Veteran cars escape the scrap heap – are ‘vehicles of particular cultural interest’

Strasbourg – Owners of vintage and muscle cars can breathe a sigh of relief as new EU regulations do not force scrapping.

The European Commission’s proposal on how to handle old cars has been a contentious issue for several years, with questions occasionally raised about whether the cars must be scrapped.

However, that risk is now gone as both the European Parliament and EU member states have agreed on their stance regarding the proposal. Both support the preservation of what is referred to in EU language as “vehicles of particular cultural interest.”

Swedish member Johan Danielsson (Social Democrats) is pleased, but still raises a warning finger regarding the final compromise negotiations with EU member states.

“If it goes as the member states wish, then an adult person who owns a restoration project must submit a restoration plan showing that they have the funds and technical expertise to restore it. And then it must be approved by an ‘independent vehicle expert.’ They are creating an administrative monster and it is madness,” says Danielsson at a press conference in Strasbourg.

(September 9)