About Vintage Cars

The Rarity and Nostalgia of Classic Cars
Restoring, showing off and enjoying a classic, renovated car is an American obsession. To people who don’t know cars, a vintage car is just an old motor vehicle that looks impressive when driving down the road. For car enthusiasts and collectors, the term “vintage” refers to automobiles made between 1919 and 1930. However, in many local clubs and for those who love to restore, the dates are not as important as the rarity and nostalgia of the vehicle. The real draw of vintage cars is the opportunity to make something old, new and beautiful again.
In the 1920s, the auto industry was booming and experiencing a re-birth. The industry was led by Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company, and every year the company introduced a new model with slight modifications for a smoother ride. The demand was high because the luxury of traveling by car was now affordable to most families.
Today, many celebrate that historic time in United States history by preserving their own early 1900s model vehicle. Vintage car ownership is a labor of love. Collecting and restoring automobiles is not a cheap hobby, which is why many enjoy the view from afar. Yet, the draw of a newly restored piece of metal with four wheels remains irresistible for many men (and women) around the world.
Classic Cars and America on the Move have online picture galleries of the vintage vehicles, which include:
- 1910 Stanley steam automobile
- 1911 Sears Model P light delivery car
- 1912 Liberty-Brush runabout
- 1912 Pierce-Arrow runabout
- 1912 Simplex racing car
- 1913 Ford Model T
- 1914 Twombly cyclecar
- 1914 Rauch and Lang electric automobile
- 1914 Chevrolet Series H roadster
- 1918 Oldsmobile touring car
- 1924 Ford coupe
- 1925 Franklin sedan
- 1926 Ford Model T roadster
- 1926 Stutz
- 1927 Ford Model T railway inspection car
- 1928 Chevrolet sedan
- 1929 Cunningham touring car
- 1929 Oakland sedan
Finding Other Hot Rod Lovers – Clubs, Events & Magazines
Considering the extreme expense of collecting vintage cars, the experience is often better when enjoyed with other individuals who share a similar passion. CarClubs.com maintains a list of online and local gathering places for car enthusiasts by name and by make and model of car. General clubs of note include:
Many argue that the best way to share in the excitement of a vintage ride is through community events. Car shows are frequently a go-to source of fundraising and crowd-drawing for local non-profits, high schools, colleges and clubs.
You can also stay up-to-date on the hobby by subscribing to industry magazines such as:
- Hagerty Classic Cars Magazine – Covering topics like showing, buying, selling and restoring, Hagerty Classic Cars, donates 10 percent of net profits to support the classic car community.
- Old Cars Weekly – Provides reading material on the whole gamut of collectible automobiles.
- Hemmings Classic Car Magazine – A go-to place for reliable information about antique and classic cars.
Pursuing a love for vintage cars, whether it is yours or still a dream, is an America tradition – one that can be enjoyed from your own garage or from afar.
Additional Resources
- What is the Difference between a Vintage, a classic and an Antique car, by Americanmusclecarsites.com
- Repairing Old Cars as a Hobby, by Jason Cromwell
- Images of Vintage Cars, by Bing.com
- Car classifications, by Carsdirect.com
- Collector Cars as Investments, by Martin Swig
- 32 Best Cars to restore, by Hemmings.com
- Vintage Toy Cars: the Collectors Dream, by Amanda Russell
- Restoration of Vintage Cars more than a Hobby for Plant City Resident, by The Tampa Tribune
- Four Reasons NOT to Restore a Vintage car, by Autoweek.com
- Car Restoration Instructions and Tips to Make that Vintage or classic car Shine, by Findingdulcinea.com
- Vintage Car Rental, by Yellowpages.com
- Vintage Model cars, by Collectorsweekly.com
Videos
- Vintage Car Show, by Cat Paws Techie Girl
- Vintage Promotional Model Cars and Trucks are plastic Gold, by GoMotorBids
- Classic Car Body Restoration, by Mindover3
- The 99 Year old Car, by Barcroft Cars
- iPod Options in Vintage Cars without Hacking Your car, by Survivor87
Education
- Classic Car Restoration Education, by Hagertyeducationprogram.org
- Car Restoration Software, by Collectorcarcompanion.com
Books
- Amazing Barn Finds, by Ryan Brutt
- 50 Shades of Rust, by Tom Cotter
- American auto Legends, by Michael Furman and Tracy Powell
- 2015 Collector Car Price Guide, by Editors of Old Cars Report Price Guide
- Keith Martin’s Guide to Car Collecting, by Keith Martin
Apps
- Vintage Car Race, by Fun N Drag, available on iTunes for free