Promote and protect historic motoring by collaborating with the territories, training young people to preserve the unique skills that our craftsmen have and dialogue with the institutions to have national legislation that regulates the circulation of historic vehicles. These are the fundamental concepts on which to write the future of a sector that represents a resource for Italy, given that it generates induced activities of 2.5 billion euros every year, but which is also recognized and appreciated worldwide, like the art or fashion. We talked about it with the president of ASI Alberto Scuro, who was recently re-elected for the four-year period 2023-2026. «Aficionados and owners of vintage vehicles from all over the world are absolutely attracted by the possibility of coming to visit Italy in a historic car. Combining the excellence of twentieth-century technology with that of the territories and their history is something that can only be done by us» is Scuro’s premise, who then goes into detail.
«In the hundred largest vintage car collections in the world, half of them are made up of Italian brands and 60% of Italian cars and vehicles. This is why we have signed an agreement with Anci – the National Association of Italian Municipalities – to promote the territories and villages through historic motoring. “There are employment opportunities for young people: we are trying to organize restoration courses at a national level, it is highly specialized. Our craftsmen have skills that are not found in the rest of the world, which must be handed down and protected”. From here arises a specific practical need: acquire and transmit a good knowledge of the technologies used at the time in which the vehicle was conceived, including the operating principles of its various components, the materials used, the manufacturing methods and the rules and habits of use of the vehicle The car was created to be used and as such it undergoes wear, more or less strong, connected with its use in daily use.
In the event of restoration or restoration, the operator’s competence, professionalism and sensitivity are therefore necessary in saving, reconditioning or, if necessary, redoing, but always with respect for authenticity, form, materials and techniques. In this regard, Scuro underlines that ASI «has a constant relationship with the institutions, which increasingly understand the value of historic motoring, even at an identity level, because it is inextricably linked to the history of our country» and then continues «L attention to the environment is fundamental, but we also need to protect the possibility of circulating these vehicles: in addition to travel for maintenance, there are all the events and so-called slow tourism which has enormous potential. Obviously the differences between historic cars and ‘old’ cars are always to be taken into consideration».
The situation is currently complicated, since each municipality makes its own decisions regarding traffic and for this reason ASI – which has 330 federated clubs and member bodies, over 260,000 registered members and 8,000 active volunteers – underlines the need for a national law that enthusiasts they can follow. In Italy there are over 6 million people who consider themselves passionate about historic motoring and the number of vehicles that have a certification of historical significance is limited and the certifying bodies are those envisaged by the Highway Code: the ASI, the IMF and the Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia historical registers. «We remind you that in Italy vehicles that are over 20 years of age continue to pay road tax up to 30, even if it is facilitated, and the costs for the transfer of ownership are not reflected in the rest of Europe» underlines Scuro, who then concludes «The historic vehicles are to all intents and purposes considered cultural assets and works of art that we have a duty to preserve, enhance and pass on to posterity intact and truthful».
