Classic car status - who decides this?
 

I want to get a classic car - originally a TR6 which I know is a classic car, however I'm now pulled toward getting a mk1 or mk2 Fiesta XR2. Its a car I loved when I had it, and I would rather have some tie to the car, rather than one where I just think it looks cool (my TR6 thoughts LOL!).


How can you tell is a car is a 'classic'? And by that I mean a recognised one by insurance companies etc.

I think typically anything over 20 years is considered classic by an insurance co, as to general consensus as to what makes a 'classic' its really down to personal preference. I mean I would say a TR6 is a classic whereas an allegro or princess whilst being classic because of age have no real style and should have been scrapped at launch!

Gary

P.S. Ive got a TR6 for sale if you want one!

There are date definitions for veteran and vintage although I have forgotten what they are!

As above a Classic is in the eye of the beholder. To me a TR6 is a Classic but an XR2 isn't (sorry).

From an insurance point of view I think some will recognise a 10 year old car as a "Classic" and you can do a limited miles insurance.

I once had a 1948 5.4 litre straight 8 Daimler, a nightmare to drive and much more dangerous than anything modern. But insurance was £58 per year on 3000 mile limit :) Even a 4.2 litre Jag sports was only £220 on Classic insurance. dl

2 criteria
a) old (not beein in production for 10 years +)
b) had been something special or unusual when new.

So TR6 yes, xr2 no. The only hot hatches that are really classics are the Golf gti of course and the pug 205 gti. The rest are just copying the golf and pug ideas.

Also ask youjrself, where's the valued market? 'real' classics are worth a lot in great condition. The problem with classics though is the rose tinted specs of it all.

Anyway, it's just a label. If you like some old car and enjoy it, then don't let the fact that it's a 'proper' classic or not stop you, just veer away from calling it a classic else you look like a knob if it isn't really seen as one.

I would say that the MK1 XR2 is definitely a classic, classic means something that was an icon of its day, no longer driven by scrotes, very rare and appreciating in value, look at the MK1 and 2 Escorts.

MK2 XR2 has dropped of the radar as a chav chariot, will reappear in a few years as a classic, people still remember them being hacked around by nobs with big stereos in them, a few years down the line the nostalgia will overcome the prejudice and hey presto a classic.