The Málaga Automotive Museum (Museo Automovilístico), in the iconic architectural complex in the city of Málaga that is known as the La Tabacalera building—a former tobacco factory whose cornerstone was laid on 29 July, 1923—is more than just a museum. It is a venue for entertainment and diversion, arts and culture that within its six thousand square metres and modern facilities houses one of the most important car collections in Europe.
Maga Collection boasts more than 120 vintage cars that have been restored to the highest standard. Of these, 88 are being shown currently and for the first time to the public in thematic exhibitions illustrating the aesthetic and mechanical evolution of the automobile over three centuries.
The Málaga Automotive Museum, which "shows the automobile as a work of art", has other collections that are exclusive and to be found nowhere else in the world, such as "The Gallery of Motors", made up of an assortment of fifteen motors decorated in themes that differ according to their models and eras, and the collection known as "From Balenciaga to Schiaparelli", with a select sample of more than three hundred period haute couture hats, hatboxes and suitcases.
Fabulous works of contemporary art, designed with wooden wheels from the nineteenth century, tyres from the 1930's and spectacular headlights are just a few of the materials with which such artists as Tony Grilo have José Vilacova have worked and that illustrate to visitors thirsty for new experiences the majestic fascination that the machine holds for mankind.
The museum was conceived as a new leisure and cultural venue with the objective of supplementing the city's cultural and creative offer. Monographs on motors and fashions, exhibits of prestigious makes of cars, collaboration with national and international museums with regard to exhibition contents, fashion and design competitions for creative young people, exhibitions of automobiles owned by private collectors, photographic retrospectives, a collection of hats designed by Silva Bruschini exclusively in honour of Málaga…
This example of a living museum facilitates the visitor's relationship with the vehicles that make up part of its collection by renting them out with a driver. Right in Málaga, with no need to travel abroad, one can experience the exclusivity and luxury of vehicles with such fascinating histories as the one in which Grace Kelly rode upon arrival in the Principality of Monaco days before her marriage to Prince Rainier.
Nocturnal visits with performances, thematic dinners, theatrical productions that recount the life of Enzo Ferrari, photographs of famous gangsters and other personalities, business gatherings, private meetings…
In short, a new venue for all who are able to enjoy a trip through time, and the beauty that draws us to cars, motors, hats and works of art that we would never have got to know if this project had not become a reality.
The collections concentrate on the Belle Époque, the 1920's, the Art Deco of the 1930's, the Dolce Vita, designer and family cars and those with alternative energy, and tunings.
There are also exhibits of motors from the 20's, 30's and 50's by such fabled makers as Chrysler, Chevrolet and Packard that have been restored and converted into genuine works of art, as well as fifteen motors decorated with themes pertaining to their models or eras, and limited editions with Swarovski crystals or thirty thousand miniature mirrors.
The Málaga Automotive Museum also offers the opportunity to rent some of the models in its collection for weddings, parties, etc. These include, among others, the Cadillac El Dorado, the Excalibur like those of Schwarzenegger and Stallone, the "Flower Power" similar to that of John Lennon, a gilt Bentley and a black Rolls decorated with Swarovski crystals, etc.
