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Museums

Museo del Automóvil - Colección Nicolini

4.7 · 952 reviews
A quiet, nostalgic space dedicated to mechanical history.
Museo del Automóvil - Colección Nicolini, Av. La Molina, cdra. 37 Urb, La Molina, Peru
Interesting facts
1

The collection includes the oldest functional car in Peru, a 1901 De Dion-Bouton.

2

Jorge Nicolini began his personal car restoration hobby in the 1960s before transitioning it into a public museum.

3

The museum features a 1928 Ford Model A that has been used in various Peruvian film productions.

4

The facility maintains an on-site workshop dedicated to the preservation and mechanical restoration of the collection.

5

It contains several rare pre-war European cars that were imported to Peru by aristocratic families during the early 20th century.

6

The exhibition includes non-automotive transport artifacts, such as historic bicycles and period-appropriate fuel pumps.

Overview

The Museo del Automóvil Colección Nicolini houses one of the most extensive private vintage automobile collections in South America. Founded by Jorge Nicolini, the collection features over 120 restored vehicles spanning the late 19th century to the 1980s. The exhibition is housed in a purpose-built facility in the La Molina district of Lima. It showcases a diverse array of marques including Ford, Rolls-Royce, Packard, and rare European sports cars. Many vehicles in the collection are maintained in running condition and participate in local historic rallies. The museum layout is organized chronologically, documenting the evolution of automotive engineering and design. Visitors can observe various coachwork styles, from early horseless carriages to mid-century luxury sedans.

Photo spot

The central hall where the rarest antique brass-era cars are parked in a circular formation.

Insider tips

Check their official social media or website before heading out, as they occasionally host private events.

Bring a camera with a decent wide-angle lens, as the collection is densely packed.

Engage with the on-site guides; they are often deeply knowledgeable about the history of specific local car models.

What to avoid

Do not expect a modern, high-tech interactive museum experience; this is a traditional, curated display of machinery.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays; often closed during major national holidays.

Etiquette

Do not touch the vehicles, as most are preserved in pristine, high-maintenance paint and leather condition.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid weekend school groups and private tour parties.
Address
Museo del Automóvil - Colección Nicolini, Av. La Molina, cdra. 37 Urb, La Molina, Peru
-12.087, -76.908
Get directions
Details
Key exhibits1901 De Dion-Bouton, early Ford Model T, and diverse pre-war luxury European marques.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid weekend school groups and private tour parties..

The central hall where the rarest antique brass-era cars are parked in a circular formation.

Close by you'll find Estadio Monumental "U", Parroquia Divino Niño - Santuario arquidiocesano La Molina, Laguna.

Peru

About San Isidro District, Lima