Vintage or Antique?

[mini-motors]

The last thing I want to do is start an argument with a club that someday I’d like to join, but I would have thought that age was the determining factor, not manufacturing date. By these rules, a ’52 will be a classic, even 50 years from now. I see where this rule will keep out the "undesirables"(electronic ignition,etc), but I would think that someday, even an ’80 deserves the moniker, "antique". That’s assuming that gasoline will sill be legal 50 years from now.

But that does answer the original question, and either way, I’m happy. "Classic" does have a better ring to it over "vintage".

[20mercman]

quote Mini Motors:

The last thing I want to do is start an argument with a club that someday I’d like to join, but I would have thought that age was the determining factor, not manufacturing date. By these rules, a ’52 will be a classic, even 50 years from now. I see where this rule will keep out the “undesirables”(electronic ignition,etc), but I would think that someday, even an ’80 deserves the moniker, “antique”. That’s assuming that gasoline will sill be legal 50 years from now.

But that does answer the original question, and either way, I’m happy. “Classic” does have a better ring to it over “vintage”.

There is no argument here! This is a great discussion. I have been thinking that rules will need to be updated eventually. I don’t know how long the current by-law on model designation has been in effect, but if it was from the time the club was formed, the 1950 motors were only 16 years old. 😉 I agree that I like the term "classic" as a better moniker anyway. It would be hard to argue that a 64 year old collectable anything to not be considered as "antique" at some point. One thing to consider is that new and young members will have a whole new set of personal memories that represent their own version of "vintage". When I was 8 years old, my dad traded in our 1955 Mk-25 for a new 1975 Mercury 200. I still have fond memories of the Mk-25, but also grew up with the 1975. It is surely a "classic" in my own mind!

Steve

[chinewalker]

I am pretty sure the rules can be changed again as needed for future motor designations. It’s been done before. Heck, when the club started in the 1960s, a 30-year old motor was from the 1930s! They didn’t even have a Classic designation. Things evolve once enough people want it to, and can come to a consensus on what the next designation should/could be.

[gjonz]

The basis for an antique vs classic is based on engineering changes. IE; opposed firing, full shift, etc.

All of that largely came about in 1949-ish by the majority of manufacturers. Thus the 1950 cut off.

If this is correct, then the antique cut of date cannot be changed as the engineering aspect dictates it.

I may have been led astray, but this is what I’ve been told over time.

Greg

[joecb]

Just in the way of speculation.. if the club ever decided to put a "year cap" on the Classic category what might be a logical criterion for a cut -off year? Some possibilities … intro of electronic ignition ( what year ?), off- shoring major brand production ( what year? ) , demise of the venerable OMC brand ( what year?) … just thought starters. Any other ideas?

Joe B

[49hiawatha]

Very interesting discussion now that I know I have all "antiques!"

Those of you who have have had or have car interests must know for registration/plate purposes depending on the place you live vary. If you are familiar with the Antique Automobile Club of America and their class/age structure it varies as well as smaller automobile "brands."
Sooo…an incomplete rendition for discussion…

Historic – Earliest to about 1915 Brass Era
Antique (Post Brass to WWII)
Classic (special designated badge cars- Pierce-Arrow, Dussenburg , etc,mostly pre-WWII)
Collector Cars- 30-35 years old from date of Registration
Hot Rod Cars (Major modified meeting street inspection regulations)
Special Interest (Grab bag collection w/unique designations)

To register and run these vehicles only on a "limited mileage basis."

[steveh]

My son is fond of pointing out the 1973 Johnson 5.5 he prefers to use is more ‘antique’ to him ( as it was made 22 years before he was born), than the TN-26 I prefer to use is to me (made 15 years before I was born)…

[mini-motors]

Good point, Steve. There are certainly times where I feel like an antique, and I’m only 58. I think I’ll stick with classifying my ’53 Elgin as classic, despite how I feel. Besides, a good friend is the same age as my motor, and I’m sure he wouldn’t like being compared to as antique.

[1946zephyr]

quote FrankR:

I thought (maybe wrongly) that the dividing line was 1949 and older for antiques because that was when alternate firing twins and “modern” conveniences like gear shifts started showing up. In any case, there has been much debate over the subject. Some people don’t like the 1970’s motors with Electronic ignition etc. being included. But hey, they are “old” by a whole generation’s thinking.

In Florida, a boat is an Antique if 30 years old. Free state registration, but the county tax collector gets a fee for the annual sticker.

Johnson actually came out with the alternate firing motors in 1930. The earliest I have seen, is the A-50

I think 1950 is a good reference point to go with.

[frankr]

Well, yeah my 1918 Rowboat Motor has a gear shift too.

EDIT: Before somebody corrects me, it is a Forward-Reverse shift. No gears.

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