Just Can't Wrap My Brain Around it...

[KW5413]

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The 1998 Model Year is now considered "CLASSIC" in most states. Who'd a thunk it?

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FA0721-48...verado-pickup/



https://www.flickr.com/photos/164173524@N07/46620107531

[67 twins]

Well it is a 25 year old truck now and that is when most states consider a vehicle a classic.

[Accelo]

For most of my life I have driven Chevy and GMC trucks. Most of them the 1967-72. Always liked them. My daily driver is a 2000 Silverado. Guess I have a couple years yet before it's a classic. I paid $7200 for it and get offers for $12000 all the time. What else can you drive with that little depreciation? (Short wide no extended cab.) Easy enough to work on and the worst issue may be the plastic in the dash. I have owned it for 20 years and not tired of it yet.
Cheers.

[FleetsidePaul]

25 years doesn't make it a classic. It just makes it old. It's only a classic if you're trying to sell it.

[tutone]

Originally Posted by KW5413

.

The 1998 Model Year is now considered "CLASSIC" in most states. Who'd a thunk it?

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FA0721-48...verado-pickup/



https://www.flickr.com/photos/164173524@N07/46620107531

I agree. I bought my RCSB 20 years ago with 31k miles and paid 11,500 for it. It was 5 years old, looked great, drove nice, and did everything I wanted. I was looking at new pickups at the time, but hated the cat-eyes. I loved it so much that I still have it. It is a great truck, and I cannot bring myself to get rid of it. The 88-98 trucks were a good run.

[special-K]

'72s were considered classic by the '80s. When I ordered my '92 K3500 I got options to build it as close to how I would have ordered a '72. IMO it was classic from day-1. It was 505 green (from fleet selection/not offered otherwise) with gloss black fender flares, 5spd manual, 4.10s, tach, bucket seats, stainless towing mirrors, cab lights, bumper guards, sliding rear window.



Classic isn't about age, it's about ageless. Antique is 25 years in vehicles. Historic is age as well, but can also mean a major change that will be looked back upon as influencing the path ahead. 88-98s fit all three.

Looking at the 88-98s now I see them as a world apart from what came after. The last of when a bumper was a bumper, a piece of heavy steel across the front. And a computer only managed some of the engine and trans, unless a manual. The body was just shaped more modern than earlier trucks. But that was a practical move in a world with new demands. They don't even make 8-lug Suburbans anymore. My '95 8-lugger is 28 years old. In '72 that would have been a '44. My '72 was 23 years old in '95, not eligible for historic plates yet. '95 was last year for HEI, same ignition as a '75.

88-98s are when the extended cab came about and changed the market from just for truck guys to a family vehicle. Regular cabs were still plentiful, extended and crew cabs took over during this ten year period and it kept getting worse beyond until what we knew as a pickup has changed. It's hard to find a normal cab in the newer trucks to the point they are almost non-existent. In '92 I couldn't find a regular cab 8-lug no nonsense truck on a lot. It was all short bed ext cab alloy wheel 2-tone with all the comforts.

[Palf70Step]

Not long ago I caught myself in a senior moment. Looking at someone's 74 Mustang II and thinking yeah, grad year not long ago.....then.....oh yeah

[57taskforce]

I’ve been pondering selling my loaded 98 K2500 eclb for a few years. Original 454,4L80E. It hasn’t been down the road in two years. I just done use it. Lately I’ve been thinking it needs to come back to life. I’m gonna keep it and do a few things to it. It was my dads truck, he bought it as the second owner in ‘04 with about 100K on it for for $10K. I’m looking for a 78-79 ford front 60 currently.

[truckster]

Yep, I'll be registering my '95 Z/28 convertible as a classic vehicle this summer. No more yearly emissions tests!

[davischevy]

I was telling my wife this last week. I frame off restored my first 72 Cheyenne Super when it was 16 years old.

I have a 2004 Silverado SS that will be 20 years old in September and I still consider it my late model.

BTW, Arkansas passed a new law a couple of years ago making the antique license available at 50 years old.

[67C10Step]

I have very often regretted trading my 92 regular cab Chevy Sport in 1996. It was bucket seats, 5 speed, white exterior and gray interior, had 57,000 miles on it. Chalk that one up to being young and dumb.

[Richard]

My 94 I bought new is 28 years old and my current 72 I am building purchased in 08 is 50 years old. I am a classic as well. Time stops for no man. I think I get what you are thinking every time I look in mirror every morning. After the 95 trucks I have a hard time liking the newer trucks. Probably never buy a new Chevy as I am a "classic"

[special-K]

Originally Posted by KW5413

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The 1998 Model Year is now considered "CLASSIC" in most states. Who'd a thunk it?

My state doesn't use "classic" as a classification. I think that is an improper use of the word because it doesn't define age. A woman with "classic beauty" doesn't mean she's old. Classic good looks, etc, is not a reference to age. Classic actually means ageless, never go out of style, stands the test of time. My state uses "historic" and other states use "antique", which are proper terms that refer specifically to age. Although historic can also refer to a major current event that will stand out through the ages.

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by special-K

My state doesn't use "classic" as a classification. I think that is an improper use of the word because it doesn't define age. A woman with "classic beauty" doesn't mean she's old. Classic good looks, etc, is not a reference to age. Classic actually means ageless, never go out of style, stands the test of time. My state uses "historic" and other states use "antique", which are proper terms that refer specifically to age. Although historic can also refer to a major current event that will stand out through the ages.

CA doesn't have classic tags either. But it does have "Specialty' which I guess is for hot rods and dune buggy's etc. I'm going to try to get that for my Jag since it has the 350 and no smog. I'll still have to take it to a referee and get a waiver for the smog checks. I'm driving it with no plates right now. Just an insurance card and DMV paperwork showing that I'm trying to get it tagged. Haven't got pulled over..... Yet.

A while back I saw a Saturn with historic plates on it.

[special-K]

Hey, Saturns are no more, and for a good many years now. What, like 15 years since GM shut it down? That adds to the historic value, like Covairs AACA voted in as antique way before 25 years because they ceased to exist and were so different.

I remember in '65 my one friend's older brother had a brand new '65 Impala SS and a guy I played Little League baseball with had a brother with a '65 GTO. We looked back on '55 Chevys as old cars. You didn't see them in driveways except young guys hopping them up. Only 10 years old, and a 20 year old Chevy was ancient. Not to be seen running around. My '95 Suburban is 28 years old.

Maryland also has Street Rod tags. I'm not sure why, because Historic Registration doesn't require the vehicle to be original or unmodified. The Street Rod criteria calls for a minimum of 18 modifications. I guess they're thinking of T-Buckets and such. But I have counted more than that on some of my 67-72s. I saw a full race '57 Chevy pro-mod in the Safeway parking lot with street rod tags. Tube chassis, 1pc composite body, airbrushes lights, center seat, slicks, chute, wheelie bars, plexiglass windows. Pretty unbelievable. Nothing on it from an actual '57 Chevy. Not sure how he managed it, even if he used a '57 VIN-plate that would have obviously been removed and attached to this newly built car

[LS short box]

My 98 Wrangler is in the classic category. In MN I can get classic car plates that are a one time charge. But you are limited on usage.

[truckin 79]

I was thinking how Chevy Trucks have always looked better then their Ford counterparts. Maybe the early 50s-60's Fords had some nice body lines but after those years Chevy trucks just look better. Maybe a dent side Ford was an okay truck but the rest do not even compare to Chevy. Now Chevy trucks are classics and Ford trucks are just old IMO

[special-K]

Originally Posted by LS short box

My 98 Wrangler is in the classic category. In MN I can get classic car plates that are a one time charge. But you are limited on usage.

Maryland began issuing permanent historic tags for vehicles at 50 years a while back, so now back to '73, which seems appropriate. This truly is an old vehicle. They also went to 20 year for historic, which I don't understand. I think it was in advance of them cracking down on improper usage, like a lure for crap box drivers skirting around emissions testing in Corollas. In the newer end of historic registration, I see some as valid and some not. GM Trucks? Sure thing. They all are special interest evidenced by the strong following and presence at shows, even before age 25. Nissan Sentra or Ford Taurus? Not so much. But anything over 25? It's qualified the same as a '73 became in '98.

Originally Posted by truckin 79

I was thinking how Chevy Trucks have always looked better then their Ford counterparts. Maybe the early 50s-60's Fords had some nice body lines but after those years Chevy trucks just look better. Maybe a dent side Ford was an okay truck but the rest do not even compare to Chevy. Now Chevy trucks are classics and Ford trucks are just old IMO

MOA (My Opinion Agrees ). I always said, People love their Fords new, Chevy guys just love them forever. I have always noticed more Chevy owners hanging onto their trucks like forever as opposed to Ford guys re-ing up every so many years (once the screwed up parts situation comes into play). "You sold me the wrong part". "That's what the book calls for". "Well it doesn't fit!". I've been waiting at the parts counter and heard that so many times I can't even count. Chevy made a 350. Ford made a 352, 351 C, 351W, and a 351M in the same time period. Nothing like a good solid design, ey? Ever seen a Ford with a Chevy motor? Like hundreds? Ever seen a Chevy with a Ford motor? Yeah, maybe a couple. Fords are damn good trucks. GMs are great trucks! Ford had a better idea. Chevy had the best idea

[Accelo]

Today picked up my Classic Plates for my 70-C10 here in WA State. I had to sign a release form. Outlined what the definition of a classic and when it was legal to drive it. I have several "Classics" with the corresponding plates. First time I have had to sign the release form.

