Classic car - Era of change

Cars manufactured fifty years ago are called classic cars. There is no specific definition set for it as various manufacturers, reviewers, associations and clubs pet different concept about classic car. So the best way to explain a classic car is describing it as an old car. In other words, any old car is a classic car.

The classic car is defined as a distinctive automobiles built during the Pre World War 2 era beginning after the Great Depression of 1929 till the emergence of the modern era of automobiles in the 70s. The classic car era can be divided into two categories, the pre war era and the post war era.

Before WW II, the most popular cars were the one that had inbuilt fenders and bodies were compact. However, during and after the war, sedan type cars with boots in rear gained popularity. As the war end was nearing, a new trend had hit the society. Cars like touring cars, phaetons and runabouts did not last long and were removed from the roads and that saw the end of year of classic car manufacture.

The running boards, wings, and headlights gradually got incorporated in the body of the car. A number of technological developments took place during this time such as the all synchromesh gearbox, V8 flathead engine, front wheel transmission, monocoque body V12 engines and so on. All these contributed to the development of the classic car. Near the end of the pre war era the number of car manufacturer declined due to the constant mergers and acquisitions of the small auto manufacturers by the giants.

Some of the popular classic cars in the pre war era were, Alvis Speed 20, Alvis Speed 25, Ford V8, Bugatti Type 57, Citron Traction Avant, Volkswagen, and Rolls Royce Phantom III.

The Second World War influenced the then automobile industry. It is said that the second phase of classic cars begun after the end of the war. The end of war also marked the end of the period of the large gas sloshing automotive giants. This led to the beginning of grand tour vehicles, coupes and the sedans.

After the war many of the automobile giants felt the need for smaller family type cars. Cars like Ford Consul, Morris Minor and Rover P4 became very popular. The Volkswagen Beetle the largest sold car model till date became a hit in the European and US markets because of its compact size and shape. Beetle remained the largest sold car till the production was stopped in 2003.

The popularity of family cars also led to the introduction of many small manufactures from other countries too like Japan. In the later years, these small companies gained tremendous popularity in the US and European markets too. Spacious Mini Model of the British Motor Corporation gained popular as another small car in Europe. This particular small car model proved to be for the small European streets.

The post war classic car era also saw the popularity of the high performance sports car rise. The Ferrari 250 series, V6-powered Aurelia from Lancia, Porsche’s 356 Roadstar blazed the roads of Europe.

With the end of classic car phase, the new cars manufactured with many new developments of technology like uni-body, double wishbone suspension, latest engine types like rotary, twin V, boxer and so on. Everything that is associated with the present day classic car changed during this phase, from speed to power.