Nov 27 - Gibraltar Represented At Bucharest FIVA Annual General Assembly
Is there a connection between Count Dracula and classic vehicles?
Gibraltar’s representatives at the Annual General Assembly of FIVA, the International Federation of Classic Vehicles held on the 15th November in Bucharest, can make that connection. Not only that but they were surprised to discover what is possibly the most stunning collection of classic vehicles in the world is in Bucharest at the Tiriac Collection.
A spokesperson said: “There were some weighty matters to agree at the General Assembly. FIVA grapples with issues that affect the global community of classic vehicles lovers like for example stricter regulatory changes that threaten to take these vehicles off the public roads. As an example, all classic vehicles have been banned from Greece’s roads by some ill-considered legislation.
“Some new membership applications were discussed and voted on. Nepal and Bosnia Herzegovina are now members. Most importantly for Gibraltar the AGM voted unanimously to hold their 2018 General Assembly in Gibraltar next November.
“This is an honour for Gibraltar. It became a full member just a short three years ago. The holding of the General Assembly in Gibraltar means that 300 plus country representatives with their spouses will be able to sample our warm hospitality. That’s three hundred people swarming through Gibraltar’s shops and tourist attractions for several days.”
At the General Assembly GCVA President, Howard Danino was elected unopposed as Director for Membership and Internal Affairs for the next three years.
“Gibraltar’s representatives were taken to visit and have dinner at the largest building in the world - ex-President Ceaucescu’s palace - and now the home of the upper and lower houses of the Romanian Parliament. The delegates were the guests of the President of the Romanian Senate. Interestingly Nicolae Ceaucescu never saw the completion of his pharaonic project. He was tried and summarily shot during the 1989 uprising that saw the end of his despotic and inhumane Communist regime.
“To the surprise of most of the delegates we discovered the Tiriac Collection, the most stunning collection of classic and high performance cars anywhere in the world. Mr. Ion Tiriac is apparently Romania’s richest person and he is also an avid petrolhead. It is impossible to describe the size and quality of the collection and the photos that accompany this article do it no justice. If you ever find yourself in Bucharest a visit to the collection has to be on the mandatory list.
“The Gibraltar Classic Vehicle Association now faces the daunting task of mounting a memorable General Assembly for 2018. This will require the support of the government and the business community. I am sure next year the delegates will leave with a good impression of Gibraltar. Gibraltar may be a small country but it has a big heart.
“As far as Dracula is concerned Gibraltar’s delegates were taken to visit Bran Castle a forbidding fortress built by Vlad the Impaler who inspired the author of the Count Dracula novels. They’ve slept soundly since in the knowledge that he was a fictional character!”
Top pics: The GCVA delegation during General Assembly coffee break and Howard Danino, President GCVA, selling Gibraltar as destination for 2018 General Assembly.
Vehicle pics: Top: 1937 Mercedes Benz at Tiriac Collection
Bottom: Duesenberg J Berline Convertible from 1930, a unique model in the world once owned by Tyrone Power also in show at the Tiriac Collection.
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