Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs announce new Director of Archiving

Published: 06/12/2019

The Federation have announced that its board of Directors has co-opted Andy Bye as Director of Archiving with immediate effect. Andy will serve on this basis until the Federation’s next Annual General Meeting.

The move comes in response to the Federation’s increasing requests for advice from member clubs and the monitoring of the continual development and evolution of the historic vehicle movement.

David Whale, FBHVC Chairman said, “Our, strategy has served our members and partners well for several years, but in the past twelve months we have realised that many clubs require support on the successful archiving of production drawings, build records and marque artefacts and so we are delighted to be able to extend our portfolio to support clubs on this important topic.” 

Andy Bye, who will be known to many as one of the trustees of the Rootes Archive Centre Trust, brings with him considerable knowledge and experience around the subject of archiving, which he will be sharing for the benefit of Federation members and the wider historic vehicle community. The team behind the Rootes Archive Centre Trust is credited with saving the archives from the old Rootes Group Engineering Department. The team went on to purchase their own freehold Archive building near Banbury through fundraising and recently announced that they are on the verge of paying for the building in full after only 4 years of further fundraising. An admirable achievement to give the Rootes archive certainty for future generations.

Andy Bye is retired from PSA Peugeot Citroen having started with the group in 1979. During his career, he did in fact work for Chrysler, Talbot, Peugeot Talbot, Citroen and Peugeot and at his retirement was Quality Director for PSA Peugeot Citroen. Andy was an active rally co-driver in Imps, Avengers and Sunbeams. These days he remains actively involved in both the motorsport and classic car sectors where he provides preparation and trackside support for a number of historic race cars. Andy is a member of the Sunbeam Alpine Owners Club and The Imp Club.

Speaking about his appointment, Andy Bye said, “Contributing to the FBHVC gives me the opportunity to become involved with the larger historic vehicle movement and to share my experience and passion for preserving and protecting invaluable archive artefacts and records. Many of the Federation’s members are grappling with how they manage, preserve and protect archives, so I am pleased to be able to offer support on how best to go about securing the future of the important information they collectively hold on our transport heritage.” 

Andy Bye’s first priorities will include the creation of a handbook of documents outlining best practice for managing archives including cataloguing options, finding suitable spaces, funding, storage options and ‘How to Do It Guides’. Andy is also keen to work on creating a central database of archivists for the sharing of knowledge and information as well as opening discussions with potential supporting partners.

Members will have their first opportunity to meet with Andy Bye at the forthcoming FBHVC Club Expo day to be held at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire on Saturday 25th January 2020. To book your ticketed place for Club Expo, please contact secretary@fbhvc.co.uk.