The “Museum on the Road” initiative returns on 8 November to the Museu do Caramulo, inviting visitors to embark on a true journey through the history of motoring passion, tracing a path from the very beginnings of the automobile to the threshold of the 21st century.
Among the earliest vehicles on display will be the 1902 Oldsmobile Curved Dash, the small car that pioneered mass production in the United States and was born from Ransom Olds’ dislike of the smell of horses – a curious detail that would forever change the course of transport history. This will be followed by the 1906 De Dion-Bouton AL, an expression of French mechanical genius and a living testimony to an era in which the automobile was still discovering its own path.
From the Second World War come two unmissable icons: the 1944 Willys-Overland MB ¼ Ton, arguably the most famous military vehicle of all time, a symbol of the robustness and simplicity that defined the Allied effort; and the 1944 Ford Universal Carrier, a term covering a family of light tracked armoured vehicles used on multiple fronts for both transport and tactical support.
The 1950s bring a blend of elegance and performance through a diverse selection of vehicles. The 1952 BSA Gold Star represents the pinnacle of British motorcycling, combining lightness, power, and sporting prestige that made it legendary on both track and road. The 1954 Norton International 40 showcases British technical mastery, notable for its innovative Featherbed frame, which housed the engine and gearbox to deliver exceptional handling both on road and in competition.
From the 1970s, the 1973 Maserati Merak, presented at the Paris Motor Show a year earlier, was the Italian marque’s direct response to rivals Lamborghini Urraco and Ferrari Dino 308 GT4, combining Giugiaro’s refined styling with the elegance and performance typical of the brand.
The 1987 Alfa Romeo 75 1.8 Turbo complements the journey with a special chapter: launched in 1985 to celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary, it was the last car produced solely by Alfa Romeo before its acquisition by the FIAT group, symbolising the end of an era of independence and genuine mechanical passion.
Joining them all is the iconic Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v Gruppo A (1991) and, as is now tradition, there will also be a surprise car, whose identity will only be revealed at the moment, promising to keep alive the curiosity and charm of this celebration of automotive history.
Meanwhile, the Museu do Caramulo will host the exhibitions “The Fittipaldi Collection” and “Second World War in Colour and Live”, offering visitors an engaging and immersive way to extend their journey through history.
The Museum on the Road is supported by Shell and begins at 10 a.m. outside the museum, running throughout the day. To enjoy this unique and memorable experience, visitors simply need to purchase a voucher, available online via the museum shop or on the day itself, the symbolic value of which goes entirely towards the maintenance and preservation of the Museu do Caramulo’s collection.