On Friday, 1st of July, with a parade of historic vehicles and symbolic cutting of the red ribbon, the reconstructed Riga Motor Museum (RMM) was opened. After a large-scale reconstruction the largest and most modern museum of ancient vehicles in the Baltics will open its doors to visitors tomorrow, on 2nd of July.
The opening ceremony was attended by the minister for transport Uldis Augulis, chairman of the board of Road traffic safety directorate (RTSD) Andris Lukstins, RMM director Aivars Aksenoks and chairman of the board of Latvian Antique automobile club (AAK) Agris Smits.
During the large scale renovation works the interior of the building was completely rebuilt in accordance with modern requirements, and the museum gained larger and improved exhibition premises, a pleasant landscaped environment, as well as ease of access for every visitor. Museum exhibition is organized in a form of an exciting interactive story about unique vehicles, notable persons and the most significant events in the history of automotive industry and humanity alike. Exhibition is located on three floors and covers more than 4000 square meters, and currently it exhibits more than 100 unique cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
During the opening ceremony minister for transport Uldis Augulis emphasized: “Since Riga Motor Museum has become an indispensable part of RTSD, we see dynamic growth of its activity. In 2010 the new exhibition hall of ancient vehicles was opened and in 2011 the renovated Bauska subsidiary, which was actively working during the reconstruction of the museum, opened its doors to visitors. Therefore, it is only logical that the RTSD service centre for corporate clients found its home in the reconstructed museum.”
Adding to the words of the minister, chairman of the board of RTSD Andris Lukstins said: “The newly opened museum will be a meeting place for car experts, restorers and race car drivers, as well as youth and families with children. The museum is not only a storage of meticulously restored “pearls”, but also an education centre.”
“Due to several years of joint, persistent and enthusiastic work, we can be proud that here, in Latvia, we have developed a culturally historic object of international significance and created a world-class exhibition of ancient vehicles, which, by use of modern multimedia technology, allows us to tell the exciting tale of automotive history. The doors of Motor Museum will be opened to visitors from 2nd of July, and the visitors will have an opportunity to spend an educational and adventurous day in the museum,” said director of RMM Aivars Aksenoks.
During reconstruction the museum gained several important additions and restored vehicles, most of which will be displayed in the renewed museum exhibition. Among the newest additions are the Benz Patent Motorwagen replica, Czech pride TATRA 87 manufactured in 1949, and the result of joint effort of Austrians and Germans - cabriolet STEYR 220 Gläser Sport Cabrio made in 1938, Krastin auto a car created by Latvian Augusts Krastins in 1903 in USA, Cadillac V8 of 1930 or the “twin” car of Karlis Ulmanis’ president’s car and other additions.
“The Antique vehicles club of Latvia was founded in 1972 with a clear aim to create a place for likeminded people to meet and display ancient vehicles. Despite the fact that many considered this idea as impossible to achieve, the leader of the club at the time, Viktors Kulbergs, and members of the club succeeded. Riga Motor Museum was something unique and ultra-modern already in those times, but the new reconstructed museum exhibition will surprise everyone, since the members of the club have entrusted unique exemplars to the museum,” proudly says the head of AVC Agris Smits.
The new RMM exhibition will also include a unique collection of historic radios and phones, which was given to the museum by Lattelecom. “To emphasize the fusion of automotive industry and information technology industry, and future ambitions, Lattelecom happily gives the historic trophies of Latvian and global telecommunication industry development to Riga Motor Museum. The exhibition is a gift to every resident and guest of our country for the approaching 100th birthday of Latvia,” said the chairman of the board of Lattelecom Juris Gulbis.
The hall for changing exhibitions and modern conference-rooms will ensure dynamic activity in the museum. A café and a playground will be available for the visitors’ convenience. Pupils will have an opportunity to study road traffic safety rules, automotive history and techniques in RMM educational classes.
The reconstruction of the museum building was performed by architect's bureau SIA Arhis Arhitekti and construction experts from SIA Skonto būve, and the exposition design was created by SIA H2E.
From 5th of July RMM entrance cards will be available for purchase not only in the museum box offices, but also on Biļešu Serviss sales spots, as well as on www.bilesuserviss.lv.
Riga Motor Museum was first opened in 1989, and in 2016 the reconstruction of the museum building was finished. More information is available on RMM web-site: www.motormuzejs.lv When sharing the news on the social media, please, use the hashtag #atklajmotormuzeju.