What Legally Defines A Classic Car?
February 4th, 2009
There’s just something very awe inspiring about watching an old car in pristine condition tool down the road. It’s hard for most people not to stop and stare. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Model T or a 1980s Trans-Am in mint condition, heads will turn.
If you’re in love with cars or just in love with the idea of owning and driving a piece of history, chances are you are ready to do some homework on classic cars. When it comes to defining “classic,” however, the waters can get a little muddy.
Different classic car clubs have their own, often rigid, definitions of what makes a vehicle a true classic. The legal system also has its own opinion on the matter. This does differ from the opinions set forth by many car clubs.
While the law can vary from state to state, the typical legal definition for classic is 15 years in age. In some states, however, a car must retain many of its original manufacturer specifications to earn this title even with the lenient age requirement. This means that car owners must maintain their vehicles according to manufacturer specs or restore them accordingly.
If a car meets a state’s definition for legal, a special license tag will be issued to declare a car a classic. This, however, won’t give the owner automatic entry rights into classic car clubs. Each has its own set of rules that have to be followed.
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