Have you ever wondered what it feels like to cruise in a mint-condition 1965 Mustang? Are you thinking about dipping your toe into the world of antique automobiles?
Before you buy a collectible car, you must understand how old a car must be to be considered an antique car, a classic car, or a vintage car. While many people use the definitions classic, antique, and vintage interchangeably, they mean different things. And some cars, depending on their age, can be antique and vintage! Some classic car clubs and state DMVs have their own definitions of how old to be an antique car.
Although classic cars can be a good investment, more people purchase them because they evoke happy memories and provide tangible links to the past. It’s no surprise that there are about 31 million collectible cars in the United States. The state with the most collectible cars is California. Florida is ranked #2 and New York is #3. In nine states, Ford Mustangs are the most popular antique car model.
What Are Antique Cars?
Antique cars bring us to the “Me Decade” through the post-cold War decade. Is that beloved, candy-apple red, 1987 Mustang in your driveway considered an antique? It depends. Some organizations and DMVs say how many years for antique status is at least 25 years old, while others say it must be at least 45 years old to be an antique. Here in Indiana, a car is antique once it has hit the quarter-century mark. The Antique Automobile Club of America also considers a car antique if at least 25 years old.
What Are Classic Cars?
Once again, how old a car must be to be a vintage classic car varies depending on who you ask. Some say it must be at least 20 years old and the noughties aughts at the beginning of this century. Others say it must be between 20 and 40 years old. Others say it needs to be between 15 and 25 years old. The best way to check whether your car is considered classic is to search the DMV website for its regulations in your state.
What Are Vintage Cars?
Vintage cars evoke the exuberant optimism of the 1920s and bring us to the eve of the Great Depression. Most clubs and DMVs define a vintage car as manufactured between 1919 and 1930. The most popular vintage car models include the 1925 Rolls Royce Phantom and the 1929 Hudson 7 Roadster. Because antique cars are at least 25 or 45 years old (depending on who you ask) vintage cars are also antique cars.
Insuring Antique, Classic, and Vintage Cars
Standard auto insurance doesn’t provide adequate protection for a beloved antique car. In addition, you might be surprised to know you will pay lower premiums by insuring your antique car through an exceptional insurance carrier like Classic Auto Insurance.
We have provided reliable, thorough auto insurance for antique, classic, and vintage cars for more than 20 years. Although in Indianapolis, Indiana, we provide nationwide coverage to protect your investment and we understand how old is a car to be antique.
As a member of the collector and classic car community, we understand that your beloved vehicle is unique and requires different types of coverage. We will create a customized auto insurance plan to meet your needs.
Our insurance covers:
- Antiques – 25 model years and older
- Classics – 20 to 24 model years
- Collectibles – 15 to 19 model years
- Exotic Cars – Newer than 15 years
- Street Rods/Customs – Mechanically and/or cosmetically altered
- Race Cars – This includes the trailers
- Kit Cars – Built from a purchased package and assembled by an experienced professional, manufacturer, or dealer
Contact us for a personalized quote to cover your prized vehicle today.
