Malta Classic Car Collection

The Classic Car Museum in Malta is far more interesting than you might think. Guidebooks are silent about it, and the location itself is not exactly inviting. Yet what you see inside may turn out to be the strongest memory of your stay, especially if you have a drop of petrol in your veins.

To find the Malta Classic Car Collection, you need to head to Qawra, which takes half an hour if you start from the capital, Valletta, to the south. You enter the tiny reception, which also houses the ticket desk, as if going down into a basement. A moment later it becomes clear why - the museum occupies two underground levels of a huge building. The large halls full of exhibits cannot be seen from outside, which heightens the contrast between the appeal of the collection and the unassuming entrance. Sometimes a beautiful vintage Bugatti stands by the entrance, and then it serves as a clear "signpost" as you walk down the street. The main bus stop in Qawra is only 150 metres away.

Triumph TR3, Fiats, Corvette and Alfa Romeo

The collection opens with a 1958 Triumph TR3. The model was a great sales success, with almost 75,000 built between 1955 and 1962. It should come as no surprise that a British model takes pride of place. To this day, Malta keeps up some British traditions, the most visible of which is driving on the left.

The next part of the exhibition is taken up by Fiats. Each one is worth a moment's stop. There is a 1962 Fiat 600 Vignale and its contemporary, the Fiat 1200 Cabriolet. A little younger, dating from 1970, is the Fiat 500L "Lusso" on display. The latter is up for sale: for 8,500 euros you can become the owner of a truly unusual car.

Although the display of cars from across the Atlantic is limited to just two models, it is the Chevrolet Corvette that seems one of the most interesting cars in the whole exhibition. The "Corvette" series dates back to 1953, and the model on display was built in 1962. The champagne-coloured car has a 5.4-litre V8 engine producing 250 horsepower. It was painstakingly rebuilt over 3 years, and even the engine bay is in perfect condition. Proudly displayed next to the car is the collection of awards it has won at concours d'elegance events.

Several Alfa Romeo models catch the eye, and not only because they are painted blood red with black interiors. Their body lines and interior details represent the Italian school of design, considered one of the best in the world.

A Fiat 500, Jaguar E-types and a Rolls-Royce

Going down to the lowest level, an idyllic scene unfolds before your eyes. In the shade of a charming pink Fiat 500, a lady relaxes on a deckchair while children go fishing. The picnic atmosphere is completed by a "parked" motorboat, a bicycle, water skis and a picnic basket - all in period style!

The lower part of the exhibition is once again a nod to British motoring. Several Jaguar E-types stand there. This time red interiors contrast with black bodies. Certificates of authenticity are displayed next to the cars. The "Jaguar Heritage Trust" confirms the specification of each particular car as it left the factory.

At the very end of the visit, it is worth taking a moment to look at the details of the venerable Rolls-Royce on display. The way the door handles, lamps, steering wheel, window winders and upholstery used to look gives plenty of food for thought - about where motoring once was and where it is heading...

Fuel pumps, opening hours and ticket prices

What really deserves credit when visiting the Malta Classic Car Collection is that it does not limit itself to showing cars. There are plenty of photographs, historic fuel pumps, engines, unusual number plates, travel accessories and period costumes. There are also several hundred model cars.

For many years the museum was associated with Carol Galea, who was highly respected among collectors. After his death in June last year, his son Mark took over the care of the collection. The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 14:00. Admission costs 10 euros, and children pay 4.50 euros.

If you want to know more about Malta, follow this link to my article about Maltese food.