The Difference Between Antique, Vintage, Classic, and Retro.
Antique, vintage, retro, and classic; you have heard all these terms used to label the collector’s rare finds and uniquities. But not all terms are created equal. Is there an actual definition distinguishing the terms?
The current trend in all things recycled, up-cycled, repurposed, and re-loved has resulted in vintage and antique markets popping up all over. The quest for the perfect piece to fit your taste or project takes patience and persistence, but it’s a lot of fun.
In the following article, we will attempt to define these terms and clarify what an avid collector would qualify as genuine vintage.
What It is Not:
First, let’s begin with what vintage is not. Vintage is not antique, classic, retro, or merely old. Let me explain.
The definition of antique states an item must be over 100 years old to be called antique. Other factors causing a piece to qualify as an antique include hand-made parts and lasting durability. Often this classification is used when describing wood furniture, brass or iron fixtures, and fine china.
Cars should be over 40 years old to receive the title antique.
The term classic is most often used to label cars 20-40 years old with as many original or authentic parts as possible. A 1973 Chevrolet Corvette is an excellent example of a classic car.
Retro describes anything mimicking a vintage item; however, the item is newly manufactured. Retro is most often used for clothing trends and toys, plus several other products purposefully made to look old. Clothing styles from the 90s but made today can be called retro.
What is Vintage?
Vintage is defined as an item 20 years old and up to 100 years. These vintage items are usually indicative of a particular time or style. Vintage is a suitable happy medium between an item that is merely old, and an item qualifying as antique.
When a piece is called vintage, the term holds a certain standard or clout, if you will. Not all 20-year-old items are vintage; the article should have a specific value for the buyer. Most buyers search for endless hours for that unique piece. When they find it, it is a real thrill.
Now, a vintage car carries a defined date range. Vintage vehicles saw production between the years of 1919 and 1930, like the Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster. These cars are often found in estate sales or passed from collector to collector, appearing in car shows and competitions. Due to age, these rare finds are uniquely valuable to collectors.
The Value of the Piece.
The value of a piece of salvage can be determined by condition and demand for the article in question. A shopper rummaging through a salvage market should check for the condition and its functionality and usability.
One man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure in the case of vintage markets. With the rise of recycling and up-cycling, it is more popular than ever to scour the aisles of the local salvage market for rare finds and uniquities.
Vintage parts are precious to the person restoring a piece of furniture or the artist creating a sculpture. Some incredible artwork has been created using rare finds from the salvage markets. Collectors will search high and low for the perfect piece to re-purpose and pour love into.
In Conclusion…
A day’s trip to a salvage market like Tampa Bay Salvage is a day filled with rare finds and oddities.
At Tampa Bay Salvage, we call them “uniquities” due to each piece’s unique and antique or vintage value in the market. If you are looking for that perfect set of shutters, or a statement piece of furniture to complete the room, look no further. Frequenting the market at Tampa Bay Salvage, you are sure to find items to delight and captivate the visitors to your home or gallery.
Contact Tampa Bay Salvage today or stop by to peruse the aisles of fun!
