The Swiss Historic Vehicle Days opened on April 27, 2024 in perfect weather conditions. Typically, the delegates' meeting of the SHVF, the Swiss umbrella organization for classic cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles, always takes place on the first day of the Historic Vehicle Days, with the venue being the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne.
In keeping with the good weather, many of the delegates arrived in classic cars, and there was a large number of historic agricultural vehicles in particular.
There is one opinion
Those who attended the delegates' meeting were amazed at the unanimity that prevailed. All business was approved without dissenting votes, be it the continuation of the Swiss Historic Vehicle Days or support for the IGfS. The accounts and budget did not lead to any controversy either, and the actions of those responsible were approved.
Now that the problems with the IT-based processing of FIVA passports have also been resolved and almost 500 could be issued in 2023, there were no more topics that prompted discussion. However, Bernhard Taeschler's statement that Switzerland is number 2 in terms of FIVA passports, beaten only by Cyprus, did raise a smile!
The atmosphere can hardly be compared with the situation nine years ago, when the SHVF association was founded to take over from the two predecessor organizations, which had been at loggerheads. Long forgotten! And yes, because nine years have now passed, those who have been on the board since the beginning, including President Bernhard Taeschler, also had to be replaced, as there is a nine-year term limit.
No surprises in the elections
The previous Board members and the President had carefully prepared this handover and looked for suitable candidates for their successors. Felix Aschwanden will be succeeded by René Gauch, Adam Ferrari by Luigi Meier and Thomas Habegger by Oliver Hunziker.
Bernhard Taeschler finally hands over the presidency to Daniel Geissmann, who is well known in the scene as an active organizer of events such as the Grand Prix Suisse in Bern or the Klausen Race, but also as a representative of the Swiss Museum of Transport.
Anecdotes and memories
Of course, the retiring board members were honored and many an anecdote or memory was recounted in the eulogies. For example, the delegates learned that Bernhard Taeschler once returned to Switzerland in a Peugeot 504 instead of an airplane when his work-related stay in South Africa came to an end and not only drove through the entire African contingent, but also had to change the engine on the way.
Bernhard Taeschler has managed the association wisely over the past nine years and achieved a great deal. Above all, however, he has succeeded in calming the political waves that once led to the founding of the SHVF.
The delegates' meeting was concluded with a joint lunch, after which the visitors then set off for the various Historic Vehicle Days events.
Further information can be found on the SHVF website.
