Take a trip down memory lane at Istanbul's classic car museums

Automobiles are generally a passion for men, but some of them, especially businessmen, have a lifelong romance with classic cars, which is apparent at thematic museums around Istanbul. Although their number is very limited, a treasure trove of rare classic cars, a significant part of which were brought from abroad, are seen at these museums, where families can visit on both weekdays and on the weekend. Some of them are not all about the cars, but includes a range of interests such as collections of petrol memorabilia and related accessories. Visit and have a look at the cars from different ages at any of the museums suggested below that are sure to bring back old memories.

Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum

After enjoying a weekend breakfast, you may want an indoor space where you can have some fun. For classic car buffs, the Ural Ataman Classic Car Museum in the coastal neighborhood of Tarabya in Istanbul is a good choice. The museum, which features a 2,000-square-meter exhibition area features more than 60 vehicles including motorcycles and trucks dating back mostly to the 1950s and 1960s. Opened in 2012, the museum has a lively atmosphere full of nostalgia. Aside from classic cars, visitors can see hundreds of various industrial and automotive paraphernalia, such as fuel pumps, jukeboxes and wheel covers. Situated within a glass building, the museum is lit by neon panels that set the mood of the era. The cars on display are divided into different sections. In the first section, American cars are on display accompanied by a restaurant designed to be reminiscent of the 1950s. The upper floor houses European Cars, while other spaces in the museum host a library on automobiles, a piano and a miniature race track as well as other collectables. Ural Ataman, the museum's founder, was influenced by the beauty of classic cars in his childhood. He used to travel in his father's 1946 Ford, which also had a big place in his childhood days. The museum is only open on Saturdays.

Mehmet Arsay Classic Car Museum

With a private collection ranging from an 1899 Decauville to a 1978 Porsche, the Mehmet Arsay Classic Car Museum is open on Saturday and Sunday. The concept of an automobile museum did not gain popularity until the 1990s. Arsay, a car collector, founded Turkey's first car museum in 1994. Lying in Istanbul's İkitelli district, the museum displays nostalgic cars mostly brought from abroad. Among them, there is a staff car of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, which was renovated with the consent of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). A workshop opened behind the museum is where all cars undergo thorough renovation and maintenance. Cengiz Arsay, a businessman, established the museum in memory of his father. He frequently uses his classic cars, and is happy to see people, especially youth, showing interest in cars.

Rahmi Koç Museum

Located on the banks of the Golden Horn, the Rahmi Koç Museum is not a dedicated classic car museum per se, but it displays a number of nostalgic cars from different periods to visitors. Especially dedicated to transportation, communications and industry, the museum displays car models such as the Ford Model T, the Mini, Citroen DS, Volkswagen Beetle, 1939 model Cabriolet, a 1938 model Rolls-Royce and a Porsche 911. Representing milestones in Turkish automotive history, there are two Anadols at the museum's classic car section. Aside from these, an Italian design Bubble Car, one of the most successful vehicles after World War II, as well as a BMW Isetta 300 and one of the earliest racing cars of Ford are on display. As a small car, the Isetta 300 was produced for short travels after World War II.

Sabri Artam Classic Car Museum

Various classic cars are on display at the Sabri Artam Foundation (SAV) Car Museum situated in Istanbul's Ataşehir district on the Asian side. Opened in 1998, the five-story museum introduces different car models displayed chronologically beginning with those produced in the early 20th century until the present. These vehicles reflect the character of the country of origin, period technical specialization and even bear the historical traces of the events that they witnessed. The museum's collection was curated over a course of 20 years. All cars underwent the necessary repairs and renovations before they were put on display. The ground floor is allocated to cars that were produced after the 1960s, while the second floor features cars dating back to the 1930s. Antique cars are seen on the third floor and the fourth floor displays model classic cars. The SAV Museum is the first museum that was accredited by the FIVA (Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens), and the museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday.