From Beaulieu to Stuttgart – The World’s Best Motorsport Museums

Motorsport is a hugely popular hobby or career for millions of people across the globe, and has gripped people since the 1900s, with circuits developing from dirt tracks and open street circuits, to purpose-built multi-million pound facilities. Because of this, the need for faster, more powerful, more advanced cars has always been existent, and when the cars or bikes get outdated, there is a need to store them.

Luckily for the fans, museums have popped up all over the globe, showing off the history, machinery and the legends which drove them, teaching the new, and helping the old remember, why they love Motorsport.

Places such as Mount Panorama, Le Mans, Spa, Monza, Indianapolis and Silverstone have become synonymous with heritage and memorable moments, and no matter where you are in the world, you are never far from a motorsport event, a race circuit, and the need for speed and adrenaline.

Brooklands Motor Museum, Weybridge, UK

The name Brooklands means different things to different people. There are people who are unaware of the history, and what this place started, whereas others will have relatives that would have raced, and ultimately gave their lives, on the famous banking that still exists on the circuit premises. Walking through the gates, you can tread on the tyre marks left from race cars that flew round the 100ft wide, 2.75 mile banked oval that stood here, of which only the finish straight and ‘Members banking’ still stand

Races took place from 1912-1914 and 1927 and 1939, and it was at these races where names such as ‘The Bentley Boys’ and Malcolm Campbell, and cars such as the Bentley 4.5 litre and Napier Railton became famous. It was stopped at the commencement of the second world war, never to reopen, and was sold to Vickers-Armstrongs ltd in 1946. But the history here would continue to be made, contributing to the aviation industry, building the majority of Concorde, as well as other civilian aircraft throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. The collection includes a wide variety of vehicles, from a Hawker Hurricane and BAC Concorde to the Napier Railton and Bentley 4.5 litre that ran here

Musee des 24 heures des mans, Le Mans, France

Another museum where the name means as much as the collection, this is a museum of the most famous race in the world, as well as one of the most difficult. Driven round the Circuit De La Sarthe, the 24 hours of Le Mans is fast, gruelling and engaging, as well as meaning a lot to any driver who stands at the top at 5pm Sunday. Stories have been made at this event, as well as hearts being broken here. The museum, showing the history of L’Automobile Club Oest, or ACO, takes you on a visual path of which dreams are made from. Showcasing some of the most beautiful, fastest machines to have driven round the circuit, you will be tripping over your jaw.

Highlights include the Ferrari 166MM, a car that famously won the 1947 Le Mans, despite a worn out clutch, an oil leak, and accident damage, by more than a lap, and it wasn’t even backed by Ferrari. The MM comes from Mile Miglia, a race in Italy which covers 1000km. There are also two Bentleys in the collection, one being the 3 Litre from 1924, and the Speed 8 from 2003. As you can tell, the machinery here is incredible, both in value and history, and definitely not to be missed.

Shikoku Automobile Museum, Konan, Japan

A remarkable facility, this unimpressive looking building houses one of the most amazing collections in the world. Started by a successful Toyota dealer in 2001, this collection is kept in better than new condition, with dazzling chrome to reflection clear aluminium.

Museums showing off car collections are rare in Japan, as it is not in their culture, and everything about this museum shouts private and secretive-it doesn’t even have a website. But, after scouring the website, photos emerge of some of the rarest cars from across the globe, as well as exclusive supercars and race cars, and a fair share of motorbikes. Highlights include an Alfa 155 DTM car, two Toyota 2000GTs and the only Alfa Romeo TZ1 in Japan.

National Motor Racing Museum, Bathurst, Australia

Celebrating the rich history of Australian motor racing, and set in one of the most famous areas in Australian motor racing, this museum has a mouth watering collection of race cars from the likes of endurance racing, rally and of course V8 Supercars. With over 100 cars and bikes, from a Chevy Camaro to a Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, this is a historic collection as you learn the rich history Australia have in motor racing. Experience memorabilia taking you through one of Motorsport’s Greatest rivalries, Ford v Holden and much more.

Porsche Museum, Stuttgart, Germany

With over 100 cars celebrating the history of this German manufacturer in both motorsport and on the road, it will show you Porsche didn’t just make the 911. Adding to this, it is directly over the road to the Porsche factory, which means there is a very good chance you will see a new Porsche rolling out of the gates. There is a Porsche 356 Speedster, for example, a Porsche 917 Le Mans and even a 919 roadster among the exhibits. One of the nice points about this museum is the fact that it is in Chronological order. Finally, you can then book a drive with a Porsche, taking you on a route through Stuttgart, and onto the unrestricted Autobahn.

Mercedes World, Stuttgart, Germany

Also in Stuttgart, this museum is a huge walk through history of one of the biggest and most influential car brands of all time. Experience some of the greatest cars of the marque, such as the 190E Cosworth and the 190SL, as well as some the manufacturers greatest racing cars, such as the Sauber C10 and the F1 cars. There are more than 160 vehicles covering more than 13000sq km, as well as exhibitions on the history of the Mercedes S Class, one of the most influential cars of the 20th century.

Ferrari Museum, Modena, Italy

A museum that seems to have been created for the love of the fan, this museum is located in the home of the Ferrari, Maranello, and allows you to walk through an art gallery of the most beautiful cars ever built, driven and raced. From the Testarossa to the Enzo, from the Dino to the 250 GTO, this museum is a must see for every car fan. If that isn’t enough you can get a tour of where Ferrari’s are made, and a tour of where they are crucified and tested to destruction. And to top it all off, there is a room of F1 cars, featuring, of course, some of Michael Schumachers’.

Indianapolis Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, USA
One of the lesser known museums, but one of the most special, the museum at Indianapolis Motor Speedway features more than 25 cars that have crossed the Brickyard finish line 1st. As well as the vehicles, there are loads of memorabilia, and also the ability to learn about the history of this famous circuit.

Michael Schumacher Private Collection, Cologne, Germany

A museum that is one of the most meaningful, it allows you to explore the collection of a great driver, one that won 7 drivers Championships, as well as countless victories, pole positions, podiums and race starts. Explore some of the memorable F1 cars from the late 1990s and early 2000s, as well as his Formula Ford, which he started with, and the Mercedes, which he ended his career with in 2010.
Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, Philadelphia, US.

Assembled by Dr. Frederick Simeone, the museum brings together one of the greatest collection of sports and race cars anywhere in the world. Built from a passion of speed, each car of the collection has been acquired out of desire, love and affection towards that vehicle, and it can be seen throughout the museum. The huge variety covers everything from the Utah Salt Flats to Le Mans to NASCAR, and almost every manufacturer imaginable is featured. Cars such as a Shelby Daytona Coupe, a 1997 Ford Thunderbird NASCAR and two BMW 328s take my eye from this extensive collection.

National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, England

Arguably one of the most famous museums in England, Beaulieu is located on the outskirts of the New Forest, and has one of the coolest collections of anywhere in the world. From Land Speed Record Holders to F1 Title Holders, from Superbike race winners to family saloons, this collection has it all. From the McLaren MP4/21 F1 car to the Rover 75 1.8, there isn’t much more varied than that.

Motorcycles exist there too, featuring Moto GP, Motocross and much more. There are also a variety of vans through the decades to take your fancy, as well as cars from the big screen such as Dell Boys Van, the Ford Anglia from Harry Potter and Mr Bean’s Mini.