QUESTION # 483: CLASSIC CAMRY

In honour of the CIAS, we interrupt our regularly scheduled questions. Enjoy.

Dear Useless Men,

At what point does a car become a 'classic'? Is it based on age or popularity? If so, is my 1993 Camry a classic yet? Or do I have to keep pushing it and pretending it's still a real car another year or two?

Classy Annie

Dear Classy Annie,

After doing exhaustive research on this subject I finally feel qualified to provide you with the answers you seek.

The world of classic cars is actually governed by some very simple rules. Classic Car Daily, which is published once every leap year, defines it best:

"A car becomes a classic if it is desired to be collected by classic car collectors and it is more than several years old, which is dependant on the make or model of said car, or if it is of limited availability and is in perfect condition, or is capable of being restored to perfect condition by said purchaser if they have the means and ability to carry out such a restoration, or if said purchaser is willing to forgo such age as to accept the car and live with the consequences of perhaps purchasing a car which may not increase in value beyond said point, which is totally arbitrary and may change without notice."

They have more to say but it stopped making sense at this point, so I'm not going to continue. You can read it for yourself if you wish. It's in the July 2000 edition.

By their definition, your 1993 Camry may or may not be considered a classic at this point. The bigger problem is finding the proper venue to attempt to sell your car to collectors.

You don't have to worry about that either because I have done all that work for you.

There is only one classic car auction place that accepts Camry's. And the bi-century auction happens to be taking place this very year. So, if you want to enter your car in this auction to determine it's value to potential collectors you will have to get it to this place:

Township 26, Section 591, of East Harbor, Blatford, Oregon.

Just follow the signs at the Old General Store, which is located next to the big stop sign.

Then drive or push your car west until you pass Bill's house. He had laundry hanging on his clothesline at the time of this notice so it should be easy to spot unless he took his laundry in. From there, it is just a short jaunt of about 14 miles to the Miller's home and then just 2 more miles north to the Camry Classic Car auction site.

The auction is next week so you better start heading that way soon. Best of luck.

Sincerely,
Another Useless Man


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