| Some old cars are just old. Some are donated to | | | | isn't classic. World wide, auto thieves exhibit a definite |
| charity, if charity will take them. Others are given up | | | | preference for Japanese manufactured automobiles. |
| during community clean-ups and some make the | | | | In a 'Top Ten' list, auto thieves were found to favor |
| journey to the wrecking yard. But a few actually | | | | the Honda Civic, Toyota Century, Honda Accord, |
| increase in value. There are old cars bringing higher | | | | Accura Integra, the Toyota pickup, and the Nissan |
| prices than they did when new. | | | | Sentra. The other four cars on the list were |
| When you search the net or talk to experienced | | | | American. No European cars were listed. However, |
| collectors you will come across labels such as antique | | | | the content was probably influenced by the location |
| cars, vintage cars, classic cars, muscle cars, pony | | | | of the list maker and the home base of the thieves. |
| cars. And every one of these has been sought after | | | | But European makes, notably the 1954 Mercedes |
| by a collector. | | | | 300SL, the 1966 Porsche 911, the 1961 Jaguar XKE, |
| You will see ads in prestigious magazines such as | | | | and the Volvo 1800 E are on a top ten list of vintage |
| Forbes identifying the top ten classic cars and the | | | | cars. |
| top ten vintage cars. On Sunday afternoon, it is not | | | | The demand for vintage car advertisements also |
| uncommon to see a club out for a rally. And there is | | | | furnishes a clue as to what is and isn't popular. |
| a club for every car category. | | | | The Classic Car Club of America defines a Classic as: |
| But what constitutes an antique, a vintage or a | | | | "a fine or distinctive automobile, either American or |
| classic? Some definitions have been established but | | | | foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948." |
| there are also times when the definition is the | | | | Classics should be cars that were built in small |
| product of the definer. And often times the | | | | quantities and high priced when new. The club |
| definitions don't agree. | | | | maintains a list of classics. |
| For example, the Antique Automobile Club of | | | | The club also readily admits that their definition may |
| America defines an antique car as any car over 25 | | | | not be followed. A look at Forbes top ten will |
| years old. However, outside the club it is defined as | | | | corroborate that statement. |
| those cars manufactured from the start of | | | | And then the government enters the arena as most |
| development through 1916. | | | | states in the United States have laws for defining |
| Vintage cars are designated as those produced | | | | antiques, vintage, and classics for the purpose of |
| between 1916 and 1924. | | | | vehicle registration. |
| Classic cars are a confusing mix. There are almost as | | | | So what really appears to determine a classic is |
| many definitions as there are definers. Some | | | | popularity. If enough people fall in love with a |
| categorize a classic car as one produced from 1925 | | | | junkyard relic and desire to own and restore it, that |
| until today. For certain, to become a classic car, it has | | | | auto will become a classic. |
| to be appreciated and sought after by a significant | | | | However, there is one certainty. Whether antiques, |
| number of people. | | | | vintage, or classic, these cars will appreciate in value |
| Even auto thieves have their say as to what is and | | | | as years pass. |