Automobile. Two Centuries of History

From Maseratis to Volkswagens: a detailed showcase of 100 rare and iconic cars from across the globe

The Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin is a benchmark institution for automotive culture, promoting debate and experimentation since its establishment in 1960. This publication reflects on the museum’s storied history through a presentation of 100 cars from its collection. Imported from different nations across the globe, these automotive masterpieces index artistic, scientific and technological advancements of the 20th and 21st centuries. Among the masterpieces are the Itala 35/45 HP “Peking–Paris” (1907); Maserati 26B (1928); and Volkswagen Tipo 1 “Maggiolino” (1952).
A wealth of materials accompany the profile of each car: technical specifications, a selection of archival documents that reconstruct their histories and newly commissioned artworks for research projects showcased in immersive and interactive environments. The volume is completed by an extensive iconographic section that highlights the sculptural power of the automobiles, along with text contributions by the curators, who reinterpret the museum’s heritage from a cross-disciplinary and contemporary perspective.