Daveb15

I now have twins. 1989 Olds Cutlass Supreme sl, white exterior, grey interior. 3.1l W-Bodies. Both are low miles. I know some will say any W-Body or later is not a classic olds, but with the demise of the Olds division, all have become classics. One has a black hood and a large dent behind the driver door. The other has pinstripes and a trailer hitch. Both have all digital instrument clusters. I hope to add in an original HUD unit as I fix up the first one (which still drives fine, despite the damage). I am in North Carolina.

rustyroger

Welcome to the forum.
How do you define a classic?, your opinion is as good as anyone elses.
If you like your cars enjoy them and don't worry about those who say it isn't old enough/rare enough/wrong design etc.

Roger.

MDchanic

I will go further and say that no Olds other than the 1901 to 1907 curved dash models is a classic, but we've had this discussion here before, and it generally turns ugly, so I'll leave it at that.

"Classic: klasik; judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind" — Oxford American Dictionary

Welcome to Classic Olds.

- Eric

jaunty75

If you're referring to the name of this website ("classic"oldsmobile.com) and thus wondering if your cars are "classics" in the sense of the way the word is used here, you can stop worrying.

There is no rigid definition of "classic" when it applies to old cars, although there are probably some generally-accepted ideas, such as the car has to be at least more than a year or two old.

ALL Oldsmobiles are welcome on this site. Just enjoy your cars.

We we DO want to see are some photos. That IS a near-requirement for joining this site!

oldcutlass

In the truest definition of the word Classic in accordance with the CCA, none of the Oldsmobile's or any of the big 3 fall into the specific term of Classic. In the definition of Collectable or Timeless beauty, then all old cars qualify.

tru-blue 442

I always heard, 25 yrs old, classic.
30 yrs old, antique.

MDchanic

No way, Josè.

Classic has a very specific meaning.
Some refuse to use words according to their definitions, which is not something any of us has control over, but the word essentially means "a particularly excellent example," which, in the antique auto world, is generally accepted to mean cars like Dusenbergs, Delahayes, Caddy V-16s, etc.

The meaning of antique may vary by state, but most define it as 25 years old or older.
Antique furniture us usually defined as 100 years old or more.

- Eric

oldcutlass

Here's the list and definition:

http://www.classiccarclub.org/grand_..._classics.html

59-59-59

Oh god. Here we go

tru-blue 442

Hahaha, I think you may be right...

MDchanic

... and the OP is nowhere in sight...

- Eric

redoldsman

Oldcutlass you better check the list and thanks for providing the link. The Big 3 are represented by Buick, Cadillac and Lincoln. I think the term "Classic" can be what somebody wants it to be. I turned 67 today and I would classify myself more of an antique than a classic.

oldcutlass

I forgot about Chrysler. I consider the big three as Ford, Chevrolet and Chrysler. Anyway what I was alluding to that the definition is specific and there are no cars on it after 1948. Yes, there are many definitions of "Classic" floating around.

starfire

That is probably the silliest, most self-serving definition of "classic car" that I have ever seen. It looks like a bunch of guys who owned that era car got together and formed a club and said: "This is what we define as a "Classic" (because that word is in the name of our club).

It would be the same as if some of us got together and formed a club called "The Great American Muscle Car Club" AKA GAMCC and then proclaimed that only American cars built between 1964 and 1970 with certain random, but connected criteria can be considered "Muscle Cars" and if anyone else tried to state that their 1949 Olds 88 or 1971 Pontiac GTO was a Muscle Car they'd be wrong.

MDchanic

It's also the oldest one and the original one.


Ummm... That's what they did. In 1952.
And they coined the term "classic car," so they pretty much get to determine what it means.


Only if we were the first people to use the term "muscle car."
Since the term "muscle car" already pretty much has an established meaning (which we can argue abut again, as well, if you wish), your analogy comes up short.

Not every run-of-the-mill car can be a "classic."
A "classic" is a special car which is unusually well constructed and represents the best of its time and type.
If it's a regular car, and it's old, then it's an "antique."
If it's not even really old, then it's a "collectible."

