When does a tractor become 'Vintage'

[5300JD]

Like the title says, what makes a tractor a vintage machine? I've not seen that defined on any tractor forums. I have a JD 4020, 1967 model year, that makes it 58 years old, is it a vintage machine? Is a tractor an antique? The definition of a vintage automobile is one manufacture between 1919 and 1930 but I find no mention of tractors, are they the same?

Firstly "Vintage" does not mean old, it only means that it was made in a certain year (with wine it is usually a good year). What you you have is a vintage 1967 JD 4020. When it becomes an Antique varies on what it is, in the US it is usually in the 25-50 year range and in places like the UK, it is in the 50 to 100 year range (the Brits have a lot of "really" old stuff).

 

[Hodado]

When I started collecting in the early 70's, anything un-styled or 50 years old was considered antique. Styled tractors, or roughly 30 years old were classics. Then up until the early 60's were considered vintage. Here tractors like your 4020 weren't even considered, they were still working in the fields.

But here we are 50 years later, and I still have a tendency to classify them the same way. Yet, someone 25 years old would consider it an antique.

It will be interesting to see the reply's you get. It's going to be like the ages old question, "What's the best oil to use..." LOL....

I think the 4020 should be considered as a very efficient antique that’s still widely used today

 

[John_Mc]

Why do tractors need a different definition? My wife sells vintage jewelry. Vintage is normally defined as 20-99 years old, and antique 100+.

In the car world, "Classic" is generally considered to be more than 20 years old and up to about 45 years old. Antique picks up where classic leaves off: older than about 45 years. (The break between classic and antique varies depending on who you ask.) Definitions of "Vintage" cars seem to vary: many claim it is a car from between 1919 and 1930, but there are other age/characteristic definitions when the word is applied to cars.

Firstly "Vintage" does not mean old, it only means that it was made in a certain year (with wine it is usually a good year). What you you have is a vintage 1967 JD 4020.

Vintage has more than one meaning.

• When used as a noun, it refers to the specific year in which something was made (i.e. "what vintage is this wine?" or "that is a vintage 1967 JD 4020")
• When used as an adjective, it it is used to describe something that is not new but that is valued because of its good condition, attractive design, etc.

There are other meanings, as well. It is sometimes used to describe something that has the best qualities or characteristics of the things made or done by a particular person, organization, etc. ("The song 'Hound Dog' is vintage Elvis Presley")

By car standards, my 2001 New Holland TC33D is a "classic". However, I have a hard time thinking of it that way. To me, classic also denotes something special. I don't think there is really anything special about this tractor, it just happens to be 24 years old.

 

[1M05]

Vintage Tractors: Typically 25 to 50 years old, often from the 1940s to 1970s.

In 2025 a 25 to 50 year old tractor would be one made in 1975 to 2000.

 

[careyo63]

My 63 ford 62-65 production Yrs. Classic! IMO..

 

[FullMetalBucket]

I think they become vintage as soon as you’re done paying for them

 

[aircommuter]

I don’t think vintage has a finite number. Rather range group. Maybe in today’s tractors it is pre-pollution control which is actually a good era vs a bad one.

 

[airbiscuit]

If the for sale ad says Ran when parked, it's vintage.

 

[lostkayaker]

This is a google answer...

Vintage Tractors: Typically 25 to 50 years old, often from the 1940s to 1970s.

Antique Tractors: Generally over 50 years old, usually built before the 1950s. These are often displayed in shows and are considered historically significant.

This sounds like a Wikipedia page that was last updated in the year 2000. The dates don't match with the ages.

 

[dbritt]

I figure when someone will pay 4 times the price when it was purchased new, it's vintage. When they will pay 8 times what it was new, it's antique. "Vintage" became a word to describe age/value of an item when online auctions became popular. Anything on an auction is described as "vintage" unless it's new. My '68 Ford 3000 diesel pictured in my posts, is now 57 years old. I'm 70. The tractor is worth more now than I am. I guess I'm not even "vintage" yet.