Which Cars from 1987 Onward deserve Classic status?
When someone says “Classic Car,” most of us picture something from the 1950s or 60s: wide chrome grilles, sculpted fenders, V8 burble, maybe even wire wheels. For many, that’s the era that defined the term. But time moves on, and, even when we don’t spare a moment thoughts on it, cars built in the late 80s, 90s, and even early 2000s are now old enough to qualify for the same status, if they’ve earned it.
Can a car become a classic just because it’s thirty years old, or must it stand for something bigger, a moment in design, engineering, motorsport, or even culture? Or just because it becomes desirable. I believe it’s reasonable to assume not every old car becomes a classic. Some just become old. However, I can’t think of a 1950’s car which wouldn’t count as a classic car, but then again I don’t see a Honda Accord becoming a classic. But probably it’s just me.
Classic vs. “Old” Cars
Before diving into specific brands and models, it’s worth noting how the definition of “classic” isn’t the same everywhere. In the Netherlands, for example, a car built and registered before January 1, 1987 qualifies as a classic car for exemption from motor vehicle tax (MVB). The MOT exemption has also changed: cars 50 years and older are exempt from the mandatory MOT inspection, while vehicles older than 30 but younger than 50 must undergo an inspection every two years. So anything built after that date but old enough to be considered historic is just an old car until it it becomes 50 years old. Then it is an old car with MOT exemption, but you still pay MVB.
It may sound like semantics, but it has very real consequences: road tax, insurance, and even which exemptions a car qualifies for. For example, classic cars that are 40 years or older are automatically exempt from Dutch environmental zones, regardless of the fuel type. But since cars build after January 1, 1987 require a MOT, in the end the more stricter the emission values become, the more cars will fail MOT. In other countries current regulations for classic cars are different, but for how long?
Therefor I think this highlights a bigger issue, as cars age, not all are automatically “classics” due to such regulations. Some just become… old. The trick is figuring out which post-1987 cars are destined for true classic status. The cars that probably endure have three things in common: personality, presence, and parts.. available parts. In the end it could come down to maintaining one when the electronics are obsolete and the parts are nowhere to find. Especially with all these sensors and other electronics in nowadays cars.
What Collectors (and Dreamers) really want
At the heart of it, enthusiasts haven’t changed much since the 1950s. We still crave cars that make us feel something, the smell of fuel, the rasp of an engine that wants to be driven, the shape that looks right even when parked. Some like them fast, loud, and unapologetically impractical, others prefer the looks and practicality – even today. Nevertheless, we chase moments.
And that’s why the cars that become desirable classics aren’t necessarily the most expensive or advanced. They have a fanbase.
Provenance matters: The story behind the Car
One thing that often separates a good car from a great classic is its story. Most vintage cars came with a build card, a document listing the car’s original specifications, factory options, and sometimes even where and when it was delivered. It’s the car’s birth certificate. Collectors love this kind of documentation. A complete history file like old registration papers, invoices, service records, even sales receipts, adds enormous value. It tells a story of care and authenticity. The difference between a “nice example” and a “truly collectible car” often comes down to how well its past has been preserved on paper.
And that’s something modern cars should take more seriously again. With everything digital and disposable, having a physical record of a car’s life adds this collectors touch that’s often missing in today’s models.
Modern cars already claiming the Title (1987–1999)
Some cars from the late 80s and 90s are already firmly established in classic circles. Try finding a clean E30 M3 for anything resembling affordable money. Or a Mk4 Toyota Supra that hasn’t been turned into a 1,000-hp drag toy. Or what about a Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 or a BMW E30 M3. Meanwhile, most ordinary cars from the same years, think Corolla sedans or Astra hatchbacks, have quietly disappeared, remembered only in family photos. Just old cars I guess. Nobody restores those lovingly in their garage. At least not yet, but who knows, maybe 50 years from now.
The Next Chapter: 2000s and Beyond
Then there are the cars that haven’t quite hit the 30-year mark, but you can see their trajectory already. Rare, celebrated, and their values are rising. In other words: the probable next wave of classics. I’m thinking Porsche Carrera GT (2003-2006), Ford GT (2005-2006), Lexus LFA (2010-2012) or Saab 9-5 YS3G (2010-2012).
Looking Ahead
So, 20 or 30 years from now, what will today’s commuters look back on and wish they’d kept? Hopefully none EV’s and preferably manuals. But if history teaches us anything, it’s this: every era has its future classics, most people just don’t realize they’re driving them until it’s too late (Except for EV’s).
So next time you see a sharp-looking coupe or hear a high-revving engine pass by, take a second look. You might just be looking at tomorrow’s classic.
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