What Is a 100-Year-Old Car Called?

A 100-year-old car is most commonly called a “vintage” car in the UK and much of Europe, and an “antique” car in the United States; depending on the model, it may also be recognized as a “Full Classic” by certain clubs. The exact term varies by region, law, and enthusiast organizations. In 2025, a 100-year-old example would typically be a 1925 model, which squarely fits the “vintage” category in British/European classifications and is universally old enough to qualify as “antique” or “historic” in U.S. registration and insurance contexts.

Why the terminology varies

Car-age labels evolved from clubs, events, and government rules rather than a single global standard. British motoring culture carved out distinct historical eras (Veteran, Edwardian, Vintage), while U.S. practice tends to lump very old cars into broader categories like “antique” for regulatory and insurance purposes. Specialty clubs add their own criteria, which can elevate certain models into narrower groupings such as “Full Classic.”

Standard classifications and where a 100-year-old car fits

The following overview explains the main classification systems used by enthusiasts, clubs, and governments, and shows how a 1925 car (100 years old in 2025) is typically described in each.

• UK/Europe (FIVA/VSCC conventions): Veteran (up to 1904), Edwardian (1905–1918), Vintage (1919–1930), Post‑Vintage (1931–1945). A 1925 car is “Vintage.” FIVA also treats 30+ years as “historic,” but era labels place 1925 in the Vintage period.
• United Kingdom law (DVLA): The tax class “historic vehicle” is a rolling 40‑year status for qualifying vehicles; a 1925 car is both “historic” (for tax/MOT exemptions) and colloquially “vintage.”
• United States (general usage and AACA): The Antique Automobile Club of America recognizes “antique” as 25+ years old. Insurers and state DMVs often use “antique” or “historic” for 20–30+ years, varying by state. A 1925 car is unquestionably “antique/historic.”
• Classic Car Club of America (CCCA): “Full Classic” refers to select high‑end cars built 1915–1948 on an approved list. Some 1925 models (e.g., Rolls‑Royce Phantom I) qualify; many mass‑market 1925 cars do not.
• Event terminology: The celebrated London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is for pre‑1905 vehicles (“Veteran”), highlighting that “veteran” is an earlier era than 1925; a 1925 car would not be called veteran or Edwardian.

In short, a 1925 car is “Vintage” in British/European era terms and “Antique/Historic” under most U.S. regulatory and insurance frameworks; whether it is a “Full Classic” depends on the specific make and model.

Edge cases and exceptions

Model years, build dates, and modifications can affect how a car is labeled for club eligibility, registration, or events. The following points outline where owners and buyers most often encounter nuance.

• Model-year vs. build date: Some rules go by first registration or build date rather than model year; a late‑1924 build registered in early 1925 could shift categorization in certain programs.
• Originality requirements: Clubs and historic plates may require period‑correct condition; heavily modified cars can lose eligibility even if they meet the age threshold.
• Usage restrictions: Some U.S. “antique/historic” plates limit daily driving, commercial use, or nighttime travel; terms and enforcement vary by state.
• Insurance tiers: Specialty insurers may distinguish “vintage,” “antique,” and “classic” for underwriting, even when state DMVs use only one label.

These exceptions don’t change the age-era label—1925 remains “Vintage” in UK/Europe and “Antique/Historic” in the U.S.—but they can affect how the car is treated in practice.

Examples: how a 1925 car is described

Here are familiar 1925 models and how they’re typically classified across systems.

• Ford Model T (1925): Vintage (UK/Europe); Antique/Historic (U.S.); not a CCCA Full Classic.
• Rolls‑Royce Phantom I (1925): Vintage (UK/Europe); Antique/Historic (U.S.); recognized as a CCCA Full Classic.
• Bentley 3 Litre (1925): Vintage (UK/Europe); Antique/Historic (U.S.); eligibility for specific “classic” lists depends on the organization and specification.

These comparisons show how the same car can carry multiple accurate labels depending on the authority or context.

Practical implications for owners

Terminology affects more than vocabulary—it influences registration, insurance, and event access.

• Registration and taxes: “Historic” classes can reduce fees and testing (e.g., UK 40‑year rolling exemption; various U.S. antique/historic plate programs).
• Insurance: Agreed‑value policies, mileage limits, and storage requirements are common for antique/vintage coverage.
• Event eligibility: Era‑specific rallies, concours classes, and hill climbs often follow the Veteran/Edwardian/Vintage delineations.

Before buying or registering a centenarian car, check your local DMV, insurer, and club rules to align expectations with official definitions.

Bottom line

A 100-year-old car is generally called “vintage” in the UK/Europe and “antique” in the U.S., with some models additionally recognized as “Full Classics.” While the labels can overlap, a 1925 car unambiguously falls into Vintage-era motoring history and easily meets antique/historic thresholds for legal and insurance purposes.

Summary

Call a 100-year-old car “vintage” in British/European era terms and “antique” in U.S. practice; some high-end models may also be “Full Classic” per the CCCA. Definitions vary by club and jurisdiction, so always confirm local rules for registration, insurance, and event eligibility.

What are those old 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 another word for old car?

North American English
In North American slang, jalopy, clunker, heap, rust bucket, bucket of bolts, and simply bucket are also used. So too are beater—a term especially favored in Canada—and the American urban hooptie, which gained some popularity from the humorous song “My Hooptie” by Sir Mix-a-Lot.

What do you call older vehicles?

Classic vehicles might range in age from 10 to 50+ years old, and the term “classic car” may include vintage, antique, and collector vehicles.

What is a very old car called?

Antique: Despite not having a specific legal definition, most classic car collectors and enthusiast groups agree that an antique car is a vehicle that is at least 45 years old.