30th Aug 2012, 17:31

According to insurance companies, a vehicle must be 25 years old to be insured as a classic, regardless of what make or model.

The vehicle could be a low budget Plymouth Cricket, but guess what, it's still a classic.

31st Aug 2012, 12:03

I'm sorry, but I go to a lot of car shows, and if someone shows up with an '84 Cutlass or a late 70's Lincoln, they're going to get laughed at. We can talk all day long about what technically is a classic. But there's more definition to what makes a classic than just its age. But if someone wants to call their '84 Buick/Chevy/Ford a "classic", by all means feel free. Just don't expect others to think of them as classics akin to something like a real classic - like a Bel Air, '69 Cadillac Eldorado, or '70 Plymouth Fury.

As far as misinformation, that was in regards to the old-fashioned comments basically claiming that anything new or with a unibody was not as safe or as solid as an older car from the 70's with a frame. That is technically inaccurate, plain and simple. Unibody frames also don't automatically mean that they're more prone to rust. It's all about design. If you don't properly prime and paint a frame on any car or truck, it can just as easily totally rust out in just a few years - as has been seen in a number of cars and trucks over the years. If you have a unibody frame vehicle that has the proper sealant, paint, and uses modern metallurgical compositions and careful means to avoid electrogalvanic corrosion, then it should last every bit as long as any body on frame car.

1st Sep 2012, 12:09

Next month is the Hagley Car Show; a very highly respected show in the Northeast. Last year Dennis Gage was there with the Speed Channel. Take a read on the cut off date on model years. What kind of car do you show, and what class is it? Or is it a cruise night car.

I personally prefer late model, full frame cars and trucks, vs unibody cars where the body is part of the unibody.

Maybe you have no issue with road salt, but we do. Late model unibodies, dipped or not, can be an issue up here.

1st Sep 2012, 14:19

I have as much respect for the Buick Grand Nationals from the 80s in mint condition at shows. And on the track as well. I wouldn't ever laugh at this low production, very significant piece of automotive history. In fact I do not laugh at anyone that undertakes a major costly restoration.

How about a Monte Carlo Pro Street with a 502 under the hood. Or a 1982 Corvette with a 383 Stroker. I even saw a big block Chevrolet power Rolls Royce tastefully done and at many shows. What a sleeper until you turn the key.

2nd Sep 2012, 11:36

I dunno... I've always loved classics and have had my '55 Mercury for 12 years. A lot of us car collectors unaffectionately refer to Detroit iron from the late 70's-80's as the "Malaise" period... simply put, the cars were pretty bad. Lots of cost-cutting and shortcuts made to the overall cars and their powertrains. Sure - there were a few exceptions - like the Buick Grand National mentioned earlier - but for the most part, it was a rather drab era.

But I will also admit that most of the reason why people collect old cars, is because they associate them with when they were younger. Thus you are already starting to see people restore things like mid 80's Toyota 4Runners and 80's Ford Mustangs. Every generation will restore what was "their" era of cars and trucks. So inevitably we will in fact start seeing 80's cars at classic car shows more and more as time goes by.

3rd Sep 2012, 06:36

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In fact many may view your car in that manner. The point is you like it.

Since this is a 1971 review and a Mercury was mentioned; I once bought a 1971 Mercury Capri. White with a sunroof. It was low mileage, garage kept. I bought it as a flip at a great price. I actually disliked the car to keep, but I took it to some cruises and sold it. I feel that's the best place to sell cars. Drew attention, and people seemed to like it. It was different.

I am starting to have a greater appreciation for cars like a Pontiac Grand Ville 455 Convertible I just saw at a show. I was in a Veterans Hospital show on on Saturday. It seemed to be the Chrysler guys walk away trophy day. Best of show was a new Magnum 1000 hp, heavily engineered. The new Challengers did well. None were stock. There was a 66 Corvette that looked original, but was far from it. LS3 new gen Vette motor, even a C4 frame. So you drive it across country and back. I am seeing more and more of "restification" on old cars. Modern engines, braking, steering. More people are adding air conditioning, disc brakes, electronic ignition, and 5 speed trans for mileage. You really do not know what you will find under a hood.

I have 2 cars; one old, one new that I show. Neither are bone stock. I go with reversible upgrades and save stock parts. If I have a buyer that is a purist, they can restore it back. I go for safety first. Better brakes, power steering, electronic ignition, better wheels and tires. Then breathing, exhaust etc.

I know a lot of car guys very well. Much of it's nostalgia, but it's even more the point that they become friends. Many are couples. Many car guys come from interesting backgrounds, I have had a lot of new work on my home. I see what they did with their cars, so I can appreciate how meticulous they are. We do many club activities year round, even when it snows. We do tech nights, Christmas parties, wives cook together, rotate homes, and club members meet do other things to. It's a good time. A lot of guys prefer to be solo or show up with just their family at a cruise night. I did that myself, but found I was missing a tremendous amount. We have done club project cars together. I know a lot more than if I were solo. If you search for a popular brand or group of enthusiasts (like even a British Car club) you will appreciate your car more. If your car is too unique, it's difficult to find any sort of club nearby, if at all. Good luck!

3rd Sep 2012, 20:42

The "Malaise" period. Call it what you want, many will disagree with you, car collectors or not.

As a car enthusiast / collector that comes from a fairly large family, I would have to say that some of the best cars we ever had were indeed full-mid size body on frame GM's, and a couple of Fords.

No signs whatsoever of cost cutting short cuts or quality issues.