2011 witnessed seventeen vehicles coming to the end of their respective assembly lines. From the relatively unheard-of Nissan Altima Hybrid to the farmer fancies like Ford Ranger and even the running favourites such as the popular Mitsubishi Eclipse have been taken off production.<\/p>\n
Industry experts are speculating that each one of these seventeen cars can be expected to be called a classic car in a few decades.<\/p>\n
However, the exact contours of what constitutes a classic car are slightly garbled.<\/p>\n
Dan Wilkin, owner of Dan\u2019s Old Cars, Miltona, says: \u201cIf someone wants one because they had one as a kid, that\u2019s what makes it a classic. If it was their grandpa\u2019s car and they loved it, that\u2019s all it takes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Typically, any car that has seen 20-30 years of service can be classified a \u2018Collectible\u2019, but some connoisseurs tend to opt for more selective breeding.<\/p>\n
Scott Ellingson, who\u2019s the owner of Ellingson Car Museum, says, \u201cI don\u2019t feel a \u201991 Ford Taurus is a true collector. Thirty years is generally what I\u2019ve always worked on, and even then, what 1981 cars are classics now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Most collectors tend to place the \u2018certified classic\u2019 lapel on vintage models with chrome grilles, big fins and other finesses of the yesteryear era. The cars from the last 30 years don\u2019t have that, sadly.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of the newer cars are considered throwaway cars. But 30 years go, people considered the 1950s cars were throwaway cars,\u201d Wilkin continued.<\/p>\n
Cavan Lasch, who used to run shows like the West St Paul\u2019s Downtown Beat Classics, says: \u201cClassic car gatherings usually have a benchmark beyond three decades, mostly mid-century models. Most hot-rodders believe in 1975 on down (in years).\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have a car that\u2019s 1975 and older, you can go to all shows except for \u2018Back to the \u201850s\u2019 which is 1964 and older. But you\u2019re going to get different opinions, absolutely,\u201d Lasch said.<\/p>\n
Surmising the standards of classic cars can be very subjective, since people tend to have a different opinion of what a classic car should be.<\/p>\n
Models that are being declared redundant, such as the Eclipse, may be coveted by the next generation. For instance, the Ford Crown Victoria already has such a unanimous appeal that it is assured to be declared a classic car in a few years.<\/p>\n
However, one of the prime assets of a classic car has to be its rarity, so popular cars that have been phased out this year, such as the Ford Ranger and Dodge Dakota, will have to wait for another 50 years or so to gain the necessary tag.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey made too many of them. Rarity does mean value,\u201d Lasch says.<\/p>\n
Certain cars with unique engines or parts also have a shot at becoming collectibles in the coming decade. The Mazda RX-8, which is still commonplace, does have the calibre to become a classic car, courtesy the Wankel (rotary engine). The Mazda is the only car around with a rotary engine, which ups it chances considerably.<\/p>\n
In terms of classic car insurance, the insurers can look forward to a lot of business in the next decade, with more and more vehicles joining the classic car bandwagon.<\/p>\n
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2011 witnessed seventeen vehicles coming to the end of their respective assembly lines. From the relatively unheard-of Nissan Altima Hybrid to the farmer fancies like Ford Ranger and even the running favourites such as the popular Mitsubishi Eclipse have been taken off production. Industry experts are speculating that each one of these seventeen cars can be expected to be called … Continue reading