How to Go About Naming a Classic Car

How to Go About Naming a Classic Car

Posted by Anderson Restoration Parts on 27th Jan 2023

Ownership of a classic car is meant to be a fun, enjoyable experience, and there are many ways you can go about adding to the fun with your vehicle or fleet of vehicles. One such area that's entertaining for many, but also which some take pretty seriously, is the process of naming a given classic car.

At Andersen Restoration Parts, while we primarily serve classic car owners with a comprehensive range of restoration parts like strut rod kits, suspension kits and many others, we're also here to help with the lighter side of this world as well. Why do many people name their classic cars, and what are some ideas for naming yours if you're unsure which direction to go? Here's everything you should know.

Why Name a Classic Car?

There are a few reasons why many classic car owners opt to give their vehicles a name. Doing so isn't necessary, but it can be a great way to bring your car more personality and make them stand out within the community. It's also an opportunity for you to let your creativity shine and come up with something truly unique that stands out. For those who have kids, this can also be a fun way to involve the whole family in the ownership of your car, turning it into a memorable family experience.

How does one go about deciding on an ideal name for a classic car? Here are some of the approaches you might take.

Use a Prefix

One common approach is to use a prefix that lets people know the type of car you have. For instance, if you own a Chevrolet, then "Chevy" can be used or for Ford models, "Fordy," and so on. You could even look to add an adjective in front of it such as “fast” or “sleek.”

Another type of prefix that's common for classic cars is the realm of "Mr," "Mrs" and "Miss" for both cars and trucks. This could make your vehicle seem more human-like and definitely stands out from the crowd.

Use an Acronym

Down similar lines, if you can come up with an acronym that fits your car and the type of experience you want to have, that can be a great way to name it. Examples here could range from "BOSS" (Big Old Super Sporty) for a Chevy Corvette or "FAST" (Fast And Smooth Thunderbird) for a Ford Thunderbird.

Of course, this is often a great way to personalize the name for your car and to have some fun with it. Think of ways to make the name sentimental, funny or memorable for you.

A Descriptive Name

In other cases, classic car owners choose to name their vehicle based largely on its "personality," if you will. That is, if you own a loud, growling classic like a Mustang, you may opt to call it something like "The Beast," or if it has classic curves, then maybe "Curves" would suit it best.

There are tons of ways to get creative within this approach. For instance, you could even use a pun to make it more memorable, such as calling your car "The Roadrunner" if you own an old Ford Falcon.

Use a Pun Generator

For the dads out there who really want to get silly with their classic car naming experience, you may want to check out the pun generator online. This can help to come up with some really clever names for your vehicle in a matter of seconds. You'll have your family rolling their eyes at you in no time!

Use Scientific Naming

Another goofy approach is to use the “scientific” or Latin designation for your car's model name. For instance, a Chevrolet Bel Air could be called "Chevrolet Impala" after its scientific name, or you could call it something like "Bel-Licious!"

Use a Number

Others choose to use numbers in their classic car naming process, whether that's a number associated with the vehicle like its year or VIN or simply an important number such as your birthday or the date you bought it. This could be something like "Chevrolet 1978" for a 1978 Chevy model or "Sweet Sixteen" if you bought the car on your 16th birthday.

In other cases, you might use a number that speaks to the performance of the vehicle. If your vehicle's top attained speed is 130 MPH, for example, you could call it "130 Express."

Does the Name Matter for Any Specific Purposes?

We're sometimes asked if the name you choose for a classic car has any relevance for other parties, such as your insurance company or auto repair specialist. Simply put: No, not really. While this can be a fun process and can make your car feel more like your own, there's no need to use it for any other purpose.

Naming a classic car can be as easy or as involved as you'd like it to be. Whether you choose something straightforward that lets people know the type of car you have, opt for an acronym or pun-based name, or use a number, it's ultimately up to you. Have fun with it and get creative!

And for more on any area of the classic car world, including our massive selection of high-quality classic car parts that's applicable to dozens of different major brands out there, speak to our dedicated team at Andersen Restoration Parts today. We're standing by to take your call!