A retro Soviet taxi hub has been reborn as a globally acclaimed vintage auto museum with 110 rare exhibits and interactive events. Located in the historic Vilnius Taxi Park, Lithuania, the Auto Museum Vilnius has been welcoming visitors for just over a year.
However, the building’s history stretches back to 1974 when the Vilnius taxi fleet started operating in this functionalist-style structure in the Naujininkai district. Its distinctive white facade with dark window strips stood out in the city panorama, while the interior featured two intriguing spiral ramps as central architectural elements.
During Soviet times, every taxi in the city was state-owned, and this building housed everything the fleet needed: administration offices, repair workshops, car washes, garages, a gas station, and a control point.
After Lithuania regained its independence, the taxi park lost its original function, was privatised, and fell into disrepair. In recent years, it has also hosted art performances, such as the opera Sun & Sea, which was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. However, new owners decided to revive the historic site, returning its soul – the cars.
Atmosphere
The Auto Museum Vilnius has an exceptional atmosphere. When not functioning as a museum, many found the building’s ambiance eerie, suggesting it would be ideal for filming horror or dystopian movies, like A Clockwork Orange. However, the museum’s creators envisioned the spiral ramps as a historical timeline of transportation achievements. As vintage cars began to fill the space, the spookiness vanished.
“We aimed to create a world-class automotive museum in the heart of Vilnius. Our goal was to showcase the evolution of transport, starting from early bicycles and carriages from various countries, and progressing through the decades to modern cars. In our 4500 sq. m. museum, visitors can see the first motorcycle ever made, learn about the introduction of electric cars, and discover other technological breakthroughs. These innovations, sometimes forgotten, are now presented as new ideas in today’s automotive scene,” says Povilas Eitutis, head of the Auto Museum Vilnius.
The museum has over 110 exhibits from 10 different countries, including vehicles once used by monarchs, popes, and presidents. Here you can find more than 70 well-known brands like Ford, Winton, Chalmers, Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln, Studebaker, Rolls-Royce, Packard, Oakland, Delage, Delahaye, Hispano-Suiza, Volkswagen, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, and Messerschmitt, each representing key moments in the automotive industry’s development.
Ninety percent of the museum’s automobiles are fully operational and have been carefully restored in the museum’s restoration centre. As you wander through the exhibition, it’s as if you go through milestones in the development of technology, car design, and history itself.
Institution
For example, the museum reflects the United Kingdom’s considerable input into the transportation industry. Among the highlights are several pre-World War II Rolls-Royce models, including the Rolls-Royce Phantom II and Phantom III. These vehicles exemplify the epitome of luxury, with the Phantom II often described as an “institution on wheels” by Queen Elizabeth II. The museum’s Phantom II with a beautiful limousine body made in London by Park Ward & Co. Ltd coachbuilder, preserved with its original 1937 paint, offers a glimpse into the opulent world of early 20th-century automotive design, complete with features like a whiskey and cigar compartment tailored for figures such as Winston Churchill.
Another notable exhibit is the Swallow SS1, a precursor to the Jaguar brand. Despite its modest power compared to contemporary sports cars, this unrestored SS1 with its unique patina preserved represents an important moment in automotive history and gives a unique look when rolled out of the factory and the early designs that paved the way for future innovations in the British auto industry.
The museum also features the Sears Motor Buggy, a fascinating piece of American automotive history. Designed by Alvaro S. Krotz in the early 20th century, this vehicle was aimed at local farmers and came as a kit to be assembled by the owner. Despite its innovative approach, the Sears Motor Buggy was overshadowed by the more successful Ford Model T, which became a symbol of mass-produced automotive success.
Within the first year of its existence, the museum quickly gained well-deserved international recognition, earning a place among the world’s top car museums, like respected institutions such as the Brooklands Museum in the United Kingdom.
This recognition is based on comprehensive visitor feedback compiled by Auto Trader, which rated the museum highly for its engaging and educational displays. With a stellar rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google Review, the Auto Museum Vilnius is seventh in the global ranking of car museums. “The best reward for our success is the smiles, positive reviews, and warm relationships with our visitors,” says Eitutis.
In just over a year, the museum has become a key part of the city’s cultural scene, breathing new life into a building that once served the city’s taxis. For those who appreciate the art and history of cars, the museum offers a unique experience, with its carefully curated exhibits and rare finds that capture the essence of automotive excellence.
