Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile di Torino, Turin, Italy
Visited in 2016
Also known as MAUTO, the National Automobile Museum is one of the major car museums in Europe. It was founded in 1932 and now has over 200 historically interesting automobiles on display in a purpose-built modern building in Turin.
The end of an era
A clever audiovisual display illustrates the end of the ‘Horse and Carriage’ and the beginning of the ‘Horseless Carriage’ at the end of the 19th Century.
The Rolling Sculpture – 1948 Cisitalia
One of the most beautiful automotive creations, the Cisitalia, with a fitting backdrop.
Diatto
Diatto (1905-1927) was built in Turin.
The one that started the French cyclecar rage – the Bédélia
Evidence of the wide variety of cars on display, is this French Bédélia cyclecar. Designed around parts of an old wrecked motorcycle, simplicity itself.
Grand Prix displayFlooring showing the locations of the numerous Carrozzeria in Turin
Turin is famous for being the home of so many coachbuilding firms. All the famous names were established here: Ghia, Bertone, Frua, Boano, and all at close proximity to one another.
Diorama
Interesting dioramas can be seen by looking through holes in a fence in part of the museum.
Address:
Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile
“Avv. Giovanni Agnelli”
Corso Unità d’Italia 40
10126 Torino, Italy
Carrozzeria Lombardi built numerous cars based on Fiat chassis. The most elegant and sporting model was the Lombardi Grand Prix, with production starting in 1968. The Grand Prix was created on the Fiat 850 chassis, including the rear-engined configuration. The Grand Prix was fitted with the 850’s 843 cc, four-cylinder engine that produced 34 hp. Even so, Lombardi claimed a top speed of 160 km/h for the 630 kg sports car. It was sold through Fiat dealerships and was covered by the standard Fiat warranty.
Alfa Romeo was founded in 1909 as A.L.F.A. (Société Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) in Portello on the outskirts of Milan. By 1915 the factory had got into financial difficulties and was taken over by Nicola Romeo. After World War I the cars were marketed as Alfa Romeo.
