The cat is out of the bag - the FIVA Charter of Turin
01/31/2013
So now it's official, the already famous Charter of Turin. Even before the publication of the final version, which is now available in German, English and French, there were red heads during discussions. And people were already interpreting and drawing conclusions about what the charter would enable or prevent. And of course there are potential losers and winners, as always when you start to regulate something more precisely.
But the intention is a good one. If we want to guarantee a future for the historic automobile, if we want to ensure that it will still be possible to drive a vehicle that is perhaps 50 or even 100 years old on public roads in five, ten or fifty years' time, then we need to achieve a credible counterbalance to new laws and regulations that would otherwise perhaps only grant driving licenses to zero-emission and 100% accident-proof vehicles.
The charter is intended to provide the public, legislators and authorities with a guideline for recognizing whether an automobile is a cultural asset and therefore worthy of protection or not. Now, of course, this is where the tricky part of the story begins. Of course, the charter can also be used to interpret when a vehicle is not a cultural asset, when it is no longer worthy of protection and when it may no longer be roadworthy. But we are not there yet, because only the instructions, implementing provisions, etc. that are now to be written will clarify what exactly is the case.
The charter itself provides initial definitions and terms and distinguishes between preservation, conservation and restoration. It emphasizes the importance of vehicle histories, documentation and archives, and in the appendix it makes proposals for a marking system in which parts are marked with letters so that it can later be determined whether it is an exact reconstruction of an original part, a free reproduction or even an addition or extension of the original part. So far so good.
It was a long and intensive process. The "Charter of Turin / FIVA Cultural Commission" working group with members Thomas Kohler, Gundula Tutt, Rainer, Hindrischedt, Mario De Rosa, Alfieri Maserati, Stefan Musfeld & Mark Gessler did not have it easy. Various forces pulled and pushed, there were parallel drafts, repeated new initiatives and finally the pressure to finally come up with something concrete. The charter was published yesterday, having already been ratified on October 27, 2012.
For the sake of simplicity, we are reproducing the full text of the charter in German here. As already mentioned, the originals can be found on the FIVA website in English and French and on the FSVA website in German, for example.
And of course we are looking forward to the discussions, interpretations and refinements. We'll stay on the ball
Charter of Turin
Definitive version, published on January 29, 2013
INTRODUCTION
The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) is the world federation of classic car clubs. It supports and promotes the preservation and responsible use of historic vehicles as an important part of our technical and cultural heritage.
Historic vehicles are important witnesses of history, be it as a means of transportation, in relation to the development and state of the art of their time, and not least through their influence on society.
This charter covers mechanically powered, non-rail-bound land vehicles. A vehicle is considered historic if it meets the criteria of the Charter and the applicable FIVA definitions.
The Charter may also include buildings and artifacts related to historic vehicles and their period of use, such as factories, service stations, roads or race tracks.
Owners of historic vehicles, curators of collections and restorers of historic vehicles have been successfully involved in the rescue, preservation and maintenance of historic vehicles for many years.
This Charter was adopted by FIVA to guide decisions and actions related to historic vehicles. The Turin Charter summarizes the guiding principles for the use, maintenance, conservation, restoration and repair of historic vehicles.
This Charter is based on the UNESCO Venice Charter (1964), the Barcelona Charter (2005, historic watercraft) and the Riga Charter (2003, historic rail vehicles) and is inspired by the spirit of these documents.
CHARTA
Article 1, "Objective"
The aim of this Charter is to preserve the history of vehicles together with their design, technology, function and documented history, as well as the knowledge of their multiple influences on society and their environment.
In order to understand and appreciate historic vehicles and to ensure the necessary knowledge for their preservation and operation, especially on public roads, all available scientific and technical knowledge and institutions working in this field should be involved.
Article 2, "Future"
Preservation, restoration and all related work processes aim at the preservation of historic vehicles, both as technical artifacts and as witnesses of transport history and culture.
It is essential to pass on the specialist knowledge used in this process, as well as the relevant knowledge of materials and methods, to future generations. It is also our aim to preserve the specialized knowledge, expertise and skills relating to the manufacture and operation of historic vehicles.
