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Great Old Cars has antique cars, vintage cars, classic cars, special interest autos, muscle cars and pony cars for sale. We have included the definitions of these cars that are used by collectors and hobbyists below.

Collector Cars
Antique Autos
Vintage Autos
Classic Autos
Special Interest Autos
Muscle Cars
Pony Cars

COLLECTOR CARS
Generally speaking the term collector car refers to any of the antique cars, vintage cars, classic cars, special interest cars, muscle cars and pony cars in the categories above and the definitions below. As the collector car market expands, so does the definition of what constitutes a collector car. Today, vehicles from the 1970's that would have been abandoned in are now being rescued and restored. As they say, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". You can spend $2,000 or $200,000 and you become a collector that enters the fascinating world of nostalgia, art and beauty.

ANTIQUE AUTOS (Cars)
1886-1915

Typically, the Antique Era automobiles reflect the basic roots of the automotive industry: cars are somewhat crude and unsophisticated, and look somewhat like their predecessors--the horse-drawn carriage or bicycle. All-white tires and often slab-sided bodies were typical, as were squared radiator shapes or no visible radiator. Fenders were square-shaped and often leather covered.

The Antique Era begins with the earliest self-propelled motor vehicles. The pioneers, notably Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot of France, and Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz of Germany, dreamed of and experimented with self-propelled vehicles for varying reasons. Cugnot's steam-powered tractor of 1771 was built to move heavy military armament, and is also believed to have been involved in the very first motor vehicle accident when it ran uncontrolled into a French arsenal. Daimler, an industrial engine manufacturer, fitted his engine to a crude wooden-framed, wooden-wheeled "motorcycle" to demonstrate the versatility of his internal combustion engine. Benz, however, set out to build a compact and practical self-propelled vehicle, and he succeeded. The result was the world's first patented motor vehicle, the three-wheeled Benz Patent Motorwagen of 1886.

During the next fifteen to twenty years, self-propelled vehicles really developed. Germany and France were at the forefront while England lagged behind due to very restrictive road-use laws. America's motor vehicle development really began in the mid-1890s. Charles and Frank Duryea are recognized as the earliest American automotive manufacturers; indeed, 1996 is the centennial of the American automobile industry with the Duryea brothers' thirteen "mass-produced" cars. Notable American manufacturers include Ransom E. Olds, whose goal was to replace the horse for everyday transportation with his lightweight Curved Dash Olds.

After the turn of the century, Olds is credited with manufacturing America's first mass-produced auto as nearly 12,000 were built between 1901 and 1904. Alexander Winton of Cleveland, James Packard of Detroit, and Henry Ford all produced automobiles similar to the Olds and went on to further develop their individual brands. Various forms of motive power were steam, electric and the complicated but more efficient internal combustion engine. Transmission of this power was developed through trial and error. Geared transmissions, planetary transmissions, electric motor transmissions, and final drives were all tried and developed into practical, efficient units. Over the years the internal combustion engine has been developed to be efficient and dependable.

The Antique Era saw England's restrictive road-use laws repealed while in Europe and America better roads were built to handle the increased popularity and practicality of automobiles. Henry Ford's relatively simple Model T went into production in 1908 and a staggering 15 million were produced through 1927. By 1924, the Ford sold for $290, making it less expensive to use and maintain than a horse. R. E. Olds' dream had come true.

One of the most innovative advancements in automotive development, the electric self-starter introduced on the 1912 Cadillac, replaced the dangerous hand crank which eliminated the possibility of broken bones from engine kick-back. As Charles Kettering's electric starter eliminated the hand crank, an on-board generator now provided electricity for head and tail lights, making acetylene gas and kerosene lamps suddenly obsolete. The Antique Era, 1886-1915, ended with efficient, self-propelled, self-starting motor vehicles throughout the world.

VINTAGE AUTOS (Cars)
1916-1924

Generally, Vintage Era autos are more technically advanced; therefore, styling became more flowing, enclosed bodies afforded more weather protection with windows that raised and lowered, radiator shapes became more rounded, and fender shapes were longer and more sculpted. Several new styles of wheels were introduced including steel disc wheels; and, great advancements in tire designs also prevailed

The Vintage Era was a period of great technology and development. By the end of the Vintage Era, thousands of different names of automobiles were listed in the United States alone; however, in many cases, only one car was ever produced. As more and more manufacturers entered the industry, components were built by smaller specialty manufacturers, thereby adding immensely to the economy. By 1916, 96% of all American autos were equipped with a self-starter.

