Sharing space in the garage with two steel Serottas and the steel GT Edge are a steel '06 Allez Comp and an aluminum '06 Allez Elite. Neither of those two Specialized things is even remotely vintage. But they are both fantastic rides and I feel absolutely no shame either owning them or riding them.

C&V can certainly provide some special feeling for some people. Define it any way that you care to and get into it or not. No one else will be affected by whatever decision that you make.
OK, you might get laughed at.

About 10 years ago I mentioned to someone that I had seen Quarterflash play at the Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland "recently". After receiving a quizzical look, I thought about when that had happened. It was 1995. So, I was right, it was recent, as was the incident I am now describing.

Yeah, but did you ever see them when they were called Seafood Mama?

No. That definitely would have been a vintage performance.

Hard to draw the line between "C&V" vs "modern" (assuming those are the only 2 categories).

I have an '84 Univega GT (bought new in '85) . Steel frame, 27" wheels (Schrader), downtube friction shifters. 3x6 Suntour, quill stem, etc. Don't think too many folks will argue it's not C&V.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2bded72eb9.jpg

I also have a 2000 Fuji Newest. Steel frame, 700C (presta), Shimano Tiagra, 3x9, threadless headset, etc. Don't think too many folks will say it's C&V. I don't consider it C&V.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49d83e2175.jpg

So is it age? Is it components? Technology? Something else? A combination?

Maybe the answer is wherever this forum draws the line. In that case there may be 1,000's of answers (opinions).