Trend towards certification and the FIVA ID card - great interest in FSVA technical seminar
In Switzerland, classic cars can be registered as veterans (code 180, for vehicles in "original" condition for at least 30 years), which has numerous advantages, including follow-up inspections only every six years and replacement plates for several vehicles depending on the canton (e.g. 12 vehicles in Zurich). The road traffic authorities (similar to the TÜV in Germany) can request a FIVA Identity Card upon registration to prove the quality and originality of the vehicle.
Over the last few years, the number of FIVA ID Cards issued has increased steadily, from 294 in 2010 to 352 in 2011 and even 455 in 2012. Efficient processing is required to cope with this growing number.
At the FSVA technical seminar on January 12, 2013, over 130 representatives of classic car clubs, interest groups and road traffic authorities from all over Switzerland were given a practical demonstration of how classic cars and motorcycles should be viewed, how the FIVA ID Card application should be completed correctly and what needs to be taken into account.
The responsible FSVA board member, Felix Aschwanden, carefully prepared this important day. There were four specially selected vintage cars and a vintage motorcycle at one of the stations, where the participants could practise using worksheets.
At one of these posts, for example, there was a Ford Sahara from 1947 in a condition that was designed to make people think. Five options could be ticked on a board: 1) Do nothing; 2) Touch up defects, brush; 3) Press out hail marks, problem of sheet thickness; 4) Partial painting, adapt to the rest; 5) Complete painting. Everyone eagerly awaited the result at the final meeting. The clear choice was "2".
The participants were more than satisfied with what they had seen and learned. Some had even arrived by classic car, despite the snow the day before. The Baden vocational college, with its listed building, provided a fitting setting for the event.
