what is a 100 year old car called

[MacIker]

A car that is 100 years old or older is officially classified as an Antique Car. However, within the collector community, the most precise and respected term for a vehicle that has reached its centennial is a Centennial Car or Centennial Automobile. This designation signifies a truly historic artifact from the dawn of the automotive age.

The terminology often depends on the context. For instance, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) defines an antique car as being 25 years or older, but they hold a special reverence for vehicles that are 100 years old or more. These centennial cars are not just old; they are rolling history. Most were produced before 1930, meaning they often feature brass-era styling (with literal brass lamps and radiators) or are veterans of the pre-World War I "horseless carriage" era. Owning and maintaining one is a specialized hobby, as their technology—like magneto ignitions and non-synchromesh manual transmissions—is vastly different from modern vehicles.

Here is a look at some notable centennial-era automobiles, highlighting the technological landscape of the time:

Vehicle Model (Approx. Year)	Key Characteristic	Estimated Power Output	Top Speed (mph)	Historical Significance
Ford Model T (1915)	Mass-produced with a planetary transmission	20 hp	40-45	Democratized automobile ownership
Cadillac Type 51 (1918)	First American car with a V8 engine	70 hp	65	Pioneered powerful, smooth engines
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (1910)	Renowned for its silent, refined operation	48 hp	62-65	Set the standard for luxury motoring
Chevrolet Series 490 (1918)	Direct competitor to the Model T	21 hp	45	Helped establish Chevrolet as a major player
Stutz Bearcat (1916)	Iconic American sports car	60 hp	75+	A symbol of speed and glamour in the era

If you come across a centennial car, it's a fragile piece of history. Their value lies in originality and provenance, so any restoration should be done with extreme care by specialists familiar with period-correct techniques and materials.

[MalachiAnn]

We just call them "brass era" cars in my circle. That's because of all the shiny brass parts—the headlights, the radiator shell. If it's from before 1918 or so, that's the giveaway. They're tall, skinny, and you start them with a crank. It’s a totally different world from even the cars of the 1930s. Driving one is like operating a piece of farm equipment, but it’s the most pure, connected feeling you can have to the road.

[OLiam]

From a legal and insurance standpoint, the term Antique Car is the broadest classification, typically for vehicles over 25 years old. However, a 100-year-old car often falls into a more specific category like "Vintage" or even "Horseless Carriage" in some states, which can come with special registration plates and usage restrictions. For insurance and appraisal, its status as a Centennial Automobile significantly increases its value due to extreme rarity and historical importance, far beyond a standard antique.

[DelChase]

It's a time capsule. Calling it just an "antique" doesn't feel like enough. These machines are centenarians. They were built by hand in an age without computers, when roads were mostly dirt. Every bolt and lever tells a story of innovation and sheer mechanical grit. Seeing one on the road is like watching history come alive. The smell of oil and gasoline, the chugging sound of the engine—it’s a sensory experience you don't get from any book or museum static display.