What Are Those “Old School” Cars Called?

They’re most commonly called classic cars, though the specific term can vary by age, era, style, and region—others you’ll hear include antique, vintage, pre-war, muscle car, hot rod, and youngtimer. In everyday conversation “classic” is safe; among enthusiasts and officials, definitions get more precise.

Why the Label Changes Depending on Context

“Old school” is a casual catch-all. Car clubs, insurers, and vehicle registries use more exact language tied to production years, originality, and use. Enthusiast culture piles on era- and style-specific names, which can describe anything from a 1910s touring car to a 1990s Japanese performance coupe.

Common Umbrella Terms

These broad labels are widely used by the public and media and are helpful when you don’t need to pinpoint an exact era.

• Classic car: General-purpose term for older collectible vehicles; often 20–40+ years old, depending on who’s defining it.
• Antique car: In many U.S. contexts, 25 years or older for registration/insurance purposes; some enthusiasts reserve “antique” for much older cars.
• Vintage car: Strictly in the UK, usually 1919–1930; casually elsewhere, used to mean “very old.”
• Historic vehicle: A legal/administrative term in several countries for older cars that qualify for special registration or tax status.
• Modern classic / Youngtimer: Typically 1980s–2000s vehicles gaining collectible status, especially in Europe and among insurers.
• Rad-era / Radwood-era: Colloquial for 1980s–1990s cars, popularized by Radwood shows and culture.

These terms help frame the conversation; if you’re not sure, “classic car” is broadly understood and least likely to raise eyebrows.

Era- and Style-Specific Names Enthusiasts Use

When people say “old school,” they may actually mean a distinct era or style. These labels carry more precise historical or cultural meaning.

• Brass Era: Pre–World War I cars (roughly to 1915), named for brass fittings and lamps.
• Vintage Era: Commonly 1919–1930 (especially UK usage).
• Pre-war: Built before 1945; Post-war: built 1946 onward, often used to distinguish designs split by WWII.
• Classic Era (CCCA “Full Classics”): High-end cars from 1915–1948 recognized by the Classic Car Club of America.
• Pony car: Compact American coupes with long hoods/short decks (e.g., Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro).
• Muscle car: Mainly mid-1960s–early 1970s American V8 performance cars (e.g., GTO, Charger); modern “muscle” also exists.
• Hot rod: Typically pre-war or early post-war cars modified for speed; Customs focus more on styling.
• Restomod: Classic looks with modern engines, brakes, electronics, or interiors.
• Coachbuilt: Bespoke-bodied cars, often luxury models from the 1920s–1950s.
• Microcar: Very small, economical cars, especially 1950s–1960s (e.g., BMW Isetta).

Using these terms correctly signals familiarity with car culture and can narrow “old school” down to a specific niche.

How Officials and Clubs Define Them

Rules vary by country and organization, affecting registration, taxation, and insurance. Here’s how major bodies classify older vehicles in 2025.

United States

U.S. states set their own thresholds, and insurers have their own categories tied to age and usage.

• DMV “Antique/Historic” plates: Often 20–30+ years old with limited-use restrictions (varies by state).
• California: “Horseless Carriage” plates for vehicles manufactured before 1922; “Historical Vehicle” plates for vehicles manufactured after 1922 that are at least 25 years old and of historic interest.
• Texas and Virginia: “Antique” generally 25+ years with exhibition/limited-use rules.
• AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America): Considers vehicles 25 years or older as “antique” for club purposes.
• CCCA (Classic Car Club of America): Recognizes “Full Classics” built 1915–1948, typically luxury/high-end models.

In the U.S., expect “antique” and “classic” to be used administratively around the 25-year mark, with enthusiast definitions sometimes stricter.

United Kingdom

The UK uses “historic vehicle” as a legal class tied to taxation, inspection, and emissions rules.

• DVLA “Historic Vehicle” tax class: Rolling 40-year cutoff. In 2025, vehicles built before 1 January 1985 are eligible (subject to criteria on substantial changes).
• MOT exemption: Many historic vehicles 40+ years old are MOT-exempt if not substantially altered.
• Terminology: “Vintage” (1919–1930) and “pre-war” terms are common among UK enthusiasts.

The UK’s rolling rule means a new cohort qualifies each April, so eligibility advances annually.

Europe and beyond

Many countries adopt similar frameworks, often influenced by international heritage bodies.

• FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens): Defines “historic vehicles” as 30+ years old, preserved and maintained in historically correct condition.
• Germany: “H” (Historisch) plates for vehicles 30+ years old in largely original condition.
• General trend: 30-year thresholds are common across Europe for special registration and insurance categories.

While details differ, a 30- to 40-year benchmark is typical internationally for historic status.

Practical Tips for Saying It Right

If you want to sound accurate without going down a rabbit hole, these guidelines cover most situations.

• General conversation: “Classic car” is widely understood and safe.
• Very early cars: “Vintage” (1919–1930) or “Brass Era” (pre-1915), especially in UK/club contexts.
• 1960s–1970s American performance: “Muscle car” (or “pony car” for Mustang/Camaro-size coupes).
• Modified pre-war or early post-war: “Hot rod” (performance) or “custom” (styling).
• 1980s–1990s collectibles: “Youngtimer” or “Rad-era,” increasingly accepted by media and insurers.
• Classic looks with modern tech: “Restomod.”

When in doubt, ask the owner—many take pride in the precise term that fits their car’s heritage.

Trends Shaping “Old School” in 2024–2025

Collector tastes and policies evolve, and language evolves with them.

• Growing interest in 1980s–1990s “youngtimers,” from analog BMW M cars to Japanese icons like the Nissan Skyline and Toyota Supra.
• Restomod boom, including EV conversions of classics, balancing drivability with heritage.
• Post-pandemic market: Prices for many segments have cooled from 2021–2022 peaks, while rare, well-documented examples remain strong.
• Regulatory pressure: Low-emission zones push older cars toward limited-use, event-based enjoyment in many cities.
• Sustainable fuels: Rising attention to synthetic fuels and biofuels that could keep historic vehicles road-viable.

These shifts elevate newer eras into the “classic” conversation and broaden what “old school” can mean to different audiences.

Summary

People often call them classic cars, but “old school” can mean antique, vintage, pre-war, muscle, hot rod, youngtimer, and more, depending on age, style, and where you are. For everyday use, “classic car” works well; for precision, match the term to era or style and be aware that official definitions—25, 30, or 40 years—govern registration and insurance in many regions.

What are 25 year old cars called?

A 25-year-old car can be called a classic car by some definitions, as many organizations consider vehicles 20 years or older to be in this category. However, some might also call it a vintage car, as a car that is at least 25 years old also fits this description in some classifications. The exact term can vary depending on the collector’s community and the specific criteria they follow. 
Terms for Older Cars 

• Classic Car: A car that is at least 20 years old but not yet 45 years old.
• Vintage Car: Defined by some as being 25 years or older.
• Antique Car: A vehicle that is at least 45 years old.

Why the Terms Matter
These distinctions are important for collectors and hobbyists for various reasons, including:

• Insurance purposes: Policies for classic and antique cars often differ from those for modern vehicles. 
• Car shows and clubs: Specific categories are used to organize and judge vehicles at events. 
• Registration and taxes: Some regions offer special plates or tax benefits for cars that meet certain age criteria. 

What is a vintage car in Australia?

The general consensus among Australian classic car clubs is that classic cars are vehicles built before 1990, in the following five categories. Veteran: manufactured prior to 1918. Vintage: manufactured between 1919 and 1930. Post Vintage: manufactured between 1931 and 1949.

What are old school cars called?

Old car names include brands like Chevrolet, Ford, Cadillac, Volkswagen Beetle, Morris, and Alfa Romeo, as well as iconic models such as the Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, and Chevrolet Camaro. Other examples of vintage car names from various countries are Tatra, Jaguar, Triumph, and Rolls-Royce. 
Iconic Classic Models: 

• 1969 Dodge Charger
• 1967 Ford Mustang
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
• Ford Galaxie
• Volkswagen Beetle
• Chevrolet Corvette
• Austin Seven
• Sunbeam Alpine

Classic Brands: 
Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Austin, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Morris, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Triumph, Tatra, Tatra, Tatra, Tatra, Tatra, Tatra, and TVR.

What is the old car called the thing?

In 1969, Volkswagen introduced the Thing, a vehicle that defied conventional classification. It combined a military vehicle’s robustness with a civilian car’s charm. The Type 181 was initially designed for the German army but quickly found popularity among civilians for its rugged build and open-air driving experience.