Classic car collection

The lively seaside resort of Qawra provides a modern backdrop for this very modern museum collection. Nonetheless, upon entering the museum, one is still taken completely by surprise by the sheer size and quality of this magnificent collection.

Carol Galea, who owns the collection and is the director of the museum, is always happy to chat with visitors and to compare notes with other collectors.

He began collecting cars in the 1970s, starting a lifelong passion that was to culminate in the opening of the museum in 2005. There are no fewer than 70 cars on display, all in perfect running order, and spotlessly maintained. Practically all the cars date from the second half of the 20th century. The most valuable may be the two Ferraris and the Jaguar XK140 Formula 1, but the dearest car to Mr Galea is the 1952 Austin Somerset Coupè that once belonged to his father: the first car he remembers riding in.

A cross-section of the collection may be seen here. Starting from left is an unusual Austin mini pickup. The red car in the foreground is a 1961 Triumph TR3a. The car in front of it is a 1957 Austin Healey. The blur of red beyond the Austin Healey is what Mr Galea lovingly calls the heart of the museum, made up of no fewer than five different Alfa Romeo models, including a rare Giulietta Super Leggera with an aluminium body. A little further to the right, a Jaguar E-Type is parked in front of the Austin Healey.

A particularly interesting vehicle is visible between the two pillars behind the motorcyclist. This is a 1957 BMW Isetta, the archetypal bubble-car from which all other bubble-cars are descended. Moving further to the right, a white 1961 MGA holds the foreground, while across its bonnet, a black example of its successor, the 1967 MGB, may be seen.

The three 1972 Fiat Cinquecentos in the background almost seem to be looking for courage in numbers in the face of the daunting horsepower that surrounds them. They are partly covered by a white Austin Healey Frog-eyed Sprite. The car on the far right is yet another Austin Healey, a 1965 Sprite Mark III.

More importantly than all these vital statistics, however, is the fact that this museum is, first and foremost, about the love of cars and about the role they play in our lives and in our dreams.

This series is appearing every Saturday in collaboration with Miranda Publishers. Photo taken from Museums of Malta 360°, to be launched by Miranda on December 7.

www.mirandabooks.com