A century of motoring in Montevideo
The Automobile Club of Uruguay is a century-old institution that has played a prominent role in fostering the country's passion for motoring. Alongside the many services it provides to its members, it remains actively involved in organising events centred on classic vehicles. Its headquarters in Montevideo houses the Automobile Museum, open to visitors free of charge. Inaugurated in 1983, it is dedicated to the memory of Eduardo Iglesias, one of the pioneers of motoring in Uruguay.
The museum displays its cars in chronological order, starting with examples from the early twentieth century, some of which were among the first few dozen cars to arrive in the country. American cars predominate among the thirty or so vehicles on display. Naturally, there is a Ford Model T and a pair of Ford Model As, still such a common sight on Uruguayan roads: a Double Phaeton and a Cabriolet.
Continuing with the Ford marque, two 1937 convertibles stand out, both in excellent condition, along with a Thunderbird. Among the other American manufacturers, I was particularly impressed by a magnificent grey 1941 Studebaker Champion Coupé.
The post-war European models include a Talbot-Lago, a couple of Jaguars and a Riley.
The museum also has a small section devoted to competition cars, featuring several European models. Among those that caught my eye were a Panhard Dyna, a DKW 1000, a Renault 8 and a FIAT 125. And with Argentina just across the border, an IKA Torino was a must. This white two-door example inevitably brought to mind the cars that took part in the Nürburgring expedition.
The Peugeot 404 is still a familiar sight on the streets of Argentina and Uruguay. The museum's red example was in exceptional condition, rarely seen nowadays. The same could be said of the green 1965 Pontiac LeMans parked alongside it.
As always when I come across scale models and motoring memorabilia, I find myself captivated by them. Finally, it is worth highlighting the museum's first breakdown and assistance vehicle, a 1925 Ford Model T, as well as a 1948 Fordson that later joined the club's fleet.
A visit to this museum is a must for any motoring enthusiast, particularly in a country where the passion for cars runs so deep.
