photax
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Post by photax on Jun 4, 2010 10:11:41 GMT -5
Hi !
I have a question concerning the English language: What is the difference between „vintage“ and „classic“. Do these words have different meanings, or are they just equivalent ? Is there a difference between a vintage and a classic camera ( or car ) ? Does my collection consist of antique, vintage or classic cameras ? Or all three ?
Maybe there is somebody who gives me a private English lesson.
MIK
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jun 4, 2010 10:35:49 GMT -5
Yes and no! It is easiest to illustrate with cars
A vintage car was built between 1919 and 1930. A classic can be a car of any age which has some feature that makes it stand out.
A post vintage thoroughbred was a car built later than 1930, but with some of the merits of a vintage car. (For instance I have an MG TD (in bits, mind) which would be in this category.)
The word 'antique' is loose and can mean 25, 50 or 100 years old.
Cars built before 1919 are veterans.
If you fully understand it now let me know, because other than the strict date for a car to be called vintage, most other dates and terms seem to be something of a moveable feast. No doubt others will have slightly different variations on the meanings: that would kind of prove my point.
What I should add is:
A car can be vintage without being called a classic. A car which is a classic can be vintage, but doesn't necessarily have to be.
I hope this all helps.
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photax
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Post by photax on Jun 4, 2010 14:59:54 GMT -5
Dave, have many thanks for your explanations, I think I have understood what you meant. First of all I learned a new word: thoroughbred ( never heard before, had a look in my dictionary ). What does the TD on your MG stand for ? I think the Turbo Diesel had not been invented in 1953.
I guess in German the word “vintage” would have the meaning of “old fashioned”. We have also the “classic” word in our vocabulary, but it describes rather the style of an object. In Austria things ( like cameras ) are either “antique” = expensive, or simply “old” = affordable. I usually buy the old stuff ;D. In German a vintage car is called “Oldtimer” ( from zero hour to the 1960`s). I don’t know if this word even exists in the English language, it is one of the funny words an English speaking person would probably not understand. We also call a cell phone “Handy”. Cars from the 1970`s to the early 1980`s are called “Youngtimer” here…
MIK
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jun 4, 2010 15:57:05 GMT -5
MG TD Midget.
MG = Morris Garages. The boss, and driving force was a man call Cecil Kimber.
The Midgets formed a series of MG cars that were the small cars of the MG marque.
Th first Midget was the M type, built in the late 1920s. This was followed by C,D, J, P, Q and R (some having subtypes).
The T series began with the TA in 1936. The TB was produced in limited numbers( but not as limited as some of the earlier cars). just before the start of WWII. Post war production got under way with the TC. The TD came out in late1949. Mine dates from early 1950 and is a so-called TD Mk. I.
Engine 1250 cc pushrod, twin SU carbs, developing all of 54 bhp pushing round a weight of 22 cwt (just over a ton).
Later came the TF, from 1953-5. There was then a break in Midget production. The next series was after BMC had formed from Morris and MG and Austin (also including such names as Riley an Wolseley). The next MIdget was 1961 - I'm not quite sure of the date that BMC was formed. I think at the tail end of the 1950s. This Midget was virtually the same as the Austin Healey Sprite Mk II. The original Sprite was the 'Frogeye' which dated from 1958 or 9.
To go back to your first question: Vintage specifies a definite age whereas Classic can be from any age. The term thoroughbred is used for racehorses of high quality and the like.
The term oldtimer can be used for anything old - often a person of a certain age in Cowboy films. Youngtimer isn't really used - in Britain at least.
Most of what I have written above will be correct (or nearly so), but don't quote me on it.
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photax
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Post by photax on Jun 4, 2010 17:58:18 GMT -5
Now i know a lot about MG, have many thanks. I knew the "Morris Garage" and a few types. A friend of mine drove a GT about 25 years ago. I remember, that this car would not start if it was raining, i also knew another guy with a E-Type where the lightening went out. Was the english car electronics really that bad ? There was a joke around back then: Why do the British drink warm beer ? Because Lucas make their refrigerators ;D PS.: When i retire in about twenty years, i will become an oldtimer ( the Cowboy style )  Get home before dark ( The Lucas Motto ) MIK |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2010 20:24:12 GMT -5
A Zorki 1 is a vintage camera. A Leica IIIG is a classic camera.
A 1949 Ford might be considered vintage. A 1932 Ford Coupe is a classic.
Sophia Loren is vintage and classic.
Rap music is neither.
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Post by herron on Jun 4, 2010 21:55:29 GMT -5
A Zorki 1 is a vintage camera. A Leica IIIG is a classic camera. A 1949 Ford might be considered vintage. A 1932 Ford Coupe is a classic. Sophia Loren is vintage and classic. Rap music is neither. Agreed. |
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jun 5, 2010 3:58:33 GMT -5
You see, Photax, I said it wasn't easy.
Wayne, your post made me laugh - in the right way that is.
I personally wouldn't call either the the Zorki or the Leica vintage. Any real Leica is a classic though - some more than others. Now we have to define real!
A 1949 car - whatever it is - would never be vintage to me. It is several years too young.
Rap there is good rap and bad rap. Most of it is bad, but there is the occasional track out there that has merit. With the accent on occasional. Very needs putting in somewhere.
Sophia Loren - not bad still for how old?
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Post by herron on Jun 5, 2010 9:30:12 GMT -5
Sophia Loren - not bad still for how old? In September she will be 76. All women should age so nicely. |
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photax
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Post by photax on Jun 5, 2010 11:32:14 GMT -5
Wayne, Although Sofia Loren belongs not to my generation, is she neither vintage, nor classic, she is just gorgeous !  MIK |
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jun 5, 2010 15:14:58 GMT -5
Wayne, Although Sofia Loren belongs not to my generation, is she neither vintage, nor classic, she is just gorgeous ! MIK Because she is more than beautiful - because she is a very talented actress as well, how about AGELESS. Mickey |
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Post by alexkerhead on Jun 7, 2010 20:48:27 GMT -5
Usually in the antique shop I work in we use the term vintage for anything 25yo+ and antique for anything 100yo+. So Mickey would be an antique.  |
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daveh
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Post by daveh on Jun 8, 2010 2:10:12 GMT -5
Photax, as I said initially any term is hard to pin down fully. Wines, of couse, can be vintage from any year, including the current year - the term merely showing when the grapes were grown. Noveau indicates that the wine should be drunk in the year of its vintage.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Jun 8, 2010 4:33:25 GMT -5
Usually in the antique shop I work in we use the term vintage for anything 25yo+ and antique for anything 100yo+. So Mickey would be an antique. Yup. Something rare and precious. Alex, it's good to have you back again. Mickey |
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photax
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Post by photax on Jun 20, 2010 7:22:39 GMT -5
Hi ! Here is my definition, would you agree to it ? Antique:  Vintage:  Classic:  MIK |
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