Engine development continued and Packard, one of the world's highest quality manufacturers, developed their V-12 engine in 1915 calling it the "Twin-Six." Other manufacturers in America and Europe followed suit and during the 1930s V-8, V-12 and V-16 configurations prevailed. This era offered car buyers a wide range of automobiles: motor buggies, electrics, cycle-cars, steam cars, touring cars, experimental cars, and, of course, the luxury cars.

The Vintage Era could be characterized as a time of choice. Nearly all earlier automobiles exposed the occupants to the elements, but with better roads, higher speeds and greater use, enclosed coachwork became more common. The automobile body developed together with the mechanicals. Greater luxury, more comfort, increased horsepower and efficiency were available to the auto buyer during the Vintage Era.

CLASSIC AUTOS (Cars)
1925-1948

This Classic Era is the greatest, in terms of automotive design. Classic cars are typically very expensive and very stylish automobiles built to exacting standards of craftsmanship and technology. The bodies were often "coach built", meaning the bodies were styled and crafted by specialists in auto body design and craftsmanship. Typically Classic cars have highly styled bodies and fenders; the radiator shape is usually unique and somewhat aerodynamic or streamlined. Usually, wide white sidewall tires and chrome wire spoke wheels adorn Classic cars.

The Blackhawk Automotive Museum uses the terminology "Classic Car" as defined and listed by the Classic Car Club of America:

"...fine or unusual foreign or domestic motor cars, built between and including the years 1925 and 1948, and distinguished for their respective fine design, high engineering standards and superior workmanship..."

In every automotive era special and significant autos have been produced for a variety of reasons. These very special one-off or limited edition automobiles can be defined as "classic" or in the Museum's terminology, International Automotive Treasures. These great cars are a primary focus of the Blackhawk Automotive Museum.

Automobiles of the 1890s closely resembled the carriages, buggies, phaetons and victorias being produced for the horse-drawn trade. As the mechanicals of the automobile were being mastered, coachbuilders--who for years had plied their trade on the grand horse-drawn carriages of the wealthy--began to experiment with coachwork for the automobile. Streamlining, to a degree, and boat-building techniques such as copper-riveted paneling and v-shaped windshields, were tried on automobiles. These styling experiments and the demand for unusual and innovative vehicles spawned a new industry--coach building for the automobile. Frequently, as much thought and care were lavished on a coach built auto as on one's residence.

Elaborate bodies of all descriptions were mated with the most innovative chassis and mechanicals of the era. Some American firms that moved to coach built automobiles were Cunningham, McFarlan, Brewster, Fleetwood and Studebaker. Likewise, many European builders followed suit. In the Classic Era, nothing more dramatically demonstrates the term "Classic" than the custom automobile. Often, automobile manufacturers such as Duesenberg did not build bodies; they produced rolling chassis which were delivered to a coachbuilder to be bodied as specified by dealers and distributors to their customers' individual tastes.

The Coach built Era in the U.S. ended after World War II and soon thereafter in most foreign countries. Auto manufacturers' in-house body designers and fabricators were direct descendants of the independent coachbuilders.

CCCA List

SPECIAL INTEREST AUTOS (Cars)
1920-1970

This category generally includes all eras of collector cars. Special Interest autos are identified as automobiles which have appeal for various reasons of engineering and/or style. Many automobile factory show cars and celebrity cars of all eras fit in this category. No typical styling features can be assigned to this group, but all unique and unusual autos can generally be categorized as "Special Interest."

This category encompasses the historically significant unique automobiles that don't fit easily into other categories. Often it is only in the eyes of the beholder that a car qualifies as "Special Interest." Both styling and engineering factors can be reasons for inclusion in this category. Innovative autos such as the Chrysler and DeSoto Airflows, the revolutionary Tucker, and first-year engineering efforts such as the 1949 Cadillac (the first year of the new overhead valve V-8), and the 1955 Chevrolet V-8 Nomad station wagon, qualify.

MUSCLE CARS
1964 and Later

The term was first used in the 1970s. It has different interpretations for different individuals and groups. Technically it is a car  with a a high performance V8. Some examples are listed here: AMC AMX, Buick GS, Chevrolet Camaro SS and Z-28 models, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Chevrolet Impala SS, Chevrolet Nova SS, Dodge Challenger RT, Dodge Charger RT, Dodge Coronet RT, Dodge Dart 383 and 440, Dodge daytona, Dodge Super Bee, Ford Fairlane and Torino GT and Cobra models. Muscle cars are truly hot in the collector car market.

PONY CARS
1964 and Later

The term Pony Car originated from the Ford Mustang. The Mercury Cougar, Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, American Motors Corporation (AMC) Javelin, AMC AMX, and Dodge Challenger are all considered "Pony Cars". Pony Cars are considered Muscle Cars when they have the top of the line performance packages. Pony cars are popular and represent a very desirable portion of the collector car market

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