The message from "Dave Plowman (News)" contains these words:
The dates for veteran and vintage are set in stone and PVT only covered the quality end of the market for 30s machinery. The cars I saw, with the possible exception of the boat tailed open car, would never have been regarded as PVT by those who invented the classification.
I don't know when the term Classic Car was coined but it has to be before October 1973 and the first issue of the eponymous magazine.
The cars featured on the front cover of that first issue were an L reg MGB V8 and a MG TC. Other cars warranting mention on the front cover - Elan Plus 2S 130 and XJ12C. TC apart, modern machinery.
Oh yes and their definition of a classic car - "a car from any era that is worth owning and worth driving, be it sports, GT or desirable saloon".
And finally auction prices to make you weep. "A rare T39A Bugatti in original condition reached £15,000; an original short chassis 4.5 litre VdP Bentley went for £12,000 while a shortened blower 4.5 VdP with cycle wings didn't reach a reserve at £14,000 ...".