Caramulo Museum Marks 70 Years As Portugal’s Automotive Treasure
In 2025, the Caramulo Museum will celebrate seven decades dedicated to preserving Portugal’s automotive legacy. What began as João de Lacerda’s personal pursuit has grown into one of the world’s most respected collections of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, telling a vivid story of mobility, progress, and national history.
A Legacy Born From a Ford Model T
The museum’s origins trace back to 1955, when João de Lacerda restored a neglected 1925 Ford Model T. His passion quickly evolved into a collection that attracted public curiosity. By 1959, on the suggestion of President Américo Thomaz, the Caramulo Automobile Museum officially opened inside the Abel de Lacerda Foundation building. Few automotive museums existed at the time, which made the initiative especially bold. A new purpose-built building followed in 1970, designed to ensure every vehicle remained accessible for maintenance and fully operational.
History Kept Alive Through Motion
The museum is known for one defining principle. Every vehicle runs. João de Lacerda believed a non-functional car lost its essence, and this philosophy endures. Many of the century-old machines are still driven around Caramulo and regularly appear in prestigious events such as the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the Monte Carlo Rally, and the Louis Vuitton China Run.
The museum also fuels its own traditions through events like the Caramulo Motorfestival, the Founders’ Race by Cartrack, and the Rider classic rally. These gatherings give visitors the rare chance to witness historic engines performing exactly as intended.
Icons, Milestones, and Portuguese History
Approaching 200 vehicles, the collection spans from the 1898 Cudell De Dion tricycle to the 2015 LaFerrari. It includes legendary marques such as Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar, along with models on loan like the exclusive collection of Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi.
Several vehicles carry a deep connection to Portuguese history. Notable examples include the 1886 Benz Dreirad, widely regarded as the first gasoline-powered car; the victorious Bugatti Type 35B; the armored Mercedes-Benz 770 Grosser and Cadillac Series 75 used by Salazar; the Rolls-Royce Phantom III that transported global heads of state during their visits to Portugal; the Pegaso Z102 gifted to President Craveiro Lopes; and the Chrysler Imperial made famous in the “Escape from Caxias Prison.”
A Cultural Institution With Enduring Purpose
Alongside its collections of art, bicycles, motorcycles, and toys, the Caramulo Museum stands as a cultural space shaped by the vision of João de Lacerda, who helped spark a national appreciation for automotive preservation. His influence continues to guide the museum as it inspires new generations through exhibitions, events, and international competitions.
Seventy years on, the Caramulo Museum remains a living institution with its engines running strong, honoring the past while keeping the spirit of automotive passion alive for all who visit.
Photo Credits: Museu do Caramulo
