A Classic Car is hard to define. There are legal definitions of what constitutes a Classic. Where I'm from (Ireland), any car which is over 30 years old acquires classic status, and with it a lower taxation and insurance rating. In the UK any car built in 1973 or before that year qualifies as a classic and is exempt from road tax. Cars which were highly regarded when new and remained in demand until they went out of production are usually guaranteed classic status. Other classics are not so obvious, but I personally think if a car has a fan club of loyal enthusiasts then it can reasonably claim classic status. Of course this means some odd old cars such as the Austin Allegro and the AMC Pacer (which were not considered good cars when new) now for many are classics.
Some manufacturers have produced more classics over the years than others. Ferrari's tend to become instant classics while other cars acquire classic status not because they were outstanding cars in their time, but because they achieved fame through the cinema or famous owners. The VW Beetle is a good example, having been a central part of 1960's culture, not to mention the star of the Disney "Herbie" movies. The humble Mini was owned by such notables as Peter Sellers (who had a luxury Radford Mini), Princess Anne and even Enzo Ferrari. In addition, the Mini in Cooper form, was the rally car of the 1960's. It proved so unbeatable in the Monte Carlo rally that the organizers disqualified the winning car in 1965 because of a minor headlamp infraction (talk about sour grapes). Despite this setback it did win the famous rally in 1964, 1966 and 1967!
One of my personal favourite classics is the Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, mainly because I'm a Mercedes fan, it's a beautiful looking car, it's hugely powerful (with a 6.3 litre V-8), and most importantly it's over the 30 year old mark, which means I just might be able to afford one (if my wife will let me!). Not a car to everyone's taste of course, but if a big Merc V-8 saloon is good enough for Idi Amin, then it's good enough for me. (The former despotic ruler of Uganda had a fleet of Mercedes 600 Pullman limos, which unfortunately could not fit onto the cargo plane in which he fled the country. What a tragedy!).
Some of the models in my collection would definitely qualify as classics, but are in different categories. For example, the Lotus Europa is a 1960's classic, but I feel it belongs on the sports car page. Likewise, there are no American cars listed here as they have their own page on this site, which covers all American cars, both classic and modern.
The following listings are those models from my collection, which I feel fall into the "classic car" category. Please click on a cars name to find out more about it.
