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I was in Malta for a few days holiday a couple of weeks ago. Great place to visit, quirky and the people are friendly. They love their cars (and bikes!), there too. The Island has the highest ratio of cars per head in Europe apparently!
There is a new(ish) car museum now openin the town of Qawra and I snook off from family holiday duty to check it out:
The whole museum is in a large underground bunker come garage beneath an apartment block
Immaculate and varied collection of cars in a different setting to the UK norm
There was some modern stuff like this Ariel Atom too
Bikes on show too, like these 1960’s offering from NSU and BSA
This 1960’s BMW was displayed in an ‘as found’ type setting
Malta was a British colony until 1964 and the influence remains strong to this day…they drive on the left too for example
Rare Panhard
British Leyland had an assembly plant there until the 1970’s turning out cars like this neat Austin 1100
Stunning 190SL in a period setting
A bit pink…
Triumph cars were also assembled on the island for a few years, this Mk3 Spitfire being the last one off the line
Period pieces like TV’s, radios and jukeboxs were also dotted about the place
Lots of Scooters too. Did you know that Lambretta was owned by British Leyland for several years?
Lovely Fiat Spyder, shame about the clunky federal bumpers
I wanted to take this home with me
USA got a look in too with this glorious and very rare 2 seater Ford ThunderbirdThere are over 60 cars on display and some lovely examples of cars like NSUs, Jags etc. The museum even had a couple of little cinemas showing car related films. I really enjoyed myself and was in there for the best part of 3 hours. Not bad for €7!
Location:
The Malta Classic Car Collection Klamari Street, Qawra. Malta.Looks like a good way to spend a few hours, and away from the usual holiday stuff… Some interesting vehicles too
Didn’t know Triumph were assembled there.
Some nice cars and some quirky pieces scattered around too, thanks for posting the pics.
No yellow buses in there yet? Damn shame they were taken off the road in Malta last year, although when I drove behind a few I could see why, very polluting. They would have been better converted to hybrid but most were privately owned I think.
Didn’t know Triumph were assembled there.
Some nice cars and some quirky pieces scattered around too, thanks for posting the pics.
No yellow buses in there yet? Damn shame they were taken off the road in Malta last year, although when I drove behind a few I could see why, very polluting. They would have been better converted to hybrid but most were privately owned I think.
I didn’t know about the Triumph facility there until fairly recently either
No classic ‘Malta bus’ in there, which did surprise me a little. I did see a couple running around and one was being used as a gift shop roadside. Nobody doing in trips in one which I think is a shame. The buses are all new Chinese supplied or ex Transport for London Merc bendy buses now. Very bland in their corporate Arriva livery…you could be in Peterboro!
so I’ve been told…. (just today actually) lol, will take a gander in June when over there
Good stuff, just go on the Citytours open top bus tour thing, its crap!
I do enjoy a crap! lol
I meant to say don’t about the city bus stuff!
I stayed in Mellieha, which is lovely and boasts some decent resturants. I took a boat tour out to Gozo too, on a boat called the Hornblower that sails from a place called Bugibba, a charming little port. Swimming in the Blue Lagoon is amazing
There is a cracking aircraft museum worth visiting too, and the Lascaris War Rooms under Valletta are great too.
Keep an eye out for open air concerts in Valetta too, I saw the Australian Pink Floyd there in 2012 who put on a stunning show
Valetta itself is a beautiful place and the Grand Harbour amazing
Above drink plenty of Cisk!
https://www.maltaviationmuseum.com/
https://www.lascariswarrooms.com/
More information on the British Leyland car assembly in Malta
https://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/around-the-world/around-the-world-malta/
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