The MVPA was formed in 1976, when the club then known as the Military Vehicle Collectors Club (MVCC) broke off from the National Military Vehicle Collectors Association (NMVCA). There were many things that caused the MVCC to break away from the parent club, two of which were member-elected officers and the publication of a national directory (both of which the NMVCA opposed). In late 1976 when the first directory was published and it included 370 members.

The first election of officers was held in 1977 and Supply Line spun off from Army Motor's Supply Room in 1978. In 1979 a full board of officers was elected and began a time of restructuring and reorganization, new by-laws were written and adopted, and the club headquarters moved from Colorado to Missouri. The name of the club even changed twice in this time frame, from MVCC to International Military Vehicle Collectors Club (IMVCC) and then to the current name of Military Vehicles Preservation Association (MVPA). And the club membership went from 880 in 1980 to 4,816 members in 1989.

The club moved from just a classic-car-club to a more business-like international organization. While we enjoy the somewhat free use of our vehicles, the people on the national level concern themselves with making sure we maintain that privilege. They have held successful international conventions every year since 1976, organized commemorative trips to Normandy, made a program for the History Channel, helped TACOM organize their archives and much, much more. They have subsidized (from member's dues) the successful lobbying of the Senate bill that they (the government) keep trying to pass to remove former DOD equipment from the hands of private collectors for 2 years in a row now.

As of 1999 there were 8,500 members covering more than 30 countries. There is also over 60 Affiliated Groups in 11 countries and over 100 Associate Members (businesses that cater to the MV hobby).

Last Revised: 04-March-02
Comments/Questions? Email: Curt