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