Vintage cars, also known as classic cars, generally refer to automobiles manufactured before 1939 or even older.

They are nostalgic artifacts, vehicles that were once used by people in the past and can still function today.

The term "vintage car" originated in 1973 from the British magazine "Celebrities and Vintage Cars".

Although its literal translation should be "classic old car", the term "vintage car" quickly gained recognition among vintage car enthusiasts due to its strong personification, and rapidly spread worldwide as the unified term for old-fashioned automobiles.

However, there is still no universally recognized standard definition for vintage cars, and automotive historians and enthusiasts continue to debate.

The Vintage Car Club of America categorizes its preferred brands or models (such as those produced between 1925 and 1948) as fully classic cars, defined as "exceptional automobiles with superior design, high craftsmanship standards, and production quality", with a preference for American brands and a regret for the lack of European products.

Not every old car qualifies as a vintage car; well-maintenance is an important prerequisite. In the market, there are not many cars with classic designs, just as most cars today are low-cost, mass-produced four-door family cars, merely serving as transportation tools.

Vintage cars have exclusive events, such as the vintage car event held in Melbourne, Australia, on National Day every year. Enthusiasts drive their well-maintained cars to the event to participate in displays and exchange maintenance experiences. Thus, Australia is also one of the major gathering places for vintage car enthusiasts.

Apart from events, there are also corresponding well-known competitions. The most authoritative one is the Mille Miglia race held annually since 1977 in Italy. Besides being a competition among opponents and vehicles, it is also a covert competition among major automotive brands.

Participants from around the world need to circumnavigate nine towns including Brescia in northern Italy, pass through the Republic of San Marino, and arrive in Rome, with a total race distance of about 1600 kilometers in one day, hence the name Coppa Mille Miglia.

However, it is no longer just a speed race but has evolved over the years into a classic carnival that commemorates history, speed, and elegance.

What truly swept the world with the vintage car trend was the Beijing to Paris World Vintage Car Rally organized by British gentleman Philip Young in 1997. Ninety-two vintage cars from over 20 countries and regions participated in this event.

A relatively large-scale event is the London to Brighton vintage car race held in London on the first Sunday of November every year. In 2003, it attracted participants from dozens of countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, with a total of over 500 vintage cars exhibited. However, the participants are not aiming for competition but rather to showcase the unique charm of their beloved cars.

In addition to annual offline events, vintage car enthusiasts may also need an online platform for communication, breaking through all barriers of time and space for in-depth exchanges.

Below are some classic vintage cars that have been recorded in history:

1. 1917 Buick Model D-45 Touring Five-Seater

It is the earliest touring car in the world. In 1908, General Motors was formally established, and the Touring series born that year can be considered the foundation of the company.

This Model D-45 Touring Five-Seater, born in 1917, also featured double-row folding leather seats and advanced dual-drum brakes, representing the pinnacle of Buick's early car-making standards.

2. 1927 Auburn 8-88

It appeared in "The Great Gatsby" and featured a side-mounted spare tire design, representing the peak aesthetics of that era.

Although the brand was not very well known, the price was quite high, selling for $1495 per car in that year. However, each minor redesign was very successful, coupled with its astonishing speed, so it sold fairly well and still has a certain surviving quantity to this day.

3. Oldsmobile F-30 Type Two-Seater Coupe

It was born in 1897 and disappeared completely after being acquired by General Motors in 2004. Although the hundred-year-old factory Oldsmobile no longer exists, this vintage car is still highly sought after.

With a maximum horsepower of 62, a 3-speed manual transmission, and rear-mounted dual spare tires, it was considered very commendable at the time. Unfortunately, it encountered a financial crisis in its early years of production and did not sell well in history.