hen I think of a classic car, my mind naturally harkens back to the late ’60s and early ’70s. But the general consensus defines a classic car as one that is at least 20-25 years old. I, for one, have a hard time referring to a car from the year 2000 as a classic. In my world any car from the 21st century falls under as new and still under warranty. It’s likely I feel that way because I graduated from high school in 1980 and refuse to accept that was 45 years ago. My kids regularly confirm with me, “that was a very long time ago.” Thanks, boys! Whatever. So, time has a way of taking some of us by surprise—doesn’t mean I have to mentally give in, although physically there is no denying it. With that said, I’m still not referring to a 1985 IROC Camaro as a classic, just because … and stay off my lawn!

OK, so a 1985 Camaro does happen to fall under the criteria of what some auto insurance companies consider to be a classic vehicle. While stewing over that, I proceeded to do an Internet search (what could possibly go wrong) to see what determines a car to be considered vintage. The good ol’ Internet delivered and informed me that cars built from 1919-1930 are referred to as vintage. I found it strange that there is a specific 11-year period for a car to be considered as such. Further digging down the “rabbit hole” I found out a car is considered antique if it is 45-plus years old. As previously mentioned, a car 20-25 years old is considered classic, and in continuing my deep dive, I learned a new term: Modern Classic. This consists of cars that are “post 1980 with value.” Hmmm. “With value” is very broad as value to one person could mean something totally different to another. But that’s the unique thing about this classic-vintage-antique-automotive hobby—everyone has their own idea of what’s cool, what’s not, or, in this case, what is considered valuable.

Well before I began researching all of this old car terminology business, I kinda thought that I knew the difference between an antique vehicle and a vintage vehicle, although I had always leaned toward antique being older than vintage. Could be due to never being allowed to use my mom’s collection of antique plates because they originally belonged to her grandmother from some time in the 1800s and were stored in a 1,000-pound antique hutch of the same vintage. Apparently, they are just for display.

Thanks, Internet, for totally confusing me about what is vintage and what is antique. But I still hold my stance that a car or truck can only be classic if it’s pre 1980. It may or may not comply with the overall rules, but this is my way of making myself feel young and full of life. The Internet also says to feel young and full of life one needs to adhere to a strict diet of healthy foods and plenty of exercise. My way is better.

You in?