We can debate which classic car club is the oldest in the Netherlands. Is it the Bugatti Club, MG Car Club Holland, Ford Model A club or the Pioneer Automobile Club (PAC)?
Without a doubt, any anniversary needs to be celebrated and so does the PAC! The PAC is founded in 1956. Meaning this year's 60th anniversary will be celebrated in a way the club always does: organizing a wonderful tour. Next weekend (1st until the 3rd of July), there will be a Jubilee run during the Dutch Concours d'Elégance at Palace Het Loo. Where the cars will also take part in the concours.
The Pionier Automobielen Club is officially founded on Saturday the 13th of May 1956, during a meeting in the old Hotel Pays Bas at the St. Jans Kerkhof in Utrecht. This with the aim: to promote the interest in classic and historical cars and to keep the cars both original and drivable.
Interest in antique cars was something that was already huge in the United Kingdom, also because of the famous London-to- Brighton run (for cars built before 1905). But got great international attention after the movie Geneviève in 1953. In the movie the 'leading characters', won the race with their 1904 Darracq and a green 1905 Spyker (both are part of the collection of the Dutch Louwman Museum, for already a long time). To celebrate the 700th anniversary of the city Alkmaar, the first Dutch car tour war organized in 1955.
This made a couple of car enthusiast come up with the idea to start a club, exclusively for cars built before 1930. Together they organized their first run on the 13th of May 1956, in which 23 cars participated.
After this the first Traditierit took place. With an 1898 De Dion Bouton as the first one to leave Utrecht, 34 other cars followed and drove to the circuit of Zandvoort. On the circuit there was a lot of interest from all ages. With quite some excitement when the big sleeve valve engine Minerva passes, with a big puff of smoke (behind it).
The Pioneer Automobile Club was and still is the club for classic car enthusiasts in the Netherlands. They organize tours for cars built before 1940, but also for specific era's like the slower pre-1905 cars. Also interest in the next generation is shown, with events as the Beforty rally and the upcoming Picknickrun.
Just like PreWarCar.com, they will celebrate their birthday at Palace Het Loo. Please come and see this driving museum!