The fourth greatest car museum on our list is also from Italy. Our visit took place quite some time ago, and in fact, we actually wanted to rank the Italian National Automobile Museum much lower. But the deeper we dug into our memories, the more it got clear: this list can’t get rid of MAuto, as it really ticks all the boxes, and there is no way that the fifth-placed Museo Storico Alfa Romeo could pass it.
The Museum is located in the city of Turin, in the heart of the Italian automotive industry and home of FIAT and many designers and coachbuilders. The Museum is located in a modern and elegant building on the outskirt of the city. Their website is very informative and also extensively available in English.
The newly constructed building is free of imperfections, even when measured against the best, like the major German manufacturer’s museums or Louwmans. MAuto is among the most stylish Museums we’ve ever seen, and the technical implementation is also excellent. We reckon it is the most child-friendly national car museum with its interactive and entertaining installations.
There is an hommage section dedicated to car designers beyond the legendary Italian designers. There is a scientific and educational corner. MAuto is really proud of its interactive installations, and for a good reason. Simulators, technical demonstrations and scaled-down models illustrate many aspects of car making.
Despite the name, the Museum goes well beyond the borders of Italy, showcases quite a few foreign makes, like the rare Wankel powered NSU RO80, Citroen DS or the original military Jeep or the famous Jamais Content (at least a replica of it).
While the exhibition is a bit heavy on FIAT models (plus there is a FIAT Museum in town), the Museum keeps a rich collection of defunct brands, like Cisitialia or Isotta Fraschini. And, of course, there is a complete timeline from the 19th century to the future.
The MAuto in Turin is a special place for automotive pilgrims. Its variety and comprehensive exhibition make it a perfect destination for fans of automotive history, and the neighbouring Pininfarina Museum should dismiss any remaining doubts about the trip (if one can get in). The area where MAuto excels, is the interactivity and consequently the ability to accommodate children who will follow the exhibition with great interest. It is impossible to be the best in everything, but the interactivity and the magnificent style of the museum allow it to beat some of the top contenders for the best museum title.
For the next museum on our list you can scroll down or click the article below. We are finally leaving Italy…
The 5 best car museums in Europe: Nr. 3: the Louwman Museum, the Hague, the Netherlands