Article 3, "Maintenance"
Permanent and sustainable care is essential for the survival of historic vehicles.
Active use of historic vehicles, especially on public roads, is important to understand them and to preserve and pass on knowledge of their operation and maintenance to future generations.
Article 4, "Position"
It promotes the preservation of historic vehicles if they are seen as an essential part of public life and as a contribution to our cultural heritage.
The possibility of using them is therefore important and desirable. In connection with their use, however, they should not be modified any further than necessary.
Unavoidable modifications should not impair the historical substance. In principle, they should not alter the contemporary technique and appearance.
Article 5, "Procedure"
The preservation of historic vehicles may require interventions to varying degrees.
Preservation means the care and protection of a vehicle or object from damage and deterioration so that its condition, individual quality and specific memorial value are preserved.
Conservation includes all interventions that secure the vehicle or object and serve to stabilize it without changing its condition and without jeopardizing its historical or material testimonial value in any way. In other words, it exclusively prevents or at least halts further deterioration. Such measures are usually not visible from the outside.
Restoration includes all measures to fill in missing parts or areas with the aim of restoring the object to its former state. Restoration generally goes further than conservation. Restored areas should blend in harmoniously with the existing historical structure, but should be clearly distinguishable from it on closer inspection.
Repair, on the other hand, means the adaptation, repair or replacement of existing or missing components. The aim of the repair is to restore the full functionality of the object and often takes no account of the authentic substance belonging to the vehicle.
Preservation, conservation and restoration are specialized processes. Their aim is to preserve and highlight the technical, aesthetic, functional, social and historical value of a vehicle.
They should always understand and take into account the original appearance and historical basis of the vehicle in question. They should be based on respect for the individual surviving stock and information from authentic documents
Article 6, "History"
Changes made to a historic vehicle during its normal period of use compared to its original condition are evidence of the vehicle's history. These should therefore be preserved.
The restoration of a historic object therefore does not require its appearance and technical features to be restored to the appearance of the original year of construction.
Restoration to the appearance of a specific era should only be carried out after careful examination of historical records and documents and after careful planning.
Components and materials that have been replaced by new ones should be made easily recognizable by simple and permanent markings and distinguished from the historical substance.
FIVA recommends a marking system for such replaced components (see Appendix 1)
Article 7, "Accuracy"
When restoring historic vehicles, preference should be given to the use of historically correct materials and working techniques, unless these can no longer be used for reasons of safety, legislation or availability.
Traditional materials may prove to be inadequate, especially when preserving the historic substance. As in the case of restoration, modern substitute materials and techniques whose suitability and long-term durability have been scientifically proven or tested by practical experience may then be used.
Article 8 "Appearance"
All prescribed alterations that become necessary outside the normal period of use should blend unobtrusively into the original structure and appearance.
Such installations should be reversible. Any significant original parts that have been removed should be retained with the vehicle for possible future re-use and as a reference to its original substance and design.
Article 9, "Planning"
All work on a historic vehicle should be carefully planned and documented in a traceable and appropriate manner.
The relevant records should be kept with the vehicle.
Article 10, "Archives"
All persons, institutions and organizations involved in the preservation, conservation, restoration, repair and operation of historic vehicles should take appropriate precautions for the protection of their records and archives.
Article 11, "Status"
Institutions involved in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge for the preservation and operation of historic vehicles should seek recognition from international and national authorities as cultural preservation institutions.
Collections and archives of documents, plans and other artifacts related to historic vehicles should be preserved as cultural property.
Appendix 1:
Proposals for a marking system
The following letters are used as permanent markers:
- NB = for "newly built"
(copied as exactly as possible in type and material & recreated directly from a proven original template) - FR = for "free reconstruction"
(freely reconstructed, without a direct historical model in form, material and manufacturing technique. However, this part technically fulfills the function of a formerly existing historical component) - CS = for "conservational stabilization"
(a reinforcement of the historical substance added at a later date for conservation purposes)
If possible, it is recommended to add the year of reproduction following such an abbreviation.
The technical data was also incomplete. But at least interested parties were able to take something home to look forward to the series version, which went into production in the summer.
