What is an Antique?

[Anonymous]

I agree it’s something we need to address, sooner, or later, as the "Classic" class grows and grows…

It has always tweaked me that post-war opposed twins (ie; PO, Speeditwin, Lightfour,…) are "classic" while pre-war alternates like the Mercury KB4 are "antique". Nearly identical models of both were sold pre and post war, but they represent different eras technology-wise.

I’d be interested in knowing what innovations (and particular motors) can be used to identify different eras….

[johnny-infl]

Jim – "some of my old outboards run and look better than me".

That’s funny right there !!! (and rings very true).

[Mumbles]

In the automotive world, these two cars are now referred to as classics….

while these ones will always be antiques, no matter what their vintage.

[westwind]

There is always some overlap issues with these categories. Not everything fits into a nice slot.

[james-davis]

I think it depends on your age. 50’s don’t seem old to me because I used them for so long, get back to no carbs and battery, that’s antique to me

[b-dittmar]

It has to change! I think that it need’s to be the age of the motor and not the year.
Thru my YouTube channel I get told at least 100+ times a year that the (AOMCI is not for me because my motor is not a antique)
You have to remember that people in there 30s ran motors from the 80s growing up.

[20mercman]

quote B-Dittmar:

It has to change! I think that it need’s to be the age of the motor and not the year.
Thru my YouTube channel I get told at least 100+ times a year that the (AOMCI is not for me because my motor is not a antique)
You have to remember that people in there 30s ran motors from the 80s growing up.

Ben, I am totally in agreement with you. This does not make sense any more to keep a firm date. As the engineering advancements in motors has progressed, it is only logical that the club represent each generation or milestone in the industry. In another 30 years, we will still have motors that are 97 years old and not considered "Antique" unless we make changes. Your contacts with the general public should be a wake up call to the club that we may be missing out on membership by what is in reality a slight of perception. This is also why we need to add to the number classes, as we are not experiencing the "Classic" group of motors is growing each year, but the "Antique" class can never get bigger. Certainly the vast majority of the members I talk with and the discussions on the forums deal with "Classic" motors. No slight to the antique fans, just that is reality.

Steve

[johnny-infl]

I am nowhere near a numbers guy about clubs and membership . . . .
but, I was a lurker here for a long time. When talking with Pappy (From the Keys)
one day about my heartfelt passion for the pre-1960 Johnsons, and me having zero
mechanical skills, he said I should think about joining AOMCI. I told him I thought
that club was just for "antiques", like the name implies…. after a half hour of investigation, I joined up right away.
Then joined the Florida Chapter soon after.
so, I agree with Steve about maybe missing out on new members with the confusing data of what’s what.
Then, after the board makes the official definitions, make a spot on the Home Page to maybe attract new members.

jus my Dos Centavos take on that

[billy-j]

I was born in 1955. I would rather be termed a classic than a antique.

[Tubs]

The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) and the Antique Automobile
Club of America (AACA) maintain a list of eligible unmodified
cars that are called "classic". These are described as "fine" or "distinctive"
automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1915–1925
and 1942–1948. Here are some examples of what the CCCA and the AACA
consider classic cars.

Mustangs, Camaros, 57 Chevy’s, Starfires, Roadrunners, Barracudas, and
the like are considered "Historic" or "Milestone" cars by the CCCA and the AACA.

That is if you choose to accept their definitions.
Many don’t.

Same as with the AOMCI definitions. I find the whole thing pointless.
You never get to where everyone agrees and some people will be offended.

Most every car or outboard motor has a manufacture, a model, and a date when
it was produced that cant be disputed.

I’ve decided that a 1943 Overlinker is a 1943 Overlinker. Nothing more.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[Author]

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