What are Vintage Cars?

Vintage cars are commonly regarded as anything built after 1918, but the finish date is considered either 1925 or 1930 dependent on which side of the pond you are situated. Antique cars, on the other hand, are generally classified as anything over 25 years old, by which time they have surpassed twice their normal life expectancy. Classic autos are painstakingly renovated and exhibited all over the world and are a passion for many ardent enthusiasts. It is amazing where some of the vintage autos end up from their original country of origin; a 1925 American Flint model, for example, turned up for a rally recently in Australia. Old retro automobiles and classic vintage vehicles appear at all kinds of rallies around the world and prove a real success with glimpses of yesteryear-before traffic jams ‘were invented’ and a driver was the virtual king of the road.

Before industrialized countries developed major road networks, post the 1930’s, vintage cars had to negotiate all kinds of terrains. They were built of robust heavy metals with heavy springs to handle the uneven surfaces and many were exposed to the elements. They were often cumbersome to drive, were extremely noisy and considered a luxury rather than a means of dropping the kids off at school or getting into the office every morning. Before the benefits of body streamlining and wind resistance were established, the car was an open ticket for a designer to have full licence to create whatever they wanted, no like the models of today that tend to follow general aesthetic and economy inspired motoring. It is this individual interpretation that makes the vintage car groups their appeal and following today. Cars could easily be recognised from the stable they came from. If you take the 1926 Bentley speed six tourer, as an example, it’s classic large bonnet and grill is instantly identifiable. When you observe a model like this one, it is almost a work of art and it s not surprising that so many people are attracted by such examples.

Collectors groups and organizations tend to be aficionados of one car maker or another. This does not necessarily mean the y are located in the country they were first made. There are vintage car enthusiasts for British cars in India and America, and American car followers like-wise in other countries. What determines a person to focus on a specific car type is open to interpretation. Obviously price points come into the equation most diehards would prefer to be able to own their own piece of history, whilst others follow patriotic impulses or have been psychologically engendered to a certain make. Whatever the reasons, enthusiasts often become absolutely addicted to the hobby and come form all backgrounds and professions.   

Although the modern cars built today are much more comfortable and reliable, the vintage cars of yesterday have a good chance of outliving them-they were built to last!