Classic Car

A classic car is an automobile that is listed by the Classic Car Club of America, selected for its particular attributes, whether they are of a historical nature, a design breakthrough or a marketing trendsetter. Generally speaking, a true "classic" had to be a very special car the very day it was made. At present, there are no classics listed after 1948, and certainly not all cars made before 1948 are classics!

 Milestone Car

This term came about as an attempt by the Milestone Car Society to more precisely identify potential future "classics", based on the presumption that the Classic Car Club of America would continue to add to their list. One sees this term used now and again, but it really hasn't caught on in common usage within the old car community. Milestone cars include specific cars built between 1945-1972, and are well thought out. A more common label one hears for cars in this state of limbo is "future classics", which is an unfortunate term and not the fault of the Milestone Society. Many predictions like this have failed to come true, Like 976 Cadillac convertibles and DeLoreans?

 Collector Car

Any car that is actively collected by a discernible number of hobbyists, and for which a market has been established and a club formed.

 Special Interest Car

There is a subtle distinction between a special interest and a collector car, in that a special interest car could have only a relatively few devoted hobbyists who are interested. So, theoretically, a special interest car might not have any club associated with it, or any particular value attached to it. All this term really means is that someone is saving and perhaps restoring this type of car.