• View Our Inventory, Call us today 231-468-2809

When Does a Truck Become a Classic?

For old truck lovers and collectors, there is nothing like owning a classic. But what exactly constitutes a classic truck? To the untrained eye, it may seem that all vintage trucks are considered classics. However, in order for a truck to be considered a true classic, it must meet certain criteria. Each state actually has its own guidelines, along with your insurance company, on how they deem an old truck, old car, and even muscles cars, a classic in order to license and insure them as such. Aside from the state and insurance company guidelines, let’s see what makes a truck become an official classic in the collectors world.

Age Guidelines

A good rule of thumb is that any old truck (or old car) made before 1975 can be considered a classic. This is because vehicles produced during this time period usually have more value because they have been around longer and hold more sentimental value to people who remember them from their childhoods or younger years. However, this does not mean that all vehicles created before 1975 are automatically classified as classics—each individual truck must still meet certain criteria in order for this designation to be granted. So before you start cruising down hwy 55 in your old truck, keep reading.

Originality

The condition of the old truck matters greatly when determining if it qualifies as a classic or not. If it has been modified significantly from its original form, then it cannot be officially designated as such. To qualify as an authentic classic truck, the vehicle must remain mostly unchanged from its original form and feature many of its original parts and components (including paint color). It should also maintain its original dimensions and dimensions of the body panels and frame (whenever possible). 

Popularity & Value

Another factor that determines whether or not your truck qualifies as an official classic truck is its popularity amongst collectors. A rare model will generally have more value than one that was mass-produced, which can make it easier for you to classify your old truck as “classic” if you own one of these rare models. Furthermore, the amount of demand for certain trucks can also influence whether or not they are deemed classics; if there is high demand among collectors for particular models, then those trucks may qualify as classics due to their collectible status alone.

At the end of the day, there is no hard-and-fast definition for when exactly a truck becomes an official classic - but with these guidelines in mind you can make an educated guess about whether or not your own vehicle qualifies! Ultimately, age guidelines, condition requirements and collector interest all play a role in determining how we label vintage vehicles - so keep these factors in mind when trying to decide if your trusty old pickup has earned itself the title of “classic”!