The Team in Action

FOUNDATIONAL MANIFESTO

The citizens signing this document, summoned by THE TEAM in view of the worrying measures that some Public Administrations are planning, we consider it appropriate to carry out the following manifestations in defense of the automobile heritage of other times, which we all enjoy and for whose preservation we feel responsible:

1º THE OLD VEHICLE IS A CULTURAL GOOD

Motor vehicles, in just 100 years, have convulsed the environment and the lives of human beings like no other invention. They have been one of the main pillars of industrial activity, thereby providing sustenance to millions of people; the roads built for its circulation have transformed the face of the planet; Its widespread use has been one of the decisive factors in the radical change in mentality that defines the man of our time. For all these reasons, it is very possible that the XNUMXth century will go down in history as the Automotive Century.

From this perspective, the preservation of our fleet of old vehicles constitutes a cultural activity of the first order and a responsibility of our generation to future generations. For this reason, all the countries in our environment have articulated measures to promote this activity and raise public awareness of the value of this heritage. and we are in favor of introducing all these measures in our country.

2º THE OLD VEHICLES REPORT WITH THEIR OCCASIONAL CIRCULATION A CLEAR AND FREE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY

The presence of these vehicles today enriches the urban panorama of any town. They are a sample of the cultural sensitivity of the community that inhabits it, whose free contemplation fills with satisfaction and memories to most of those who are fortunate enough to experience it. And with this we are not referring only to high-class vehicles or those that are linked to the lives of great people; we think preferably of popular vehicles that, having been part of the life of the majority, are now the ones that remain the most in the collective memory.

While the contemplation of other manifestations of art and industry is limited to closed spaces (theaters, museums and collections), The vehicles are exhibited on our streets and highways, thereby providing an unexpected spectacle to the entire community.

Consequently, we are openly against the approval and application of any measure that prevents the occasional free movement of these vehicles.

3º THE ADOPTION OF MEASURES AIMED AT PROMOTING AND RECOGNIZING THE EFFORT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSERVATION OF THE OLD VEHICLE IS SOMETHING JUST AND NECESSARY

The old vehicle is a fragile asset, susceptible to rapid deterioration, if it does not receive due attention. Its conservation requires proper storage and periodic care. Not receiving such attention for a relatively short time can make irrecoverable what could have been admiration and comfort for everyone. The cost and dedication involved in such care are currently borne entirely by the owners of said vehicles and We consider it fair that society, at least, recognizes this work by freeing their tenure from certain charges and obligations totally unrelated to conservation tasks. The collection of, for example, the circulation tax is, on the other hand, very difficult to justify in relation to vehicles that circulate very little and for the benefit of all.

We also affirm that The adoption of these measures is necessary because they constitute the best means of raising awareness in the community towards said heritage, which, without a doubt, is the best way to guarantee such care, especially for old vehicles with a low monetary value and still out of the control of the fans.
Put more clearly: It is clear that no one is going to buy and maintain an old vehicle because it saves, for example, road tax; but more than one owner with limited resources would stop thinking about sending his late father's car to the scrap metal every time the notice of said tax arrives. Perhaps he will even realize - in the face of this deferential treatment by the Administration - that this disused vehicle deserves a little more attention.

Knowing that time is running against us, We declare that we will hold responsible for the impoverishment of our historical heritage to all public authorities that, having in their power the adoption of these just and necessary measures, unjustifiably delay their implementation.

4º OLD VEHICLES DO NOT CONTRIBUTE IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY TO THE PROBLEMS OF TRAFFIC AND POLLUTION SUFFERED BY LARGE CITIES

Old vehicles circulate much less than modern ones and, normally, at times when the intensity of traffic is lower (weekends, mid-morning, etc). And we are not saying this on the basis of common sense alone: the statistics of the insurers confirm this without a doubt (Only in this way is it explained that, by applying to these vehicles discounted premiums up to 80%, the financial balance required by the products of this sector has been maintained).

On the other hand, old vehicles are required to undergo an ITV, with which it is proven that they comply with the regulations for the control of polluting emissions, like any other vehicle. If we add to this that the percentage of vehicles with more than 30 years old in the total census of vehicles in large cities is very low, the result of this equation is that vintage vehicles are only minimally involved in these major urban problems.

Consequently, we will consider unfounded and, therefore, we will oppose any measure that limits or hinders in any way the circulation of Antique Vehicles on urban roads based on these arguments, in the same way that we would oppose the closure of museums to reduce the influx of cultural tourism (which, surely, affects urban traffic more than our vehicles).

