Definition Of 'classic'

March 28, 2006

Hiya - just wondering on what terms you would call something a Classic?

I know for insurance policies it's generally over 10 years old and collectable, but would you class my '88 AW11 as a 'Toyota Classic'?

Just pondering...

Cheers :thumbsup:

March 28, 2006

What makes a classic car?
Some combination of style, innovation, pedigree, racing heritage, cultural zeitgeist, desirability and practicality. That list is neither exclusive nor indeed exhaustive. Each of the cars in the Yahoo! Cars Top Ten has at least some elements from the list but not necessarily all of them. Top Ten’s are subjective, personal things with few hard and fast rules. There may be some common ground, but the world of classic cars is full of the sound of clashing opinions, as well as the sound of old engines. You’d better get used to that noise.

Yahoo Classic Cars

Mk1, Classic .. no not yet ..

March 28, 2006

Thanks for the copy and paste Bibbs - but you've misunderstood my post.

I'm aware that in the grand scheme of things, my car is not considered a 'Classic'. I'm asking if it's classed as a 'Toyota Classic' in that if the peeps who post in here wouldn't feel I was misdirected in posting in this particular forum. Would they consider it appropriate.

Apologies if I was unclear.

March 28, 2006

I only C&P'ed that as it says, you'll get differing opinions ..

For me it's not quite .. it's still too popular, give it 5/10 years for a majority to be scrapped due to rust, and then the mint remains will be.

March 28, 2006

I would say, any car that is older enough to have gone through the "looking dated" to "looking oldschool" is probably a classic... if a car has done this, and have gone past the point where they are still rock bottom prices, and the "nicer" ones are going up in value again I would say it is then a classic...

To use toyota as an example... I would say the Mkii Mr2 and Mkiv supra have slipped into the "beginning to look dated" bracket, prices are absulutely plummeting, and a lot of them are falling into "dubious" hands (the fast and furious mob) whose resultant image is devaluing them even more. Most of these cars will be neglected and scrapped evenutually as they are worth more as parts, have been crashed etc... then the "nice" ones left over will start creaping up in value and be considered a "classic". (say in 5-10 years)

I would say that stage is what our cars are currently going through... I anything the Mk1 Mr2 is a little further ahead of my car, but I would say both have gone past "looking dated" and now are oldschool, this is good as oldschool can never really go out of fashion!! They are both cars that are still desirable (as opposed to lets say and old renault 5, that will always just be a crap car). They are both slowly creaping up in value too. The fact that a car has been forgotten, then people are beginning to want it more again (along with diminishing avaliability), pushing the price up to me says classic.

Some cars never really get into the rock bottom price stage, thys just sit there and hold there value pretty well, next thing it is creaping up and they are a classic. (for some reason the merc SL seems to do this, which is odd as apart from the oldest and newest ones, they are all pretty crap)

Nothing turns classic overnight.... its something that grows over time, for me the turning point is when the prices start to creap up.

As you know, our family like their classic cars!!!!

Edit: sorry bumbling inconcise post.... I think my brain is turning to mush

March 28, 2006

Thanks :thumbsup:

So in this instance, perhaps there really is a call for the Old School section? I mean it seems clear my AW11 doesn't technically fall into the 'Classic Toyota' territory yet I feel it's a little uncatered for in the MR2 forum. As perhaps you do with the MKIII? Just ideas...

I know there's always the MK1 MR2 club who are very helpful, but it would be nice to have something on TOC too :)

March 28, 2006

It seems the 70's is the cut off .. but with exceptions like the AE86.

As far as this site is concerned, just post in the MR2 bit, there are not many mk1 owners but there are a few of ya :)

Have you tried the mk1 owners club? I've not been on there, but I've a feeling it's a LOT more beardy and technical .. :D

March 28, 2006

Don't Worry Charis.. Steve thinks its a good idea :thumbsup:

Fingers crossed we should have our section soon ;)

Would be cool if it was in "general Discussions" too.. but I think that might be pushing it ;)

March 28, 2006

It seems the 70's is the cut off .. but with exceptions like the AE86.
As far as this site is concerned, just post in the MR2 bit, there are not many mk1 owners but there are a few of ya :)
Have you tried the mk1 owners club? I've not been on there, but I've a feeling it's a LOT more beardy and technical .. :D

Yep, they're very helpful but there's always the 'single make car club' aspect. If I want specialist knowledge, I would without a doubt head over to IMOC and ask the club (which I have done on numerous things). I just feel there's a bit of a void on TOC, whereas a section for the Old School might integrate things a little? I like TOC for it's diversity so would be nice if I can stay fully integrated with the club.

Even something like a TOC old school stand at JAE might give a little context? :)

Charlie - I know this is something you're quite passionate about so I won't tread on your toes and leave you to discuss with Steve. I do think it will be good for TOC :thumbsup:

March 28, 2006

hmmm, interesting subject...

'Classic' can mean a few different things.. and while any car over a certain age could be reffered to as a 'classic car', you certaintly wouldnt call it a 'classic' (like, say, the Austin Allegro).

When i think of 'Classic' Toyotas - i think of the Mk1 Celica Scott had...

when i think of the Mk1 MR2 - i do find myself in the same thoughts as charlie, that while it certainly is 'old school', I wouldn't quite call it a 'classic'..

But then, if you were picking the top ten classic cars of all time, would any Japanese car other than the 240Z actually feature?

March 28, 2006

2000GT would feature higher then the 240z in my list thats for sure ;)

As for top 10 of all time, I am not sure you could relate true classics to each other in a crude numerical list!!! If you could, I don;t think anything jap would be in the top 10 ;)

To me Old school cars are Classics, but just getting there.....

Another common misconception is that "classic" cars are the same as "vintage cars" :yes: