classic car / old-timer
Loading your saved state.
classic car
An old, well-preserved, and often valuable vehicle, especially a car that is at least 30 years old.
Am Sonntag findet in der Innenstadt ein Treffen für Oldtimer statt.
On Sunday, a classic car meet is taking place in the city center.
old-timer
Colloquial and often humorous for an older, experienced person, especially in a professional context.
Mit seinen 65 Jahren ist er der Oldtimer in der Abteilung, aber seine Erfahrung ist unersetzlich.
At 65, he is the old-timer in the department, but his experience is irreplaceable.
'Oldtimer' is a loanword from English. In German it is used for old, valuable vehicles, a meaning that the English word 'old-timer' (veteran, old hand) does not have in the same way.
Mein Nachbar hat einen wunderschönen Oldtimer in der Garage.
My neighbor has a beautiful classic car in the garage.
In Germany, a vehicle is officially considered an 'Oldtimer' (classic car) if it is at least 30 years old and is in good, original-condition shape. Such cars can receive a special H license plate.
Dieses Auto ist jetzt 30 Jahre alt und kann als Oldtimer zugelassen werden.
This car is now 30 years old and can be registered as a classic car.
Common expressions in connection with vehicles are 'einen Oldtimer fahren' (to drive a classic car), 'einen Oldtimer restaurieren' (to restore a classic car), or 'ein Oldtimer-Treffen besuchen' (to visit a classic car meet).
Er verbringt jedes Wochenende damit, seinen Oldtimer zu restaurieren.
He spends every weekend restoring his classic car.
When a person is referred to as an 'Oldtimer' (old-timer), it is colloquial. It is usually meant humorously or appreciatively and refers to the person's long experience.
Frag den Kollegen Schmidt, er ist der Oldtimer hier und kennt sich am besten aus.
Ask our colleague Schmidt; he's the old-timer here and knows his way around best.
classic
An Oldtimer is a well-preserved vehicle that is at least 30 years old and often valuable. When referring to a car, Klassiker instead emphasizes its recognized or influential status. An old car can therefore be an Oldtimer without being considered a Klassiker, and it can also be both.
Der gut erhaltene Sportwagen von 1965 ist heute ein Oldtimer.
The well-preserved 1965 sports car is now a classic car.
Der Sportwagen gilt wegen seines berühmten Designs als Klassiker.
The sports car is considered a classic because of its famous design.
