The SVAMZ Association was established as the first association of vintage vehicle clubs in Slovenia during the opening of the Motorcycle Museum in Vransko in 1997, where it still has its headquarters and main office today. 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 vintage vehicles.

Immediately after its establishment, SVAMZ started issuing nationally recognized certificates (cards) for vintage vehicles, providing various benefits and indicating the status of the vintage 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 1.5 million members (www.fiva.org). In 2005, the association obtained the status of a public interest cultural organization from the Ministry of Culture, recognizing 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.