Textbook definitions are posted below.

For me personally, I that a large number of bicycles posted or represented are not truly Classic, they may be Vintage by virture of their age, but even that is a stretch over just plain 'old'. Most here seem to consider anything 'pre-brifter' fits the bill. I really don't consider anything that was an assembly line product to be C&V in the true sense or spirit of the definitions. As such, I think I only own a couple real C&V bikes. Even one such as my 1913 Mead Ranger is not really C&V - it IS an antique however !

Anyhow, despite my ramblings, if it is steel and pre-brifter, it will usually be fine here...so post away and have fun....oh, and there is a thread for oldies with new parts and retrofits.


CLASSIC :

[HR][/HR]Origin:
1605–15; (< French classique ) < Latin classicus belonging to a class, belonging to the first or highest class, equivalent to class ( is ) class + -icus -ic

Related forms non·clas·sic, adjective
pre·clas·sic, adjective
qua·si-clas·sic, adjective

Can be confused:   classic, classical.





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Collins
World English Dictionary
[TABLE]
[TR="class: tr1"]
[TD="class: td1, colspan: 2"]classic (ˈklęsɪk) [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr2"]
[TD="class: td2, colspan: 2"]— adj [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]1. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]of the highest class, esp in art or literature [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]2. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]serving as a standard or model of its kind; definitive [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]3. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]adhering to an established set of rules or principles in the arts or sciences: a classic proof [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]4. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]characterized by simplicity, balance, regularity, and purity of form; classical [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]5. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]of lasting interest or significance [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]6. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]continuously in fashion because of its simple and basic style: a classic day dress [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr2"]
[TD="class: td2, colspan: 2"]— n [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]7. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]an author, artist, or work of art of the highest excellence [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]8. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]a creation or work considered as definitive [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"]9. [/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]horse racing [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"][/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]a. any of the five principal races for three-year-old horses in Britain, namely the One Thousand Guineas, Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, Oaks, and Saint Leger [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr3"]
[TD="class: td3n1, width: 1%, align: right"][/TD]
[TD="class: td3n2"]b. a race equivalent to any of these in other countries [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: tr5"]
[TD="class: td5, colspan: 2"][C17: from Latin classicus of the first rank, from classis division, rank, class ] [/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

[h=2]Origin of VINTAGE[/h]Middle English, probably alteration of vendage, from Anglo-French vendage, vendenge, from Latin vindemia grape-gathering, vintage, from vinum wine, grapes + demere to take off, from de- + emere to take — more at wine, redeem First Known Use: 15th century

[h=2][SUP]2[/SUP]vintage[/h]adjective
[h=2]Definition of VINTAGE[/h]1
of wine : of, relating to, or produced in a particular vintage

2
: of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality : classic

3
a : dating from the past : old
b : outmoded, old-fashioned

4
: of the best and most characteristic —used with a proper noun <vintage Shaw: a wise and winning comedy — Time>


Cheers,

Joe