old | | | | considered a Classic. |
| cars. According to Antique Automobile Club of | | | | Some exemplary pre-war Antique Classics are: |
| America, an antique car is generally defined as a car | | | | 1. 1934-1940 Bugatti Type 57. The Type 57SC has |
| over 25 years of age. However, the exact legal | | | | become the singular classic car. |
| definition for the purpose of antique vehicle registration | | | | 2. 1934 Citroën Traction Avant. Has the distinction |
| varies widely from State to State. | | | | of being the first mass-produced front-wheel drive car, |
| With about 12 years being the normal design life of | | | | 3. 1936 MG T series, a sports car meant especially for |
| modern cars, 25 years is about double and therefore a | | | | American soldiers fighting in the war. |
| car that's reached 25 is a rare survivor, and probably | | | | 4. 1938 Volkswagen Beetle, the most-famous |
| not economic to maintain as regular transportation. | | | | automobile of all times. It was a pre-war design that |
| The term Classic Car is often used synonymously with | | | | continues to exist even in the present times. |
| the term Antique car, but the formal definition of that | | | | The CCCA Club keeps a thorough list of the vehicles |
| term is restricted to specific high-quality vehicles from | | | | they consider Classics, and while any member may |
| the pre-World War II era which began with the Great | | | | petition for a vehicle to join the list, such applications |
| Depression in 1930 and ended with the recovery after | | | | are carefully scrutinized and very rarely is a new |
| World War II in 1948. The Classic Car Club of America | | | | vehicle type admitted. They also acknowledge the fact |
| (CCCA) defines the term Classic as a "fine" or | | | | that their rather exclusive definition of a classic car is |
| "distinctive" automobile, either American or foreign built, | | | | by no means universally followed and hence they |
| produced between 1925 and 1948. A Classic was | | | | generally use terms such as "CCCA Classic" or the |
| high-priced when it was introduced and was built in | | | | trademarked "Full Classic" to avoid confusion. |
| very limited quantities. Although, by 1930's most of the | | | | After 1930 the number of auto manufacturers came |
| manufacturing technologies had already been invented, | | | | down sharply, as the industry consolidated, and |
| certain factors like including engine displacement, | | | | developed after the war more advances in engine |
| custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as | | | | design were made, like the compression V8 engines |
| power brakes, power clutch, and automatic lubrication | | | | and modern bodies from General Motors, Oldsmobile |
| systems, help determine whether a car can be | | | | and Cadillac brands. |