Cars From the 1990s Are Classics? Yes, Way!

The 1990s… the era when slap bracelets were at the height of fashion, flip phones hit the mainstream, and dial-up internet made us appreciate the value of patience. It was a time of Y2K fears, Spice Girls mania, and a whole lot of cool cars, trucks, and SUVs.

It can sometimes feel like the 1990s were “just about 10 years ago,” but believe it or not we’ve made 25 trips around the sun since the last year of the 20th century. In the tradition of cars becoming classics at the age of 25 years, 2024 marks the momentous occasion where the entire 1990s decade officially achieves classic status.

Wait, THAT Happened in the ‘90s?

As the warning etched in our passenger side mirror reminds us (objects in mirror are closer than they appear) looking back is not always as clear as moving forward. And in this case, it’s time that feels distorted.

Here are some 1990s fun facts that help cement it as a “classic decade”:

• 1990: People started breathing easier as smoking was banned on domestic airline flights.
• 1991: The US wins the first-ever Women’s FIFA World Cup, beating Norway 2-1.
• 1992: Hagerty pal and fan-favorite car guy Jay Leno becomes the official host of The Tonight Show.
• 1993: Automotive companies are boomingwith General Motors at #1 on the Fortune 500 list of corporations. Ford Motor Company comes in second on the list.
• 1994: MotorTrend car of the year is the Ford Mustang, the first production year of the fourth-generation pony car (and now a collector).
• 1995: Ebay debuts. But with its first sale being a broken laser pointer, it’ll be a while before a car is sold via the online marketplace.
• 1996: The American automobile celebrates its 100th birthday. We don’t think it looks a day over 96.
• 1997: Google.com is registered as a domain name. Can you even remember a time when “google” wasn’t yet a verb?
• 1998: One of the most influential 1990’s pop culture icons, Britney Spears, releases her debut single “…Baby, One More Time.”
• 1999: The average price of gasoline falls under $1 (for the last time in history).

The Most Popular Collector Cars From the 1990s

The vehicles of that era – alongside countless songs, movies, and moments – are now considered classics. And now that we recognize the 1990s as a classic decade, it’s time we give these vehicles the protection they deserve with a collector car policy designed for enthusiasts and the totally radical cars they love.

The most popular ‘90s collector cars:⁺

• Ford Mustang
• Chevrolet Corvette
• Chevrolet Camaro
• Mazda MX-5 Miata
• Jeep Wrangler
• Porsche 911
• Chevrolet C1500
• Pontiac Firebird
• Ford F-150
• BMW Z3

The ‘90s, and the special vehicles from that era, deserve to be honored and protected as part of our cultural heritage. With each passing year, the ’90s fade farther into the distance, but the allure of the modern classic cars remains evergreen.

Get the Protection You and Your Special Car Deserve

If you’re holding on to or recently acquired a special 1990s vehicle, you owe it to yourself to get the coverage your vehicle needs, and you deserve. Unlike standard auto insurance policies, specialty insurance accounts for the higher value, limited use, and collectible nature of ‘90s vehicles. Proper insurance coverage, ensuring that your investment is adequately protected against damage, theft, and its market value, can provide peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy your prized collector car.

With insurance costs rising across the board, now’s a great time to see if your special, I-only-drive-it-on-nice-days 1990s vehicle is a fit for collector car coverage. The Hartford offers collector car coverage for more vehicles than ever with premiums over 20% lower, on average, than daily driver insurance.*

From the practicality of finding specialty coverage to the reliability of collector car protection, The Hartford offers a unique blend of comprehensive solutions and cost-effective options. Tailored for enthusiasts and the cars they love, a collector car policy is designed to recognize, appreciate, and properly protect your special vehicle.

The Hartford not only provides best-in-class collector car insurance through its partnership with Hagerty, but also the opportunity to join Hagerty Drivers Club® — the ultimate membership community for car lovers. Members enjoy tons of benefits, from emergency roadside assistance to automotive discounts from Griot’s Garage, California Car Cover Co., Coker Tire, Eastwood and more, plus an annual subscription to the award-winning Hagerty Drivers Club magazine, featuring celebrity commentary, DIY and restoration stories, and coverage on a wide range of makes and models.

Hagerty is a registered trademark of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2024 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Hagerty Group, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty, Inc.

*Figure based upon 2022 consumer data collected by Hagerty on single car quotes, with premiums $5000 and under, from several daily driver (or “Everyday”) auto insurance carriers.

+ measured by volume of insured vehicles through Hagerty as of June 2024.