let me be start the "cavaliers ARE classics" argument

1-they've discontinued production
2-the 80's models are RARE
3-they have a following

and 4-i have one. :smokin:

I would conisder any models before the last body style a classic

Some of the newer ones are still readily availble.

Just because something is rare doesnt make it a classic, Lamborghini Diablo's are rare, but they aren't classics.... however the age of a car will help determine if its a classic or not. By my opinion a car should be anywhere from 20 to 25 years old to even be considered close to a classic. I own a 1984 Chevrolet Caprice Classic (just because part of it's name is classic doesn't make it a classic:p ) in great shape as you can see below.
http://www.freewebs.com/petea/cleancaprice.JPG
The Caprce Classic was discontinued 10 years ago in 1996 and today rear wheel drive cars with solid chassis's powered by carbureted V8's are steadily declining in population. Your Cavalier is a unibodied front wheel drive car as are 90 percent of cars on the road today. Thats jut my 2 cents... now do what we're all here to do and criticize the hell out of it :iceslolan

The word "classic" has different meanings as there are people. In NY where I live, a vehicle is considered a "classic" by the DMV and eligible for historical plates if it is 25 years or older,( although I can't see a 1981 Chevy Citation or 1981 Ford Escort driving around with historical plates just yet.) There are certain criteria one can use to determine if a vehicle could be considered a classic such as age, condition, and rarity (which could also be determined by how many were produced versus how many are still around today.) I live in the heart of the rustbelt and cannot remember the last time I even saw a Citation or pre 90's Escort driving around, let alone a Cavilier made before 1990. To some in my area, that might be good enough to them to consider these vehicles a "classic". Whereas areas in the South and West of the United States might not, as there probably are hundreds of these cars still floating around on the roadways. What makes me feel old is when I check my local paper's classified ads under the section of classic cars for sale and see vehicles for sale from the late '70s to the mid '80s now. I remember these cars as being sold new and all the ads for them, and to now consider them as classics just takes awhile getting used to. What also might be a determination if a car could be considered a "classic" is what type of cult following it has. I know certain vehicles have their fans, and if enough of these cars are still around in the future in good shape, and there are enough interested owners, that could also be a reason to consider it a "classic". The Corvair comes to mind as in my area there is a club of Corvair owners, and although these cars had bad reviews, they are still popular.I'm starting to see more interest on the internet of Cavilier owners from all years, maybe that will be enough in the future to brand these cars as "classic", who knows? I kind of miss the mid to late '80s 2 door body style. I used to be sick of them because there was so many, now I don't see them anymore. I always thought if they were full framed RWD cars, they would have made a great car to build up for high performance.

When all the cavs in the world are dead and gone and you have to restore one yourself to see any on the road, I'll call it classic. Not gonna happen.

i need to buy another one so i can keep one as a restoration and the other can have the body kit and the intake and pipes and header and new seats and carpet and painted dash and bangin sound system....

i need to buy another one so i can keep one as a restoration and the other can have the body kit and the intake and pipes and header and new seats and carpet and painted dash and bangin sound system....

Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you. lol

Cavaliers? Somehow I don't think that's what the AF folks had in mind when they started this new "Chevrolet Classics" sub forum. :lol:

Like 97 venture pointed out, what constitutes a classic can be defined many ways by different people. According to the Classic Car Club of America only certain models built between 1925 and 1948 are considered "classics". Others would say a vehicle needs to be over 25 years old to be a classic. If I seen an early Cav in mint original condition, I would consider it interesting and unique, (around here anyway) and maybe in a few more years even classic.

Actually the Citation was a rather significant car for GM, launching the move to FWD across most of the line. I remember when they came out. Motor Trend did a big spead on the technology.

As far as the classic argument goes, since there are so many definitions, I don't bash anyone who says their car is a classic.

Well maybe my son's friend with the mid 80's Olds Cutlass wagon.

I'll tell ya what was a classic...

My old 1972 Hornet Wagon with the "genuine" woodgrain siding :rofl: . Ahhh those were the good old days. Good cars, good friends and rock music.

I dont think cavi's are classics just yet. I think as soon as there is an aftermarket/ restoraton parts market for a car thats when it should be in the running to be a classic. I have yet to "Cavalier 1/4 replacement panels" in year-one but who knows. I'm not downing cavaliers but i dont think they are classic material. My cousin has a 87 wagon that his dad bought new and it still runs great.

My wagon had wood panels too and it was a 1990, last year for that tank though.