According to the classic car capital of the world, amelia island, florida –
most antique cars can be dated to within a period of five years and because most old cars were mass produced they may even age way differently than other collectables and also cost about 5x as much as an antique furniture.
some older collectors prefer what we call “as found” or unrestored cars. as these vehicles have not been subjected to any type of restoration process like polishing, painting, washing or detailing it's easier to date them using such markings as “factory floor stampings” (seen under the wiring harness). paint analysis has become increasingly popular; scratches on paint surfaces can reveal what month and year a particular vehicle was manufactured due
is a 20 year old car an antique?
certainly not! a 20 year old car is not an antique. first of all, the definition of “antiques” is usually referring to things that are at least 100 years old – so a 20 year old car cannot be one of them. however, there are many true examples of automobiles aged for upwards of 50 or even 60 years that have been fully restored and are prized by collectors around the world. such cars can be regarded as antiques due to their age alone, but i would argue that the term “antique” carries with it connotations about appreciating items for their collector's value which goes far beyond just being something very old. for this reason, i am loathe to refer to any classic car less than
is a 30 year old car a classic?
in the world of automobile collectors, a 30 year old car is not considered a classic – it does not possess any antique qualities.
in order to be classified as a classic by the automotive industry, an automobile must have been built at least 25 years ago and should have some kind of standout characteristic that made it unique in its day. classic automobiles are often restored to their original condition once enough interest has been generated from other collectors and museums. the ‘perfect' age difference among cars is typically 50 years, while older classics go for higher prices because they can be viewed as investments rather than reduced price vehicles or used cars.
how old before a car becomes vintage?
it is difficult to determine exactly when a car becomes vintage. vintage cars are typically more than 23 years old, but this is an arbitrary standard and can be quite different on the personal preference of the viewer.
for collectors, however, there are certain elements that contribute greatly to whether or not they consider a vehicle “vintage.” certain cars deserve this designation because they've featured some sort of noteworthy feature in automotive history – like being the first car manufactured with disc brakes. some of these important models of antique automobiles will command top dollar at auction or sale because of their rarity or just their immaculate condition after decades of use by various owners. cars with rust spots or dents may not appear as desirable to buyers who don't care
are vehicles over 25 years old tax exempt?
in some countries, vehicles over a certain age are exempt from taxes.
vehicles over 25 years old are generally tax exempt in the united states.
in some countries, vehicles over a certain age are granted from taxes. for example, vehicles over 25-years-old may be exempt from taxes in the us depending on which state is being discussed or whether they have an historic vehicle tag that recognizes it as a classic vehicle and qualifies for exemptions..
