What constitutes a classic?

[Morrisand944S2man]

The comments above are spot on!

This sort of definition and attitude to what is a classic for instance:-

Admin:-
"There's a simple answer to the what constitutes a classic in my eyes: Whatever i own is a classic, whatever you own isn't (unless it's what i own too). That seems to be the way it works in my experience "

This kind of flawed subjectivity devalues the whole notion of "classic cars" both in the eyes and minds of enthusiasts and the general public, and ultimately in the minds of politicians. Hence paving the way for the EU to bring out more and more damaging directives. All the FBHVC can do is mount a fighting retreat against the tide of damaging legislation.

[Rhythm Thief]

[quote="Rhythm Thief] There's nowt wrong with having a good sound system in your car, though. My Ami (45 years old) has a 600 watt amp mated to a MASSIVE bass box and a pair of smaller speakers. The sound is great and the wingmirrors vibrate with the bass at full welly. Later this year I'll be 40.

I always find it funny when the local "entertainers" drive past in their cars with HUGE stereos up so loud every pannel on the car is rattling. there is a golf GTI around the corner that sounds like it's going to shake apart when it's owner goes past with his "choonz" playing
In my RR i have replaced all the factory speakers as they were knackered and fitted a different speaker in the factory sub box and a 240watt amp. It gives a nice balanced sound, no need to wake up the neighbours to enjoy good music.[/quote][/quote]

Have you ever been in an A series Citroen? This is the first one I've had in which I can hear the music over the engine noise ... I do tend to turn it down around town though.

[Rhythm Thief]

The comments above are spot on!

This sort of definition and attitude to what is a classic for instance:-

Admin:-
"There's a simple answer to the what constitutes a classic in my eyes: Whatever i own is a classic, whatever you own isn't (unless it's what i own too). That seems to be the way it works in my experience "

This kind of flawed subjectivity devalues the whole notion of "classic cars" both in the eyes and minds of enthusiasts and the general public, and ultimately in the minds of politicians. Hence paving the way for the EU to bring out more and more damaging directives. All the FBHVC can do is mount a fighting retreat against the tide of damaging legislation.

Did you miss the bit I've put in bold? I suspect Admin was mildly ribbing people who say, f'rinstance "Porsche 944s and Morris Minors are classic cars, and, oh look, I just happen to own an example of each". That's all, nothing to be alarmed about.

[TriumphDriver]

By the way, have you heard the sound system? You will.

There's nowt wrong with having a good sound system in your car, though. My Ami (45 years old) has a 600 watt amp mated to a MASSIVE bass box and a pair of smaller speakers. The sound is great and the wingmirrors vibrate with the bass at full welly. Later this year I'll be 40.

Thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa..
SORRY DID YOU SAY SOMETHING?
I SAID: "GOOD SHOW THIS"
SORRY, COULDN'T HEAR YOU
Thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa...
DON'T THINK I'LL COME BACK NEXT YEAR.

[Morrisand944S2man]

The comments above are spot on!

This sort of definition and attitude to what is a classic for instance:-

Admin:-
"There's a simple answer to the what constitutes a classic in my eyes: Whatever i own is a classic, whatever you own isn't (unless it's what i own too). That seems to be the way it works in my experience "

This kind of flawed subjectivity devalues the whole notion of "classic cars" both in the eyes and minds of enthusiasts and the general public, and ultimately in the minds of politicians. Hence paving the way for the EU to bring out more and more damaging directives. All the FBHVC can do is mount a fighting retreat against the tide of damaging legislation.

Did you miss the bit I've put in bold? I suspect Admin was mildly ribbing people who say, f'rinstance "Porsche 944s and Morris Minors are classic cars, and, oh look, I just happen to own an example of each". That's all, nothing to be alarmed about.

Well, if admin is ribbing, then that did not come across in his/her post. Maybe he/she cannot argue properly with my point so they resort to "ribbing". Yes, fantastic, if you can't argue the point, just poke fun. Brilliant.

And if you read my definition of a "classic car" you will understand what I am talking about. And it is not just me that has come up with this definition, I first saw the definition in a book on classic cars called "Classic Cars from around the World" by Michael Bowler. And I realised his point crystallised what I have felt on the subject for years. Oh, and buy the way, both the Porsche 944 and Morris Minor appear in this book- and with justification!

Old does not = classic. Old + Great does = classic.

A classic car has also to be a great car in it's time to be a great car when it is old.

We need to qualify what is and is not a classic in order to preserve the worthy cars and not let the movement be devalued and lost.

[Mrotwoman]

Thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa..

Thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa thumpa...

I've got that,but I prefer the dubstep mix.

[Mrotwoman]

Oh Mr Morrisand944S2man,I doth apologise for I have seen the error of my ways and am sending my lowly,humble,unworthy and horribly beige Maestro to the crusher.
For it matters not that it hath survived 27 years in as new condition,manages to obtain 50+ mpg on a recent economy run,can happily be pressed into service as a daily hack for my other half when the daily driver is broken,brings back many a memory for folk at shows etc etc ,it is dull and unremarkable and therefore must die.

I shall replace it with a front-engined Porker and together we can live in our compound and preach to the great unwashed,and bask in the praise of Allah! the almighty one.

Death to all infidels who dare drive Allegros!

[Seth]

I've got that,but I prefer the dubstep mix.

Old does not = classic. Old + Great does = classic.
A classic car has also to be a great car in it's time to be a great car when it is old.

I'm still trying to work out if thousands of MGB owners are barking up the wrong tree.

[mr rusty]

Classic-ness is most definately in the eye of the beholder- show a Minor to the average Focus driver or Mrs Rusty who has no interest at all in old draughty and rattly cars and they would say yes that's a classic car, no argument, show them a 944 and I suspect they would say that's most definately not a classic car, irrespective of wether or not it's in Michael Bowler's book.

Average Joe in the street probably doesn't see minis as classics either, simply because they were around for so long and to the uninterested an early one doesn't look that different to a late one. Show them some huge behometh of a chrome laden yank tank howver and that would meet the public classic test.

My Vitesse for instance, definately a classic car but at the same time it was an outmoded and backward piece of engineering even when new and not particularly good road manners to boot! Still a classic car in the public eye though. I saw an SD1 today, now to my mind that's a classic, but I can remember when you couldn't give one away, and it wasn't that long ago- I don't think the man on the Clapham omnibus would consider it a classic either.

We could argue for all eternity on this issue and never come up with an answer, but the folks who wander into an old car show for something to do on a bank holiday know exactly what a classic car is!

[Rhythm Thief]

Morrisman, I think you're right that "old" does not automatically equal "classic", but your definition of greatness is, as far as I can tell, limited. From your comments elsewhere I gather you're not a fan of Eastern European stuff - which is fair enough - and I appreciate that in purely mechanical terms, they'll never be great cars in the same way an Aston Martin or a Citroen DS are. Yet Trabants (say) deserve some credit in the greatness box for being a genuine attempt to provide cheap motoring to millions of people for whom it had previously been out of reach. In this sense they're a part of history and worthy of preservation because of it.
As well as this, greatness is subjective. As I said somewhere earlier, my ex had a Minor for a while - a 1966 four door - and I thought it was awful. It'd been restored by a reputable specialist and came with a pretty hefty price tag, but it didn't feel like a great car to me. I'd never argue that it wasn't a "classic" because I don't think it's a great car though: I recognise that Moggies are just not my thing and leave other folk to enjoy theirs. Personally, I'd sooner go to a show with a load of Trabants dropping oil and cardboard body panels all obver the grass than see a whole field full of shiny Minors, but there we go. Who's to say whether it's you or me that's right?