The Automotive Revolution

The exhibition "The Automotive Revolution" presents a representative sample of vehicles manufactured in Catalonia between 1890 and 1936, a particularly notable period for Catalonia's automotive industry.

Catalonia played a pioneering role in automotive manufacturing on the Iberian peninsula. From the late 19th century up to the 1930s, Catalan industry developed everything from the first self-propelled vehicles in the Spanish state to the ultimate exponents of the motor industry on the international stage, with such flagship marques as Hispano-Suiza and Elizalde.

The exhibition features the following Catalan-manufactured vehicles:

• A replica of the Bonet (1890), the first vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine to be made on the Iberian peninsula .
• The Villalbí (1904), the first motorcycle manufactured in the Spanish state.
• The HP16 (1919) and T60RLA (1936) cars made by Hispano-Suiza, an international byword for luxury and technical prowess.
• An Elizalde 23/26 chassis (1920-22), a vehicle manufacturer that stood out for its constant technical innovation.
• The Nacional Pescara (1929), a racing car which proved hugely successful in international competitions.