[tutone]

Originally Posted by Accelo

Today picked up my Classic Plates for my 70-C10 here in WA State. I had to sign a release form. Outlined what the definition of a classic and when it was legal to drive it. I have several "Classics" with the corresponding plates. First time I have had to sign the release form.

Call me a pessimest, but there could only be a couple of reasons for the release form. Either, your state is trying to limit their liability from lawsuits with ins companies , from the public driving on classic tags on occasions that do not fit the "criteria" stated in the agreement, or they are fixing to enforce the limited use policy.
On of my car guy friends is a career deputy sherrif here in KY and he promises to tell me when the atmospere is changing. Already, neighboring states arent as leniant as ours, so I am down to one set on the 55. It is all about money.

[Accelo]

What I forgot to add is they cost me just over $200. Guess it's not that bad if it's only once.

[Richard]

Classic is just a word. Definition can be defined as wanted in the current standards. Nothing is as it used to be.

[Palf70Step]

[special-K]

There is a term "Instant Classic" which refers to a new vehicle that starts off as a special interest collectible vehicle. Look at the '60s Stingrays with extremely low miles, dealer paper mats, and window sticker. That buyer bought that car to stash not drive. They were "classic" from day 1. They became "historic" at 25 years of age. It's still hard to see something so sporty and fast as "antique". They just aren't antiquey in my eyes. That would be a Model T or earlier (in my perception). It means to me a vehicle you can't drive on every hiway, just too slow and lacking in safety equipment.

When I had my '63 Riviera, which I bought in '83, I couldn't register it or insure it as historic, yet those were already seen as classics. They were also historic because they were created to knock the Thunderbird on it's tail and that's exactly they did. The T-Bird started the personal luxury segment (after Corvette knocked them on their sports car tails), but Riviera made the segment take off and stick around. They were also the first of the "Pepsi Bottle" body design that came to dominate the late-60s/early-70s muscle cars. The '63 Riviera was a breakthrough design, yet I couldn't get historic insurance, register it historic, and back then it was too old to get full coverage on. And even as a young married couple we didn't use it as our daily driver, neither took it to work, but we did use it as we pleased, which was always about enjoying every mile in it.

We would drive it to the beach or hundreds of miles away to see Montpelier and Charlottesville. Or just a Sunday drive around the countryside. That is how we chose to enjoy our historic pleasure vehicle. I'm not into car clubs, showing my classics, or being in a parade. I chose how I enjoy my classics as I have as a true classic vehicle enthusiast for nearly 50 years. I have always chosen to drive vehicles of historic or close to that age and not buy new vehicles. Some for daily use and some as special interest pleasure craft.

My '71 Cheyenne Custom Camper I bought to use as a camper. No camper is a daily driver, all are occasional use pleasure craft-only. The pickup can be more with the camper slid off, and mine was. With the camper off it was my cruiser hot truck. But my other '71s were for work-only. I also had a '71 Blazer that was only for occasional fun use, either hitting the woods or mud for some 4 wheeling or taking the family to the beach or camping.

There are many non-daily uses by enthusiasts who are not trying to buck the system. In a free country it wouldn't seem limiting to a list of specified uses would be constitutional. But insurance companies are a strong influence in running this country since it's degenerated to all about the money over freedom. If someone is abusing the privilege of historic registration there is a thing called enforcement and we all have law enforcement on patrol for upholding laws when a citizen fails to.

In my state the guidelines give specific uses, such as shows and parades, as "examples" of use. They also give specific no-nos, such as drive to school or work, no commercial use, and not regular use for transport of passengers. But the guidelines also say, "Not for regular use", which we all know means not as a daily driver. But that is the grey area which allows for my preferred uses, from time to time, that do not define regular use.

[Boog]

Department of motor vehicles rules still vary among states I imagine. They used to. Way back in the early 70s at the DMV, I inquired about a special license tag for one of my vehicles. The woman reached behind her and grabbed a really thick binder and dropped it on the counter in front of me and said this here will tell you everything you want to know about specialty plates, what was available and requirements for each. It didn't take me but a little bit to see my daily driver did not qualify for any specialty plate, no matter how old or unique it was. We'd all like to stand out from a crowd sometimes but not always.
My last employer drove a nice black Mercedes with his name on the plate. He also had a big foot and one day it dawned on him how bad his fast driving habit with his name prominently displayed on his shiny black luxury car might look for the company. He didn't slow down but he did remove his name from the license plate.

As for me, I don't need a plate stating my vehicle is this or that and most anyone who appreciates older vehicles knows one is old and or historic.
Our vehicles:

69 Chevy trk ________"the 69", old truck
91 Chevy sportside____"Ruby" sporty truck
06 GMC crewcab 4wd__"the General" all around rig
09 Yukon____________"silver bullet" the wife's so...