Auto shows around the world offer a chance to discover the latest in automotive technology. However, many people still enjoy visiting museums dedicated to classic cars, which are also found in Istanbul. These fascinating exhibitions are considered historical monuments, offering the opportunity to travel back to the origins of the automotive industry over several centuries.
Transportation is generally a passion among men. Many men, especially businessmen, have a keen interest in classic cars, models of which are housed in Istanbul's themed museums. Although the number of exhibits is very limited, as rare cars are truly treasured, there is still much to admire and admire. Some of the exhibits on display are not automobile-related, but rather reflect a range of other interests, such as collections of commemorative gasoline stamps and related accessories. You can see cars from various eras at any of the museums listed below. Visiting the exhibitions allows you to rekindle old memories and delve into the past.
Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum
While in Istanbul, you might consider taking a unique tour of an indoor space dedicated to classic car enthusiasts. The Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum in Istanbul's coastal neighborhood of Tarabye is a good choice. Ural Ataman, who founded the museum, was influenced by the beauty of classic cars as a child. As a young man, he used to travel with his father in a 1946 Ford.
The museum opened in 2012, exuding a nostalgic atmosphere. Today, the museum boasts 2000 square meters of exhibition space, displaying over 60 vehicles, including motorcycles and trucks, primarily from the 50s and 60s. In addition to classic car models, visitors can see hundreds of different industrial and automotive accessories, such as fuel pumps, jukeboxes, and hubcaps. Housed in a glass building, the museum is illuminated by neon signs, creating a unique atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era.
The automobiles are divided into various sections. The first section houses an exhibition of American passenger vehicles, accompanied by a restaurant designed in the style of the 1950s. The building's top floor houses European automobiles, as well as other rooms featuring an automotive library, a piano, a miniature race track, and other collectibles. The museum is currently open to visitors only on Saturdays.
Classic Automobile Museum Mehmet Arsay
The private collection features rare cars, ranging from an 1899 Decauville to a 1978 Porsche. The Mehmet Arsay Classic Car Museum is open Saturday and Sunday.
The concept of vintage car exhibitions didn't gain popularity until the 1994s. However, collector Arsay founded Turkey's first automobile museum in XNUMX, located in Istanbul's İkitelli district. The exhibition halls display vintage cars, mostly imported from abroad. Among them are exhibits of the vehicles of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, which were restored with the approval of the Grand National Assembly. Turkey (TBMM).
All the cars at the Mehmet Arsay Museum undergo meticulous repair and maintenance. Businessman Cengiz Arsay created the car collection in memory of his father. The exhibition's founder often drives his classic cars and is delighted when young people, especially, show interest in his exhibits.
Rahmi Koç Museum
This Istanbul landmark is located on the shores of the Golden Horn. The Rahmi Koç Museum itself isn't a place exclusively dedicated to vintage vehicles, but among the exhibits are a number of nostalgic cars from various eras for interested visitors.
The museum displays models of cars designed specifically for transportation, communications, and industry, such as the Ford Model T, Citroën DS, Volkswagen Beetle, 1939 Cabriolet, 1938 Rolls-Royce, and Porsche 911. There are also two classic Anadols, which represent milestones in Turkish automotive history. In addition to these models, the Italian Bubble car design, considered one of the most popular brands of transport after World War II, is on display. The Rahmi Koç Museum also houses a BMW Isetta 300 and an early Ford racing car. It's worth noting that the small Isetta 300 was designed for short-term use.
Sabri Artam Classic Car Museum
The Vintage Car Museum is located in the Ataşehir district of Istanbul on the Asian side. Opened in 1998, the five-story building displays a variety of car models, charting the evolution of passenger transport chronologically, from the twentieth century to the present. The vintage cars reflect the character of their country of origin, the period of their technical specialization, and even bear historical traces of the events they witnessed.
The museum's collection was assembled over the course of twenty years. All the vehicles underwent the necessary repairs and restoration before being put on display. The first floor houses vehicles manufactured after the 1960s, while the second floor displays exhibits dating back to the 1930s. Antique vehicles are housed on the third and fourth floors. The SAV Museum is the first exhibition to be accredited by FIVA (the International Federation of Vehicles). The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday.
