FIA President Max Mosley hailed the certificate as “another step towards protecting our automotive heritage.” It has been created to provide an industry standard for the historic and classic car market.

The first of these certificates was presented by Mosley on the eve of the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. He presented certificates and vignettes to the owners of a Porsche 910 ‘Carrera 10’ Targa and a Jaguar XKC 120 C-Type, which were displayed at the base of the Monaco race control tower on Friday 19 May.

Mosley added: “The heritage certificate will be an essential document for every owner. It is the only universal way to establish the heritage of an historic vehicle.”

To be awarded a Heritage Certificate a vehicle must be shown to have existed continuously as a complete car since it was first built by the manufacturer whose name it carries. It must also have been first built in the appropriate year and either have a chassis/VIN number which was allocated to it when new by the manufacturer or have a history entirely consistent with the absence of a chassis/VIN number to prove its authenticity.

Components of the vehicle may have been replaced as long as it can be clearly demonstrated that the vehicle has at all times existed as a recognisable entity of a car. For instance, cars built up from scrap or new around a chassis plate or previously discarded components would not meet the criteria.

The FIA has prioritised the development of this project, which it sees as an essential step in the preservation of historic and classic vehicles. As Mosley put it: “They are the heritage of motoring and motor sport. The preservation of these working museum pieces is a priority for the FIA. We may be acting for the future, but we do so on the basis of a rich past.”

FIA Heritage Certificate - Q & A With FIA President Max Mosley

What was the FIA’s objective in creating the Heritage Certificate?
“We wanted to offer an official and properly-researched FIA opinion as to whether or not a car is the genuine original car it purports to be. It will be an essential document for every owner. It is, in fact, the only universal way to establish the heritage of an historic vehicle. We have been working on the project for more than five years, and I am glad to see it come to fruition.”

What is the role of the certificate?
“It confirms that in the considered opinion of the FIA, the vehicle is legitimate. It requires answers to three questions. Was this car built at the appropriate time? Has it existed continuously since it was built and is the car submitted for assessment and examination the car to which the previous two criteria apply? Collectors need this kind of document. The certificate is not a trophy, or a prize, it is another step towards protecting our automotive heritage.”

Why is this document so important?
“It offers a guarantee that the FIA has examined the vehicle in close detail to establish that it is uniquely entitled to a given identification/chassis number or VIN. Only one certificate can be awarded per chassis number and owners can be sure they possess the genuine vehicle, not a reproduction. When buying a historic vehicle, a Heritage Certificate will reassure the purchaser. A car is valued in two ways: its emotional value, and its market value. The Heritage Certificate represents a guarantee of both.”

Does the FIA place much importance on historic and classic vehicles?
“Of course. They are the heritage of motoring and motor sport. The preservation of these working museum pieces is a priority for the FIA. We may be acting for the future, but we do so on the basis of a rich past. In that sense, it will be a nice symbol to see the first FIA Heritage Certificates presented at the Monaco Historic GP. “

How will the FIA Heritage Certificate be awarded?
“Initially, we receive an application dossier from the owner of the vehicle, which may be 100 years old or only 100 days old The dossier must be as complete as possible, detailing the precise history of the vehicle. An inspector is then sent to view the vehicle in question: he examines it closely, and submits a report to the FIA Heritage Committee. In parallel, we cross-check the validity of the information in the dossier, notably the history of the chassis, and conduct ‘due diligence’. This is relatively easy when the manufacturer is still in business, but can be much harder if not. Finally, the Committee meets, examines the application dossier, the inspector’s report and the document that states the administrative legitimacy of the vehicle. It then gives its opinion.”

Must the car be 100% in conformity with the original?
“Not necessarily. The Heritage Certificate is above all a confirmation that the vehicle in question is the unique and original vehicle, and that its history is valid. We consider that a car can ‘live its life’ – if an owner decides to change the wheels or bodywork, it is not our concern, though the Heritage Certificate will note significant changes from the original appearance or specification. Equally, a racing car may have been modified in many ways. As long as the chassis number is legitimate, and the history of the vehicle is clearly established, the Certificate can be awarded.”

What does the vehicle’s owner receive?
“A certificate, and a vignette that is placed on the vehicle’s windscreen. This is valid for five years but will normally be renewed automatically. The certificate is awarded to the car, not its owner.”

How many members belong to the FIA Heritage Committee?
“At the moment, there are eight. The FIA Senate nominates the Committee members annually. Their names are published on the FIA website. The inspectors are chosen from a list published annually by the FIA, and approved by the Senate. In 2006, there will be eleven inspectors.”

What vehicles are eligible?
“Every original and genuine car, regardless of age or value, can be registered with the FIA and receive a certificate.”

Do the FIA experts take aesthetic criteria into account?
“No. It is not a concours d’élégance. Our experts simply confirm the original identity of a vehicle by checking the chassis, as well as its conformity with the original technical specifications. If modifications have been made, they must figure in the dossier which is submitted to us, and don’t necessarily lead to a refusal. If the car’s history is clear, the Committee can award the Certificate, along with some comments.”

Does this procedure mean you re-discover rare vehicles?
“Possibly. We consider each one as a separate work. There are, indeed, many similarities with the world of fine art. Our work is fastidious and exacting, but allows us to come into contact with vehicles that give great pleasure to any automotive enthusiast.”

Is this part of a wider project?
“Indeed it is. With certain honourable exceptions neither organisers not manufacturers have kept details of cars which have been used in International events over the last 100 years or so. It has never been the duty or responsibility of FIA to keep records of this nature. However the neutral status of the FIA provides an ideal repository for collected information from many sources.”

How can further details be obtained?
“Our website, www.fiaheritage.com, provides all the information an applicant may need. The details of all applicant vehicles can also be found on the site, thus ensuring that owners can quickly see any apparent discrepancy relating to their own vehicles or those they know about. Transparency is a vital part of the Heritage Certificate project.”

How does the Heritage Certificate relate to the Historic Technical Passport (HTP)?
“The HTP certifies that a vehicle conforms in every respect to the original specification of that vehicle. The vehicle might not, however, be an authentic and original vehicle. The HC, on the other hand, certifies that a vehicle is original and authentic, even if it does not conform to its original specification in every detail. Of course an original car which still conforms to its original specification could hold both an HTP and an HC. An original racing car which has been modified might hold an HC (with an endorsement), but would not be eligible for an HTP. Conversely, a car which conforms in every respect to the specification of an original vehicle can hold an HTP even if it is a recently-built copy, but can never hold the HC which is reserved for the original vehicle. Of course the ultimate is a car which is eligible for both an HTP and an HC.”

Why this distinction between HC and HTP?
“They satisfy two different needs. The HTP ensures that in a competition the cars are all of the same specification and that none has an unfair advantage. The HC tells us whether or not the car is genuine and original. Two different problems requiring two different documents.”

More information on the FIA Heritage Certificate is available on www.fia.com and www.fiaheritage.com