- Eric

tru-blue 442

I feel my vert is a classic and a muscle car.
But even that could be debated.
4-speed? No. L-69? No. A/C? Heck yes.

OLD SKL 69

Welcome to CO Dave! Don't worry about the definition of classic, at this point, it's cool to see any Olds still being driven.

redoldsman

I don't think some of the Oldsmobiles made in the final years will ever be considered classics by anybody. The last version of the 98 comes to mind. It was sad that GM has let such a proud vehicle turn into such a poor excuse for a vehicle.

oldcutlass

I think this statement applies to most of the vehicle lines and all manufacturers up to that point.

MDchanic

+1 and +1.

This is the crux of the decline of the American auto industry - bean counters, who were always prominent, took every aspect of the industry, and everything that could be done to make the cars cheaper, including reducing overall quality, was done, leaving those crappy, "compressed rust," "S__tbox" Japanese cars that got good gas mileage looking more and more attractive, and enticing the Japanese manufacturers to design their cars more and more toward American tastes and needs.

- Eric

nsnarsk65cutlass

All good points, but to the younger generation 1980 something might be considered classic to them. Not me.

MDchanic

These kids today, with their Super Nintendo Marios and their CD Walkmans and their Free Love, Jazz Music and Flower Power...

When I was their age, I had to start my car with a crank, and it would kick back and break my arm, so I had to use my other arm, and when that arm broke, I had to drive with my teeth...

- Eric

oldcutlass

It all leads to sex and cigarettes...

MDchanic

... And their music... It's just NOISE!

rustyroger

The rot set in with the dawn of rock'n'roll, wait a moment, it was boogie woogie, no, jazz, hold on I'm sure my great grandfather said it was recorded music.....
And the cars, air conditioning, automatic transmission, power steering, independent suspension, synchromesh gearboxes, windshield wipers, heaters, I guess anything with a self starter or later can't be a classic.....
Don't even get me started on fashion, air travel, modern medicine.......

Roger.

MDchanic

It was that damned ragtime claptrap.

Like banging pots and pans together.

- Eric

redoldsman

I think we took a left turn about 2 miles back down the road. This is getting funny now.

73aussie455

welcome to the site Daveb15 from a fellow Olds owner downunder.
mate, you can have your own opinion here i gather as can everyone else, so dont get put off by the friendly banter.
i would suggest we all have an affinity for the marque and affection for the the model we have in the garage, whatever that may be. For me its my Delta.

MDchanic you really are an antique aren't you? a funny bugger, but an antique none the less!

oldcutlass

It was a slow day, we have to talk about sumfin.

Diego

My head hurts.

MDchanic

Sure, but how's your bursitis?

- Eric

Diego

Cogito, ergo boom.

MDchanic

- Eric

lazy394

At the risk of causing a ruckus I think that the term 'classic' is one of the most over used words in the world and especially the automotive realm followed closely by 'rare'.
Look in any for sale forums and see if you go a page without seeing either.

73aussie455

how about the odds of meeting someone from adelaide here lazy394. I'm located in the N.E burbs, foolhills.

MDchanic

Precisely.

- Eric

cameron74

in my opinion there are two types of classics, 1950's and back and what i consider classic muscle which is 1970's to 1960's. anything newer than that isn't a "classic" i'm quite a bit younger than most of you i'm sure...with that said us younger generation car lovers know what a quality car is.

Daveb15

No matter how you define "classic" my two little W-bodied Olds's are fun to drive and tough. I got hit hard enough to turn the car sideways, and it just straightened out and still drives fine, even though the insurance company totaled it. I hardly felt the impact. Bought it back at scrap value, bought another just like it (twin) and still had a bit of scratch left for gas. No arguing it's a good car.

s i 442

This thread is a "classic"!

I hate reading in an ad " They stopped making Olds so my 73 Omega is a classic".
They quit making 68 442s in 68 and never made another 68 again and that happened every year so take that info and a quarter and buy a cup of coffee....................

tru-blue 442

IF YOU could buy a cop o joe fo a quo.
you may have to add a few more bits.

Afta all yo, it's a 73 ohmo.

It deserves a big block.
Now that's classic.