When the Fédération Internationale des Vehicles Anciens (international federation of historic vehicles)launched World Motoring Heritage Year 2016 under the patronage of UNESCO, one of its first initiatives was a series of awards for the Best Preserved Vehicle at top concours events around the world. Now, however, FIVA is expanding that support to include events that are more aligned with the worldwide FIVA membership.
As FIVA President Patrick Rollet explains, “There are a great many international concours, touring events and rallies that are not as widely known as the likes of Villa d’Este and Pebble Beach, but are every bit as interesting and worthwhile. In 2018, we are keen to help promote not just the very ‘top-end’ occasions, but also to recognize the passionate individuals who take part in events that are less well-known — hoping to encourage a wider spectrum of FIVA members to enjoy these valuable celebrations of historic vehicles.
“We have therefore put together a list of 10 events around the world in 2018, at which FIVA will be presenting its prestigious Best Preserved Vehicle award — recognizing vehicles that, in FIVA’s opinion, retain such a high degree of their original components, materials and finishes that they can be seen as important cultural artifacts. While we retain two events from earlier years — the world-renowned Villa d’Este Concours d’Elégance and the spectacular Ibbenbürener Motorrad-Veteranen-Rallye for motorcycles— the other eight are events new to FIVA’s Best Preserved Vehicle awards. We look forward hugely to attending these events, and getting to know the organizers, the participants and the historic vehicles that make these gatherings not only highly enjoyable, but also vitally important in protecting, preserving and promoting world motoring heritage.”
Last year at Villa d’Este, FIVA presented its Best Preserved Vehicle award to a 1927 Hispano-Suiza T49 “Weymann” Sport Salon by H.J. Mulliner (above, Petra Sagnak photo courtesy of BMW Group), and will be presenting similar awards at the following 10 events in 2018:
Transappenninica – Italy – May 6-12
Ibbenbürener Motorrad Veteranen Rallye – Germany – May 18-21
Rally Maya Mexico – Mexicao – May 23–June 1
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – Italy – May 25-27
Rallye International du Pays de Foupéres – France – May 25-28
FIVA World Motorcycle Rally – Hungary – June 21-24
Royal Automobile Club 1000 Miles Trial – UK – July 8-13
ADAC Heidelberg Historic – Germany – July 12-14
FIVA World Rally – UK – August 28-September 1
La Festa Mille Miglia – Italy – October 19-23
FIVA is the only global organization of its kind aiming to encourage the safe use of historic, mechanically propelled road vehicles, while remaining equally focused on preserving and promoting the very culture of motoring. Since April 2017, FIVA has been a non-governmental partner of UNESCO, and continues to pursue its successful FIVA World Motoring Heritage Year program. For more complete information please visit www.fiva.org
