Important criterium for classics

Age is the main criterion for determining a classic. But, some factors will influence when a model becomes of age. I would argue that rarity and exclusivity have the biggest impact and can make a classic out of a new, rare and expensive model. The latest Bugatti comes to mind. I like to think that 35 years is the age that a model becomes a classic and the other factors will lower this for individual cases. End of the model line also can speed up the process whereas continuation can slow it down. The engineering of Audi 4x4, racing Porsches, the Mustang in Bullitt and the reputation/popularity of the Corvette can speed up the process. Sheer numbers of Miatas, conservative engineering of Jeeps and poor or no press for most Hyundais will stretch out those years. Cheers Ron

Was the 85-86 Toyota Corolla GT-S (AE86) considered a future classic in it's day? That car, to me, defies most of these classifications. While it was rare, it wasn't particularly noteworthy and was replaced with a front-driver in 87. Most of the hot-hatch comparisons of the day, had it losing to the newly released Integra, the A2 GTI, Dodge Colt Turbo twin-stick and the Mitsubishi Cordia Turbo!

Those cars didn't seem to get too much attention until the drifters found them. Now they're unobtanium in unmolested original condition. Go figure.

"A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city center streets."

bravenrace wrote: "A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city center streets."

Yeah, that was bugging me too. Criterion/criteria. I agree with the OP that rarity certainly helps a car become regarded as a classic.

I've always liked the formula a mate of mine came up with, which we "immortalised" in the FAQ for a UK-based classic bike newsgroup:

http://www.unixconsult.co.uk/bike/ukrmcfaq.html#classic

Tim, I love that formula! It's a winner for sure.

My old classical studies come to the fore and I incorrectly used the latin singular of criteria. Any one of the points or a combination of more than one can turn a car into a classic before the age factor kicks in but advanced age will always make a classic eventually.

Cheers Ron

rconlon wrote: Age is the main criterion for determining a classic. But, some factors will influence when a model becomes of age. I would argue that rarity and exclusivity have the biggest impact and can make a classic out of a new, rare and expensive model. The latest Bugatti comes to mind. I like to think that 35 years is the age that a model becomes a classic and the other factors will lower this for individual cases. End of the model line also can speed up the process whereas continuation can slow it down. The engineering of Audi 4x4, racing Porsches, the Mustang in Bullitt and the reputation/popularity of the Corvette can speed up the process. Sheer numbers of Miatas, conservative engineering of Jeeps and poor or no press for most Hyundais will stretch out those years. Cheers Ron

Sheer numbers stretch out years? Plain crazy! Tell me a pre '73 Datsun 240Z isn't a classic! And how many of them were sold?

I believe the NA model Miatas are already classics if for no other reason that they they put so many people back into sports cars and convertibles. Without them, we'd still all be in hatchbacks or coupes. And now that the NC is out, the NB will be a classic soon as well.

Both of these cars are classics not because they were such junk they couldn't sell new, like the Edsel. They are classics because they were and are so much value for the buck & didn't scare off the insurance companies either.

bravenrace wrote: "A criterium, or crit, is a bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city center streets."

Indeed. I had a Raleigh criterium push bike in secondary school (UK) :)

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