Some of you may have seen it on my FB page this week; I’ve been on a Christmas-work-lunch in Torino at the Museum of Automobiles. A splendid day in a great setting. I didn’t expect to like this museum but wow, what a wonderful museum! Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me, so I made some pics with my poor mobile…not my best pictures (by far!!), but I’ll share them anyway to give you an impression of the museum. After a wonderful Italian lunch buffet we started our tour with a guide. I can absolutely recommend a guide as they are very prepared and explain some really fun details of the history of the automobile. I’ll share a few with you tonight.
I’ll start with the very first FIAT dated from 1899:
Check the lights…they used candles!!!! I found this the best I’ve ever seen… In the beginning the steering wheel was still in the middle and the people were sitting in front of the driver. They experienced that as not very handy…was a bit difficult for the driver to see…and so they changed that and created the idea to put people in the back behind the driver. Well, what can I say? You learn by making mistakes, right? After a while the steering wheel was placed on the right (as you still see in England, New-Zealand, Japan, etc), but this caused the street to be consumed on the right side. They didn’t have the money or equipment to equalize the street and that’s why they changed the position of the steering wheel to the left. As this idea came from Napoleon and the British folks weren’t to keen on him they left the steering wheel on the right, just as nowadays…
A fun detail about the first Fiat 500 (1936), also called Topolino:
Topolino in Italian means Mickey Mouse. When this car was presented in the United States the first thing the Americans said was…hey Mickey Mouse. This because the part over the car tires with the head lights on top looked similar to the ears of Mickey Mouse. So from then it got named Topolino!
Well during the tour you will hear many more fun details about famous cars. And even though I don’t have any passion for cars, this museum is really nice to visit both for young and old! Check out this car made of many small cars:
Or a Formula 1 Ferrari car from many years back:
Don’t miss this great museum while visiting the beautiful city Torino (Piemonte). It is very easy to go there by public transport! I took the train to the station Torino Porta Nuova (you can also go to the station Porta Susa). From there you take the underground to the station Lingotto. Now you need to walk only 600 meters and you’re at the entrance of the wonderful Museum of Automobiles!! There is a big parking lot in front of the museum, so you can also go easily by car. Just bring your navigation system to brin you there…
Museo dell’Automobile - Corso Unita’ d’Italia 40 – 10126 Torino – Tel: 011 677666/7/8
www.museoauto.it (click on ENG for the English version)
nice post dear
The Topolino is such a cute car! Thanks for showcasing this museum – great photos!
Thanks Meg. Well, the photo’s…next time I’ll bring my camera..that will be better
Well I liked your pictures a lot – and I’m a fan of Fiat cars!
That’s a cool museum My children and I want go there
It’s interesting and fun. Children will love it too, I’m sure!
WOW, very interesting!
An excellent post! I have never been excited about cars except that they get me from point A to point B, but your post was full of great stories. Maybe is it time for me to get more interested in cars!!!
Oh how I understand you. I was never interested in cars as well, but the history about it is really interesting
Happy I could convince you as well!!
I love how you write…
Thank you so much..that’s such a big compliment