5º AN OLD VEHICLE IS NO MORE DANGEROUS THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE

We declare this not only (or mainly) because Old Vehicles –as we already pointed out in the previous section- undergo and pass the mandatory inspections, but because When old vehicles circulate, their drivers take maximum security measures.

Most of the accidents are caused by recklessness or carelessness of the driver. The frame of mind in which an aficionado gets behind the wheel of a prized vehicle that may have taken years to restore does not lend itself to making these mistakes. It circulates in good weather, without haste, normally on the weekend and on the open road; or it does not circulate.

What has been said here has been corroborated by specialists in the insurance of these vehicles, confirming that older vehicles are involved in quite a few minor mishaps, but very few serious ones (usually at fault by third parties behind the wheel of modern cars).

For this reason, we will consider unfounded any restrictive measure that is adopted based on the supposed lower safety of these vehicles, regardless of whether we accept punish those who occasionally and individually misuse them.

6th SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OF THE EXEMPTION OF THE CIRCULATION TAX

It is okay to pay taxes: we all want the streets and highways to be well paved, the traffic lights to work… and the money is not collected from the trees. However, paying (and collecting) excessive taxes is not so good. The old vehicles for which we request the exemption have been religiously paying their taxes for 20, 25, 30, 50 years. During this period, amounts have been entered into the municipal coffers that may significantly exceed the market value of said vehicle, a circumstance that certainly exceeds the forecasts of any municipal budgetary calculation (especially if we take into account the short average life of modern vehicles ). On the other hand, since the circulation of these vehicles is very limited, It is clear that they also enjoy and "consume" the infrastructure to maintain much less than the other vehicles.

For this reason, we declare that we consider it inappropriate and abusive to continue charging this tax to old vehicles as if they were vehicles for daily use and, therefore, we will support any action aimed at demonstrating that the accrual of said tax violates in this case the principles on those that are built our Tax Laws.

7º THE HISTORICAL REGISTRATION IS NOT A TOOL OF DISCRIMINATION

This name is given to the special registration plate, the obtaining of which is regulated by the Historical Vehicle Regulations. Its appearance was a real blessing for a part of the Spanish historical park, previously impossible to circulate in our country for various reasons (loss of documentation, lack of approval, etc).

Thanks to this measure, all of us Spaniards have been able to enjoyto prevent the enrichment of our fleet of old vehicles with "new" vehicles from abroad and to promote the restoration of a lot of undocumented jewels.

Now, the historical license plate does not in any way prejudge the historical value of those vehicles that, because they do not require this panacea, continue to circulate with their original registration (the most historic that a fan can aspire to).

In other words, Whether or not an antique vehicle has a Historic License Plate in no way affects its value or safety.

Therefore, use this instrument as a criterion for the selection of old vehicles to which to grant a benefit. -As some Public Administrations are currently doing- It can lead to very unfair situations, without any justifying reason.

For example, a Hispano-Suiza registered in Madrid in 1928 in the name of the Royal House and driven by Alfonso XIII, which would have ended up in the hands of a Madrid fan, is not currently entitled to exemption from road tax which, on the contrary , would be granted without problem to a 1968 Citroén Tiburón imported 2 months ago from France. Or, even better, if the owner of the aforementioned recently imported Shark also requested the exemption for another identical one that only differed from the previous one in that it was registered in Madrid in 1968 and has resided in said capital since then (of course, paying taxes), I would observe with astonishment as he was denied for the second.

Consequently, we are absolutely against the use of the aforementioned Historic Registration Plate -conceived as an authentic open door to the enrichment of our automobile fleet- as a wall to prevent most of the old vehicles in our country from benefiting from the measures designed for them.

8TH IMPORTANCE OF ASSOCIATIONISM

Clubs and associations are one of the main pillars of the infrastructure aimed at preserving vintage vehicles, globally. These organizations facilitate the work of locating, restoring and maintaining old vehicles and, in addition, they provide countless opportunities for the entire community to enjoy them.

Therefore, the signatories of this manifesto declare ourselves in favor of any measure aimed at promoting growth and cohesion of these organizations in our country and we will celebrate that the civic platform that we constitute takes care of supporting any of their claims.

So many of us think and we have considered it opportune and convenient to endorse it registering in «THE ESCUDERÍA EN ACCIÓN».

Subscribe to the newsletter

Once a month in your mail.

Thanks a lot! Do not forget to confirm your subscription through the email that we have just sent you.

Something has gone wrong. Please try again.

60.2 kHappy fans
2.1 kFollowers
3.4 kFollowers
3.8 kFollowers