VW Heritage caters for classic VW’s, but what exactly constitutes a classic car?  Here is a theory…

Pre 72 the tax exempt crew.It’s safe to say these cars are well into the classic classification now, and they get away with free road tax; bring back the rolling 25 year cut off I say! The difference between the Classic Volkswagens and a lot of other similar aged vehicles is that they are icons as well, its silhouette plastered across the world and their names on everyone’s lips. Unless you are a hot rodder or Harry Potter fan you couldn’t say that about a similar aged Ford!

Would it be fair to say if your vehicle has metal or chrome bumpers it should be classed as a classic?  That takes care of my early Polo, so I’m happy – and it covers series 1 Mk1’s, early ‘Rocco’s, Passats and the like. It’s a similar picture for other marques too, with this rule throwing a blanket over later 70’s MG’s, Mini’s etc. Motion passed.

The Plastic Bumper generation. So in the early 80’s it was a great idea to have everything in plastic – the same cars mentioned above were given a bloated black rubber makeover and offered as a facelift, who would have thought it at the time, that the earlier models would be the ones we all craved.  With the car essentially being the same, it seems only fair they are given a pass into the “classic” club.

Back to our beloved VW’s and a tricky topic, the follow-up to the one before. For the Golf, a more refined although fatter younger brother. The Scirocco having a sister a few years earlier. Both equipped with the 80’s spec black plastic bumpers and a new design, so they don’t just get a free entry, it must be judged on merit. Which is where it gets tough; why are they classics? People want them, fact. The prices are rising and there’s a definite demand for these cars, but with the Golf Mk2 it’s yet to be early is better, and the Scirocco, well the later bodykit model suits the lines so much better. Late comers, could they be classics before the predecessors. If it’s judged on todays favourites then potentially so. The Big Bumper is still king of the car parks, and make a great daily classic (perhaps PAS and electric windows are something to do with it) and the ‘kitted Skyrocket is by far the prettier motorcar. But wait.. not only have these cars got plastic bumpers, they have paint on them too, is that a step to far?

 Tomorrows classics are here. Even with their painted bumpers both examples of the Mk2 Golf and Scirocco are considered classic in our eyes. We must move with the times and realise styles and materials change and not draw an age line in the sand like the frustrating Tax Exemption laws. So whats next in the club? Well according to VW Classic Parts the Corrado is a fully fledged member, and they are reproducing a whole host of parts for it; and by VWs book a Mk3 Golf is of the same status, not to mention the T4 vans. So it would appear classic cars are sneaking up on us, and there’s nothing you can do about it!

Andy