The SVAMZ Association was established as the first association of historic vehicle clubs in Slovenia during the opening of the Motorcycle Museum in Vransko in 1997, where it still has its headquarters and its office. It was officially registered with the Administrative Unit Žalec under registration number 283 on November 5, 1999. Currently, it brings together more than fifty clubs and has registered several thousand historic vehicles.
Immediately after its establishment, SVAMZ started issuing nationally recognized certificates (ID cards) for historic vehicles, providing various benefits and indicating the status of the historic vehicle owner.
In 2001, SVAMZ became a member of the most important international organization in this field: FIVA – Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens, which unites over 1.8 million members (www.fiva.org).
In 2005, the SVAMZ obtained the status of a public interest cultural organization from the Ministry of Culture, due to its cultural activities and the general public benefit in preserving movable technical heritage. Today, the association holds the status of a non-governmental organization in the public interest in the field of culture.
In 2007, SVAMZ commissioners attended a special educational seminar organized by CTIF – International Association of Fire and Rescue Service, obtaining an international license for evaluating vintage firefighting vehicles.
In 2011, SVAMZ became a member of ICOM, the International Council of Museums, and TICCIH, the International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage. ICOM is a leading global non-profit organization connecting museums of all types and disciplines, along with other affiliated institutions and experts worldwide. It maintains formal partnerships with UNESCO and many other global organizations. TICCIH is an international organization for industrial heritage, collaborating with SVAMZ on various projects both domestically and internationally, such as writing articles, giving lectures, and more.
In 2023, SVAMZ became the first organization in Slovenia to join Europa Nostra, further confirming its activities in the field of culture and the preservation of movable technical heritage.
Since its inception, SVAMZ has been publishing the magazine “Avto Motor Classic,” which is distributed free of charge to all its members.
GOALS OF SVAMZ:
- Connect enthusiasts of movable technical heritage, including both associations and individuals.
- Promote the concept of “movable technical heritage” and its protection.
- Professional development and education of younger generations, ensuring the preservation of potentially interesting vehicles for future generations.
- Develop conservation and restoration activities in the field of movable technical heritage.
- Ensure better and more favorable conditions for technical heritage enthusiasts in Slovenia.
- Represent the collective interests of historic vehicle enthusiasts before government and other organizations.
- Connect with similar organizations and networks in Slovenia and internationally.
- Provide free legal and other assistance to all SVAMZ members.
- Provide free access to a library holding over 10,000 publications (books, manuals, catalogs, magazines, etc.) related to vehicles.
FOR MORE DETAILED HISTORY OF SVAMZ AND PROJECTS:
