BRUSSELS — The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), the world association for historic car clubs, has made Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. its "official tire partner," a designation that includes Pirelli's assuming the role of global tire technical adviser to FIVA partner organizations.
The "multi-year" agreement coincides with an increased interest in the historic car sector by Pirelli, as exemplified by its continually expanding "Pirelli Collezione" product range for classics.
FIVA's primary objective is to encourage the safe road use of cars and other vehicles that are more than 30 years old, Pirelli said, for the benefit of their owners, enthusiasts and the public.
FIVA also catalogues many historic vehicles through the FIVA Vehicle ID card, administered by its technical commission. FIVA has more than 85 member organizations in more than 62 countries throughout the world — including the Historic Vehicle Associations of Stouffville, Ontario — representing more than 1.5 million historic vehicle enthusiasts.
With Pirelli's assistance FIVA will publish specific tire content for its website, fiva.org, available to anyone wishing to learn more about tires for classic cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles.
Pirelli noted that in partnership with the various car makers, it develops tires whose appearance and tread design are the same as the originals, while meeting all the standards expected of modern tires.
For example, Pirelli has developed five bespoke tires for classic Porsches, together with the manufacturer. The Italian firm is also collaborating with Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. to produce "J"-marked tires for the car maker's iconic Jaguar XJ220 supercar.