Villafranca di Verona, 10th October 2018 – For the international historic motoring world, these Awards are paramount to cinema Oscars: being one of the 5 finalists in the “Museum of the Year” section is, in itself, an extraordinary recognition which places Museo Nicolis solidly among the International Elite of cultural institutions within the motoring sector.
Notification of nomination, which came as a complete surprise, confirms that the facility in Verona, which opened in 2000 to crown founder Luciano Nicolis’ “dream of a lifetime”, has not only won the admiration and approval of its Italian and foreign visitors over the years, but has also earned an excellent reputation and the appreciation of enthusiasts, collectors, scholars and cultural institutions that, in so many countries, celebrate the motoring legend and protect is heritage, history and passions.
“It is a great honour for us to be considered as one of the world’s most prestigious motoring Museums,” says Silvia Nicolis.“Being among the finalists, together with leading international institutions like Cité de l’Automobile (France), Petersen Automotive Museum (USA), Torre Loizaga (SpainL), Riga Motoring Museum (Latvia,) is a -competition- among big names that honours us and our country.”
In any case, whatever the final result, those participating at The Historic Motoring Awards event in London, in the splendid setting of the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Hotel, will be indisputable key players in the international Motoring world, which is paying them public tribute.
The tension is mounting and, for many, this “Motoring version of Oscar night” will be unforgettable.
Museo Nicolis is a treasure chest of two-hundred rare masterpieces of mechanics and style resulting from the inspiration of brilliant designers, which contain the fundamental references of motoring history. Many prestigious brands are on display, such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati, Bugatti, Avions Voisin, Darracq, Isotta Fraschini, to mention but a few. Unique pieces that represent the evolution of cars: valuable elements selected with a precise standard and that, ideally together, compile a tangible encyclopaedia in a universal language. This is what makes it such an enthralling, modern, globalized and popular cultural location. Refined collections, preserved and chosen with farsightedness by the founder, Luciano Nicolis, as proof of man’s ingenuity and art: the automobile, with innumerable brand identities, in a transmitted progression, placed at the disposal of the community.
Silvia Nicolis, the founder’s daughter and President of the Museum, assisted by a young and professional team, has added an innovative touch, a vision that enhances and extends the museum’s representation. An itinerary that, thanks to the great variety of materials, also includes thematic displays with a considerable humanistic and cultural imprint. A unique heritage due to the scope of themes involved, brimming with ideas that range from mechanics, to design, to craftsmanship and even the history of society, fashion, cinema and art.
The original extent of the exhibition offer affirms Museo Nicolis’ role as a centre for global relations as well as its natural inclination for spreading and promoting the love for technology and mechanics in all its forms.
In fact, Museo Nicolis is not only synonymous of classic cars: there are actually eight collections which, besides the 200 automobiles, include 100 motorcycles and 110 bicycles; rare airplanes and 600 valuable cameras and typewriters, 100 musical instruments, rare Formula One steering wheels and other items of human ingenuity: proof of mechanical evolution in its most beautiful forms. The new and ample itinerary enhances the museum’s patrimony through in-depth themes, such as the current “Passione Volante” Steering Wheel Exhibition, which focuses on the exclusive Formula 1 steering wheel collection: 110 items autographed by famous racing drivers and just as many Sport and Gran Turismo steering wheels, show how the driving system has evolved. The experience accompanies a display of over 100 cars, motorcycles, bicycles, milestone airplanes from the 1900s, all with their own versions of a steering wheel. A Museum that offers the public the chance to discover the similarity between the various types of scientific progress by declining them in every possible manner with infinite interpretations.
Thanks to the scientific offer and the uniqueness of its patrimony, Museo Nicolis has now become a reference point for the Business Community, the international media and the academic world. Its collaboration extends to prestigious cultural organizations and initiatives that aim to promote the territory.
Editor note
Museo Nicolis is one of the most important private museums in Italy and Europe. It preserves 8 vintage collections: a hundred or so cars, motorcycles and bicycles, cameras and typewriters, small airplanes, travel accessories and a large number of vintage items, all works of human craftsmanship and ingenuity. An exciting journey through time set among 6,000 square metres, over 1 km of exhibition itinerary. Museo Nicolis is a one-of-a-kind experience and is described as emblematic of modern business culture. The Nicolis family has, in fact, been in the business of raw and secondary material recovery for over 70 years and the family’s company, Lamacart, in Villafranca di Verona, is leader in the recovery and recycling of paper. Concepts such as “collection” and “recycling”, which have been the mainstay of the paper company’s growth, are the same as those that nurtured Luciano Nicolis’ passion for collecting, allowing him to see “jewels” where others saw only scrap and helping him in his untiring search that led him to find vintage cars in every corner of the world, restore them and bring them back to their original splendour. A passion that has returned a precious patrimony to the history of the automobile, as well as other sectors, that would otherwise have been lost forever.
Where: Museo Nicolis – Villafranca di Verona via Postumia, 71
When: Open from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Opening times: from 10 am to 6 pm
Contacts: 045 6303289
PRESS OFFICE
Giulia Brandiele
press@museonicolis.com M. +39 342 9158700
