Overhaulin'

what makes a car a classic?

So what parameters make a car a classic? Age? Appeal? Value? Also, would the car have to be completely factory stock or do modifications affect anything. I currently have a 1988 Nissan 300 ZX.

Public Comments

1. A "classic" car means it is a work of art rather than a mere "car." It means it is specific to its age and time... revered in its age and time. For example: 60's= mustang fastback, corvette sting ray 70's= Camaro, Barracuda, Carmen Ghia 80's= Delorean, Z06 corvette 90's=Nissan Skyline, Lamborghini Diablo, Toyota Supra, Dodge Viper, RX7 00's= Monte Carlo, redesigned mustang, Honda civic, Scion Xb They are easily recognizable and bring people back decades when seen.
2. In the strictest sense, a Classic is an expensive American car from the '30s to apparently 1985, according to Wikipedia. Your car would be considered a sports car, a collector car and an antique. Other cars of special interest are Milestones, cars that have such spectacular technical or styling advancements that they stand out from others of their time.
3. A true Classic is actually defined as any specially-built, low volume production American car manufactured prior to World War II, with the recent exception of the 1948 Chrysler Town & Country, such as a 1930s Duesenburg SJ. Any older car is sometimes referred to as a classic, like a classic Camaro or a classic Rambler. This just means a popular collector car that is at least 25 years old. Usually, styling and popularity play a role in this title of 'classic.' Your Nissan is an '88, so it will be collectable and considered an antique in 2013. Will it be a classic? Too early to tell. The original 240Z is considered a classic in that sense. Not doing modifications can help keep the value high. Keep the miles low on the odometer and that will keep the value up as well.