What is a Vintage Car?
The term "Vintage Car" generally refers to any car built after the end of World War I (1919) up until about 1930. The ending date of 1930 is a strict standard among British collectors but 
some American collectors put the end at 1925 in deference to the "Classic Car" era which starts in 1925 as defined by the Classic Car Club of America. Whether you consider a given car a classic or a vintage or a vintage classic , there is no doubt that cars from era between the two World Wars remain among the most prized and collectible cars of all time.
Before the beginning of the vintage era, car ownership was basically confined to the rich, but by the end of the vintage era, improvements in manufacturing had brought the cost of car ownership into a range where most middle class families could afford one. In terms of innovation and the development of automotive technology, the vintage era stands out and this is also why these cars will no doubt remain popular with automotive experts, collectors, and car buffs for years to come.
The Growth of the Car Culture
Many factors in place after World War I combined to create the huge growth in automotive production that took place. The post war economy was booming, paved roads were becoming common, and the cars themselves were becoming less complicated to operate and maintain and thanks to the assembly line, they were becoming affordable to the masses. Cars were in high demand and car companies were popping up like crazy to cash in on the exploding market.
However, this also created a highly competitive situation and consumers became fickle very quickly. By the time the economy fell into the great depression, the number of automobile companies was shrinking and only about ten percent were able to make it into the 1940s. Frankly, many of the smaller companies folded because they couldn't keep up with the innovation and increasing luxury offered by the bigger car makers.
Quality and Durability
It is a testament to the great names like Ford, Chrysler, Daimler, Oldsmobile, etc. that their cars and many others from the vintage era were created with an attention to quality and durability that has kept many of them roadworthy to this day. These were both the luxury cars and the everyday cars of their time and innovations like more powerful and more reliable engines, more comfortable passenger compartments with heating, radios, and even the invention of anti-freeze allowed automobile ownership to spread throughout the world for the first time in history.
While many cars from the vintage classic car era can still be found in road worthy condition, you're much more likely to find them at a car show or in a museum collection than tooling down the road. The private collectors who own these cars often consider them their favorites and reserve them exclusively for exhibition.
Where Can I Find One?
If you'd like to enter the world of vintage classic cars, a wealth of information can be found on the internet and you should seriously consider joining a local collector's club. Whatever you do, make sure you educate yourself so you know what you're getting into.
Checking the auction listings on a regular basis is a great way to become familiar with the market for both fully restored cars and those in various states of restoration as well as for the parts you may need for your own project.
Owning a vintage classic car isn't for everyone, but it also isn't only for the rich. Many of these cars can be found in suburban garages where they are the pride and joy of their owners no matter what their condition.
