CLASSIC CAR
The more common usage of the term "Classic Car" fundamentally equates it with the definition of Antique Car (above), thus "popular usage" is that any car over 25 years old can be called a “classic car” (lower case “C”).

However, the "official" definition of a Classic Car (as used in show and judging categories) is generally recognized as the one provided by the Classic Car Club of America:

A CCCA Classic is a "fine" or "distinctive" automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948. They are also sometimes called "Full Classics," or just plain "Classics" (with a capital "C"). Generally, a Classic was high-priced when new and was built in limited quantities. Other factors, including engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and "one-shot" or automatic lubrication systems, help determine whether a car is considered to be a Classic.

This rather exclusive definition of a classic car is by no means universally followed, however, and this is acknowledged by the CCCA. While they maintain that the true definition of a 'Classic car' is theirs, they generally use terms such as CCCA Classic or Full Classic to avoid confusion.

VINTAGE CAR
A Vintage car is commonly defined as a car built between the start of 1919 and the end of 1930. There is little debate about the start date of the Vintage period - the end of World War I. The end date is a matter of a little more debate. The British definition is strict about 1930 being the cut-off, while some American sources prefer 1925 since it is the pre-Classic car period as defined by the Classic Car Club of America. Others see the Classic period as overlapping the Vintage period, especially since the Vintage designation covers all vehicles produced in the period while the official Classic definition does not, only including high-end vehicles of the period. Some consider the start of World War II to be the end date of the Vintage period.

VETERAN CAR
A car constructed before 1919, especially one constructed before 1905.

MUSCLE CAR (generally 1964 thru 1972)
The term "Muscle Car" wasn't even used until the late 1970s. In the 1960s they were sometimes called "Super Cars". A muscle car, by the strictest definition, is an intermediate sized, performance oriented model, powered by a large V8 engine, at an affordable price. Most of these models were based on "regular" production vehicles. If there was a high performance version available, it gets the credit, and not the vehicle that it was based on. Examples: Buick GS, Chevrolet Chevelle SS, Dodge Charger R/T, Ford Torino/Cobra, Plymouth GTX, Plymouth Road Runner, Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac GTO

Full-size Muscle Car:
The strict Muscle Car definition only includes intermediate size vehicles. In reality, performance oriented intermediate size vehicles didn't appear until 1964. Before then, manufacturers took existing full-size vehicles and added extra performance to them. Because of this, the early full-size performance vehicles are generally considered muscle cars. Examples: Chevrolet Impala SS, Ford Galaxie 390 + cid, Dodge Coronet R/T, etc.

Pony Car (generally 1964 thru 1972)
The strict Muscle Car definition also excludes the smaller high performance vehicles that started appearing on the automotive performance scene. These new "Pony Cars" are generally considered muscle cars only if they have the top of the line performance engines and options. Examples: Chevrolet Camaro (SS and Z28 models only), Ford Mustang (GTs and Boss only), Plymouth 'Cudas (no Barracudas), AMC Javelin, etc.

Note 1: Although there were several personal luxury vehicles with performance engines and options, their heavy weight and high sticker prices went against the low cost performance definition of muscle cars. Therefore, they are not generally considered muscle cars. Examples: Buick Riviera, Chrysler 300 Letter Cars, Pontiac Grand Prix, etc.

Note 2:Two seat sports cars such as the Chevrolet Corvette and the Ford Thunderbird are not considered muscle cars due to their high price and specialty nature. The only exception is the AMC AMX as it was relatively cheap, and was based on the AMC Javelin pony car. Examples: AMC AMX, etc.

SPECIAL INTEREST CAR
This category generally includes all eras of collector cars. Special Interest autos are identified as automobiles which have appeal for various reasons of engineering and/or style. Many automobile factory show cars and celebrity cars of all eras fit in this category. No typical styling features can be assigned to this group, but all unique and unusual autos can generally be categorized as "Special Interest."

COLLECTOR CAR
Generally speaking the term collector car refers to any of the above categories. As the collector car market expands, so does the definition of what constitutes a collector car. Today, vehicles from the 1970's that would have been abandoned in are now being rescued and restored. Collectibility (as beauty) is in the eye of the beholder.