Car enthusiasts form a global community, and many like to meet up and share their passion. Club meets and rallies are all part of the annual motoring calendar, and there are many ways for people to get together.
Car collections are also an essential element of the scene for motoring fans. Whether it’s a museum or a private hoard opened to the public, such displays are on the “must-see” list for auto enthusiasts.
This list showcases some of the best collections worldwide. Some have an element of curiosity, while others focus on the more mainstream side of motoring, but each offers a great day out.
1. Petersen Automotive Museum
Situated in Los Angeles, California, the Petersen Automotive Museum houses a fascinating collection of exhibits from all areas of motoring. Its collection includes many cars from the film industry, including one of the DeLoreans used in the Back to the Future series and a VW Beetle from the 2005 production Herbie Fully Loaded.
There’s also a 1989 Batmobile, but the Petersen collection includes many other vehicles, including competition cars and American classics.
2. Lane Motor Museum
In Nashville, Tennessee, the Lane Motor Museum boasts the most extensive collection of European cars and motorcycles in the United States. Others may dispute that claim, but this is a great place to visit with many exhibits.
The Lane Museum is another location that contains quirky vehicles, including an amphibious car and several three-wheeled models from different years of auto production.
3. UK National Motor Museum
The picturesque setting of the UK’s National Motor Museum makes it one of the best places to visit. Situated in Bealieu in the spectacular New Forest, it’s home to decades of motoring history.
The museum is home to some of the earliest motorized vehicles, and the collection takes us through the generations to the modern day. Beaulieu is home to many classic cars, while enthusiasts can also enjoy Formula One models and land speed record holders.
4. Porsche Museum
Stuttgart, Germany, is home to the Porsche Museum, a must-see for lovers of this luxury brand. The museum has more than 80 exhibits, including rare and unique examples from across the manufacturer’s history.
Porsche is an iconic producer, and its museum will be on the bucket list for most motoring tourists. The interactive exhibits are a significant highlight of the trip.
5. Mercedes-Benz Museum
Stuttgart is the place to be for those with a passion for German cars. After you finish with Porsche models, a short trip will take you to the Mercedes-Benz museum.
The brand played a vital role in the evolution of motoring, and many fine early vehicles are kept here. Modern cars can also be found, and there’s information and exhibits relating to Mercedes’ involvement with Formula One racing.
6. Fisogni Museum
Those with a passion for motoring often take their interest beyond vehicles. The history of transport produces a diverse range of products, and many museums display original parts, fuel cans, and other unusual examples of automobilia.
Guinness World Records endorses the Fisogni Museum as having the best collection of fuel pumps. Located on the outskirts of Milan, the Fisogni houses a fantastic collection of pumps from motoring history.
7. The Henry Ford Museum
It’s worth visiting Dearborn, Michigan, to visit the incredible Henry Ford Museum. There are millions of artifacts here, and along with motoring, the location also covers technology and American history.
Cars are the focal point, however, and there are many early examples of Ford models, coupled with exhibits throughout the generations of this iconic manufacturer.
8. The Classic Motor Hub
The Classic Motor Hub at RAF Bibury in the UK is primarily a car dealer. The collection of vehicles here is so impressive that the owners have opened the site to events where motoring fans can browse and get involved, even if they don’t intend to make a purchase.
Regular meets occur at the Hub, home to some of the best examples of British and overseas classic cars worldwide.
9. Louwman Museum
The Netherlands doesn’t have a legendary association with motoring, but it does contain a must-see location for enthusiasts. The Louwman Museum is located in The Hague and is home to over 250 vehicles collected by generations of the Louwman family.
There are few Dutch manufacturers, but they are well-represented here. Vehicles from Spyker and Eysink are included in the exhibits. The museum also boasts the most extensive collection of cars manufactured before 1911.
10. National Automobile Museum
The official National Automobile Museum in the U.S. is in Reno, Nevada. It opened in 1989 and houses many items from the private collection of William F. Harrah, who was the museum’s principal donor. He founded Harrah’s Hotel and Casino group and was a considerable motoring enthusiast.
Over 250 vehicles are here, including some celebrity specials. Harrah’s connections with the entertainment industry allowed him to acquire cars previously belonging to Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and President John F. Kennedy.
11. Magna-Steyr Museum
Austria may not seem like a hub for vehicle manufacturing, but one producer enjoys a rich car-making history. Magna-Steyr, formerly Steyr-Daimler-Puch, played an underrated role in the industry.
The company designed cars for many manufacturers while producing a handful of their own vehicles. Many fine examples are housed in the Magna-Steyr Museum in Graz, including an unusual attempt by Mercedes-Benz to create a Jeep.
12. Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing
For those into drag racing, there is only one place to visit. The Don Garlits Museum is in Ocala, Florida, and contains the biggest and best collection of these incredible vehicles.
The museum exhibits cars that have been raced professionally. The location is also home to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, so everything is in place for those passionate about this fast-paced sport.
13. Italian National Motor Museum
The city of Turin houses the best collection of cars in Italy. While other locations in the country are dedicated to specific brands, this is the place for those who want a more diverse range of manufacturers.
About 200 cars from 80 producers are housed here, including a rare 1914 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. Italy’s National Motor Museum also has some quirky exhibits, including a Fiat 500 partly embedded in a wall.
14. Bubblecar Museum
In the UK, an unusual collection of vehicles waits to entertain those with quirkier tastes. Bubblecars are so named because of the domed roof that often tops off the vehicles. These cars are mainly three-wheelers, although there are some exceptions.
The museum is located in Boston, Lincolnshire, and exhibits more than 50 of the weirdest vehicles you could ever hope to see.
15. Rolls-Royce Museum
We return to Austria for what claims to be the best collection of vehicles from this iconic brand. The Rolls-Royce name is linked with luxury, and its cars are considered status symbols worldwide.
The brand has a long history. Rolls-Royce was founded in 1904. The Rolls-Royce Museum in Dornbirn has about 70 cars and 1,000 artifacts. The collection includes a 1927 Phantom driven by Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia.
