Visitors to the ClassicCars.com Journal who voted in our most recent weekly poll think the Goodguys should have left well enough alone when it came to determining what’s a classic and what’s not.
For the 2018 season, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association updated its vehicle eligibility standards. It used to turn away any vehicle newer than those produced in or before 1972. Now it accepts vehicles through the 1987 model year.
In our poll, more than 45 percent of those voting preferred the former restrictions.
On the other hand, more than 27 percent said such shows should be open to any vehicle.
You can see the results of the voting in the chart. You also can vote on our new poll (in the right-hand column of the home page).
Being old school now (started driving legally in 1965) I can say that I agree that true classics/muscle cars basically ended with the oil embargoes and detuning of Detroit at 1971-1972. My own first car was a 69 GTO and I have had a 76 Trans am/ then an 86 SS monte / 84 corvette/95 trans am rag top and now a true low mileage (Alberta car) "loaded" 1969 GTO. Sorry folks, but when I visit the car shows, folks of my era (Baby Boomers) are stuck on 1955 thru 1972 stuff
Currently, my ‘newest’ classic/muscle car is a 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Edition. I also have 57 and 61 Chrysler letter Cars. I got my license in 1970, and grew up despising what happened to cars in the late 70’s and 80’s, but have to admit we are really in the age of the muscle car right now. Almost every manufacturer has a 400+ hp offering (even Hyundai!). My 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T (that I turned into a 2007 Chrysler 300C Heritage Edition Station Wagon) will outperform any/all of my beloved Letter Cars of the 50’s/60’s, and that R/T with 340 HP 5.7 Hemi is certainly no match for a Hellcat, let alone a Demon. 700+ HP off the showroom floor? Really? I think in 25 years there will be more people interested in seeing a 28 year old Hellcat than an 80 year old 1957 Chrysler 300C with 392 Hemi and dual quads. Quite a quandary, as a still love my letter cars, but today’s go-fast muscle is truly amazing.
Anything new enough to have an ECM in it should not be considered a classic….
Being of a younger generation, now 41 years old, I like to see newer vehicles at car shows. Whether these shows are local or national, I like to see newer vehicles there, because it’s cars of the mid-70’s- early 90’s that I remember the best from the years that I was growing up and learning how to drive. Time is moving on and the automotive hobby must keep up. If the hobby does not keep up with the advancement of time it will die off. Personally I support a rolling 25-year cut off rule. Anything 25 years or older may compete at these shows. Currently that would be all vehicles 1993 and older. Yes, that would permit some vehicles that I’m not a fan of either. If there’s a car displayed that you don’t want to see, keep walking!
Several years ago I had the opportunity to locate and purchase the same vehicle that I had in high school, my dad’s old 1986 Ford Ranger pick-up that was sold off in 1997; and I am currently in the process of restoring it. I’m proud of my little Ranger but I realize it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. If you choose to keep walking past it at a show, I will not be offended in the least.
I think all classic car events should accept cars and trucks as the classic license plates consider them as classics as old as 25 years old. I own eleven classic cars and trucks myself and the oldest is a 1951 and the newest is an 1987. If I want to see the newer cars and trucks, I will simply go look out on the streets.
I m done with the good guys all they care about IMO are the racers Never missed Columbus but was fed up with having to cross the road to park as a participant NSRA has become so desporite for money 30 year and older is now a street rod . What a joke. Make rules and stick to them!