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WE ARE CLOSED TO RETURN RENEWED!

The MNACTEC will be closed for construction from October 20, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
We will continue to be active with activities for educational centers, online resources, MNACTEC Bus and social networks!

The Automotive Revolution

The early days of the motor industry in Catalonia

Long-term exhibition

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.