NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM OF TURIN: A JOURNEY THROUGH ITALIAN CULTURE ON FOUR WHEELS

Visiting the National Automobile Museum of Turin (MAUTO) doesn’t just mean admiring one of the most important automotive collections in the world—it means stepping into a century and a half of Italian history, creativity, industry, dreams, and social revolutions. During our visit, arranged with the museum’s management to produce a special feature for Collezionismoauto.it and its international edition TheCarCollecting.it, we were able to immerse ourselves in a fascinating path that recounts the evolution of the automobile and, through it, the evolution of our country.

Founded in 1932 and completely renovated in 2011, MAUTO is a place where past, present, and future interact in a spectacular way. Its exhibition route—one of the most modern and visually striking in Europe—combines technology, storytelling, and one-of-a-kind vehicles that appeal not only to motor enthusiasts, but to anyone interested in understanding how the automobile shaped Italian society.

A museum that tells the story of Italy through its cars

The visit begins with a fundamental question: where does the automobile come from? The first rooms showcase prototypes and motorized carriages from the late 1800s, evidence of the earliest stages of European mechanical ingenuity. But it is upon entering the sections dedicated to the 20th century that the cultural value of MAUTO truly emerges.

The car has been one of the most iconic symbols of Italian identity worldwide: design, engineering, style, and character. The vehicles on display reflect social transformation, from mass production to the economic boom, from women’s emancipation to the birth of modern tourism.

The museum doesn’t simply exhibit cars; it tells the story of how they influenced cinema, fashion, architecture, and even everyday language. Each model is accompanied by multimedia installations that highlight its historical and cultural impact.

Iconic pieces that speak of achievements, politics and daily life

The strength of MAUTO lies in the presence of unique vehicles tied to extraordinary stories. During our visit, several models particularly struck us for their symbolic value.

Itala 35/45 HP: hero of the legendary 1907 Peking–Paris race

Among the museum’s most iconic pieces is the Itala 35/45 HP, the protagonist of the legendary 1907 Peking–Paris race, won by Prince Scipione Borghese, journalist Luigi Barzini, and mechanic Ettore Guizzardi.

This vehicle represents far more than a sporting victory; it is a testament to the ingenuity and reliability of early 20th-century Italian industry. Covering over 16,000 km across deserts, steppes, and mountains, with virtually no support vehicles, remains one of the greatest feats in automotive history.

Seeing it in person—with its imposing presence and period charm—means reliving a pioneering adventure that helped project Italy onto the world stage.

Enrico Berlinguer’s Fiat 600

Another standout piece is the Fiat 600 once owned by Enrico Berlinguer, the historic secretary of the Italian Communist Party. A simple, popular car, symbol of post-war Italy and the economic boom.

The 600 motorized entire generations, transforming mobility and giving countless families the freedom to explore the country. Berlinguer actually used this car, embodying that sense of austerity and modesty that became central to his public image.

Inside the museum, this small car becomes a powerful testimony of 1950s–60s Italy, where the automobile was not just a mode of transport, but a tool of collective emancipation.

Other unmissable highlights

MAUTO houses over 200 vehicles, and each visit reveals new models that tell a different chapter of Italian history. Among the most intriguing:

• Futuristic prototypes by Giugiaro, Bertone and Pininfarina, showcasing Italy’s role in international design.
• The Fiat Turbina, an experimental 1950s car powered by an aircraft turbine—an avant-garde vision of the future.
• The Lancia Lambda, groundbreaking for its load-bearing chassis and independent suspension, considered one of the most advanced cars of its time.
• The Ferrari 250, one of the most elegant and coveted models ever built, embodying Italian sporting and stylistic excellence.
• A selection of racing cars illustrating the history of Formula 1 and motorsport, from Alfa Romeo to Lancia Martini.

Each car captures a different facet of Italian identity—creativity, courage, aesthetics, technology, but also daily life, work and popular culture.

The exhibition path: an immersive experience

One distinctive element of MAUTO is the attention devoted to the visitor’s experience. Cars are not displayed as static objects, but placed within evocative settings that recreate eras and atmospheres.

Visitors move from futuristic rooms to reconstructions of 1960s urban life, from artistic installations to interactive videos. The result is a museum capable of engaging anyone, even emotionally.

For us at Collezionismoauto.it and TheCarCollecting.it, it was a unique opportunity to admire rare models and gain essential historical insights to better understand the development of modern automotive collecting.

Why MAUTO is a must-visit for automotive collectors

For lovers of historic cars and collecting, the National Automobile Museum of Turin is a true temple of motoring culture. The variety and quality of the collection make it possible to observe the evolution of engineering and design from unique perspectives.

Each visit offers inspiration—whether for restoration experts, international collectors, or enthusiasts seeking to understand the historical value of specific models.

Our experience was more than a simple visit: it was a journey through Italy’s collective memory, told through the object that changed our way of living more than any other.

The National Automobile Museum of Turin is not just a place to admire cars; it is a space that allows visitors to understand Italy—its evolution, its character, its dreams. From the Peking–Paris Itala to Berlinguer’s Fiat 600, every model preserves a story that belongs to all of us.

For these reasons, MAUTO is an unmissable destination for enthusiasts and curious visitors alike, as well as a global point of reference for automotive collectors.

Visitor tips: hours, tickets and useful information

Here is all the practical information you need to plan your visit.

Address

Corso Unità d’Italia 40, Turin
Just minutes from the city center and easily accessible by car thanks to a large parking area.

Opening hours

Monday: closed
Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00
(Last admission one hour before closing)
Hours may vary during events or holidays; we recommend checking the official website before visiting.

Tickets

Full price: approx. €15
Reduced: students, over 65, groups, partners
Free: children under 6, visitors with disabilities and accompanying person
Guided tours and multilingual audio guides are also available.

Official website

www.museoauto.it

How to get there

By car: exit Corso Unità d’Italia – dedicated parking
By tram/bus: GTT public transport lines connect the museum to the city center
By bicycle: cycle path along the Po River