What is a Postwar Classic?

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It depends on whom you ask. The Classic Car Club of America recognizes only select postwar cars. At the Antique Automobile Club of America, however, there's a rolling 25-year eligibility. Thus, this year the Class of 1989 came of age.

The Hershey meet car show's 1989 debutants were few: just a BMW 325LX and a Jaguar XJS coupe. Over in the Historic Preservation of Original Features class was a Volkswagen Cabriolet. All three looked much as you might see them on the street.
More noteworthy, as members of a dying breed, were some older newer cars. The 1984 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country convertible that heads this page is a faux wood throwback to the T&Cs of 1941 to 1950. Built only from 1983 to 1986 (a T&C wagon appeared in 1980 and lasted through 1988), these revival woodies deserve preservation. Not far from the T&C was a 1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo coupe. The four-cylinder Thunderbird was often derided when new, but this black example, still with its original owner, was built to order with a brilliant red velour interior. The silver 1985 Merkur XR4Ti is a model seen only in the USA. It's a turbocharged German Ford Sierra sold by Mercury dealers. "Merkur" is German for Mercury, a fact lost on most Americans, who never warmed to the concept.

Some will criticize AACA for "diluting the spirit" with all these "new" cars. On the contrary, encouraging their owners to show them proudly will surely help preserve the hobby for younger enthusiasts.

(Text and pictures by Kit Foster)
       

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