After the founding of the new Swiss classic car association FSVH, but even more so the dissolution of the two previous associations FSVA and Swiss Oldtimers, has been the subject of much discussion in recent months, the further process now appears to be clear.
The aim is still to unite the business of the former FSVA and Swiss Oldtimers in the FSVH and thus to have a joint representative of all the interests of historic vehicle owners. This also includes historic motorcycles and agricultural vehicles.
According to the FSVA, there are more than 100,000 veteran vehicles worthy of preservation in Switzerland, almost half of which, 43,242 vehicles, are registered as "veteran vehicles". These are divided into 28,499 passenger cars, 59 company cars, 1,353 trucks/delivery vans, 1,297 tractors, 11,706 motorcycles and 328 special vehicles.
Following a discussion at the Lucerne Museum of Transport in January 2014, a somewhat slower timetable that was more conducive to the formation of general opinion was agreed and communicated.
At the delegates' meeting of Swiss Oldtimers on March 8, 2014, the amendments to the statutes were adopted, according to which a dissolution and transfer of the association's activities to the FSVH, which was newly founded in 2013, is only realistically possible.
The FSVA has postponed its delegates' meeting to June 21, 2014. However, there are differences within this association regarding the possible dissolution of the FSVA. Ruedi Wenger, Interim President of the FSVH, explains this as follows: "As we know, some of the clubs want to campaign for the continuation of the FSVA and against the FSVH. In my opinion, this opposition is not directed against the idea and implementation of the plan for a single Swiss umbrella organization. Rather, it is about personal differences, because it was quickly communicated that a generational change in the board is also being sought, i.e. younger candidates are desired for the FSVH board, which some well-deserving members of the older generation do not want to accept."
Supporters of the continuation of the FSVA are also actively communicating and have documented their arguments on a specially created website.
It remains to be seen which FSVA "camp" will prevail in June.
Following the planned merger of the FSVA and Swiss Oldtimers businesses, every club is free to apply for membership of the FSVH. According to the FSVH, 40 FSVA and Swiss Oldtimers clubs have already signed up to the new umbrella organization.
The first FSVH delegates' meeting will be held in fall 2014 at the earliest. The time until then will be used to prepare the entire organizational structure with working concepts for the board, the secretariat and the planned advisory board. The result of the preparatory work, a budget and the confirmation of the new memberships as well as the election of the newly nominated Board members will then be presented to the first Delegates' Assembly of the FSVH for approval.
For further information, please refer to the websites of the associations: