Making our voice heard

The rights of owners of the older motor vehicles were underlined last October when the Vice-President of FIVA and the French historic car organisation held a protest meeting at the European Parliamentary HQ in Strasbourg. It was attended by 1046 appropriate vehicles, blocking the city streets, all in good humour it seems, and 22,787 people signed the protest petition. Fine cars came from all over Europe, including a Bugatti Royale, Cadillacs, vintage Bentleys, a twin-cam Sunbeam, etc. Mme Nicole Fontaine, President of the European Parliament, pledged her support before the Press, and MPs were also enthusiastic; the President was even photographed sitting on a veteran car. It all bodes well, but as Lord Montagu has reminded us, political promises can be broken and the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. He is one of now only 42 peers in the Lords and is holding his own club forum at Beaulieu on February 6,2000.