I did not start loving classic cars until a few years ago. I could not understand why people, including my father, had such a fascination with them. It was not until I started looking at classic cars that I realized my father’s love for cars. I imagine it is the same fascination people have when they look at antique art. There is a certain beauty that the car holds and a certain character that people find appealing.

First, it is important to understand what a classic car is. If one sees an older looking car, a copper license plate will surely be attached to the back. Most often times, it will say “historical vehicle,” but some copper plates read “classic car.” According to the DMV, “a classic ride is defined as a vehicle included in the 1963 list of classic motor vehicles submitted to AZ MVD by the Classic Car Club of America.” Note that this list is generally revised within a period of five years. Unlike the DMV defined classic car age, a historic motor vehicle originates from a model date of original manufacture that is 25 years old or older. This list can also include a vehicle outlined in a list of historic cars by a recognized institution. At a car show, the types of “classic cars” becomes even more precise. The shows often have six different classes, or categories, someone could enter their car into.

What makes these cars loved by so many is often the nostalgia from a certain generation. Many senior citizens have classic cars because they remind them of their youth and often times their own first car. Also, many adults buy the cars they dreamed of having as children. For the younger generations, it usually means merely appreciating the beauty of the older car. Just like how someone prefers a classical painting over a modern painting, classic car enthusiasts prefer the character and charm of an older car than the appeal of a newer car.