Argentina’s Autoclásica 2016, held October 7-10, was the venue for the presentation of the Federation Internationale des Vehicules Ancien’s final preservation award before the year’s award-winning cars are invited to assemble in Paris for a celebration of World Motoring Heritage Year. That celebration, “Paris Week,” is organized by FIVA as part of its 50th anniversary activities, and will run from November 16-20.
World Motoring Heritage Year enjoys the formal patronage of UNESCO, and the FIVA preservation awards recognize vehicles that are important cultural artifacts — retaining much of their original components, materials and finishes. Since Argentina’s Autoclásica is the primary classic and historic vehicle concours in South America, the judges faced a tough challenge in selecting just one winner.
Honored by the presence of UNESCO’s Regional Director, Lidia Brito, and the Cultural Representative for Argentina, Gloria Silva, the judging team led by FIVA President Patrick Rollet finally selected the Ferrari 195 Inter, s/n 181 EC.
This remarkable Ferrari, first registered in 1952, features a Vignale body and is powered by the 2,341cc Colombo-designed V12 engine driving through a five-speed gearbox. Its first owner was the renowned Italian actress Anna Magnani, who enjoyed the Ferrari for some six years. After a further short period in Europe, the car was shipped to the USA in 1959 to become part of the William F. Harrah Collection in Reno, Nevada. Thirty-six years later it was purchased by its current owner, Daniel Sielecki, who ran it in the 1996 Mille Miglia and subsequently preserved the car’s original condition in Argentina, where he shares it with local enthusiasts at such key events as Autoclásica.
“October’s Autoclásica in Argentina was the final event of 2016 at which FIVA will present a preservation award,” commented FIVA President Patrick Rollet, “and choosing the winner from a selection of such beautifully preserved, important motor cars was hugely enjoyable — but not easy.”
FIVA remains the only global organization devoted to encouraging the safe use on public roads of historic, self-propelled, mechanical vehicles, while remaining equally focused on preserving and promoting the very culture of motoring. For more information please visit www.fiva.org
