The Cyprus Car Museum

The first of its kind in North Cyprus, the Near East University Classic Car Museum certainly houses some hidden treasures, including rare and one-of-a-kind vehicles. Opened in 2007 by Dr Suat Gunsel, the museum is open to the public and is well worth a visit if you are over in Nicosia.

Near East Classic Car Motor Museum

The Cyprus Motor Museum near Nicosia is home to over 100 cars from around the world, ranging from Cadillacs to Bentleys, which are well looked after by the museums’ in-house Car Restoration Workshop. There are also a few special production cars on show, some of which are the only existing models in the world. The collection features everything from modern supercars to vintage cars over 100 years old, so there is something to enjoy for young and old alike.

1967 Hillman Hunter

The first car to enter the museum was a 1967 Hillman Hunter, owned by the NEU’s founder Dr Suat Gunsel, which is considered to be the most precious car, due to its sentimental value to the museum.

1952 Austin A135 Princess

There are two cars which were owned by Cypriot politicians, including an Austin Princess, used as the official car by the first vice president of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Fazil Kucuk and a Chevrolet Biscayne used by former prime minister Osman Orek.

1899 Crestmobile Model C

One of the most exciting models in the museum is the 1899 Crestmobile Model C, which is the only remaining example.

1903 Wolseley

Other rare cars kept in the museum include a 1903 Wolseley made in Great Britain and a 1909 Buick Model made in the USA, both of which are the last surviving models in the world. 

1909 Buick Model

The concept of showcasing vehicles from every period over the last 100 years means that the museum has automobiles from the early 1900s to the present day.

There are several vehicles which used to be used across the island, including a 1963 Bedford bus as well as classics such as a Jaguar XK120 from 1948, a Ford Popular from the 1950s, a 1960’s Ford Escort and a Ford Anglia from the 40s. Also on display are some very expensive supercars, including various Ferraris and a pristine Lamborghini. 

1963 Bedford Bus

1948 Jaguar XK120

1950's Ford Popular

1960's Ford Escort

1940's Ford Anglia

Also on display are some very expensive supercars, including various Ferraris and a pristine Lamborghini.

Ferrari North Cyprus

Lamborghini North Cyprus

All of the cars in the Cyprus Historic Car Museum are restored and well maintained by the group of 6 experienced and specialist staff in the Car Restoration Workshop. The vehicles are all started up regularly and some are even taken to the various classic car rallies across the island. You may also have seen a car from the museum on display at Ercan Airport, which they rotate from time to time.

If you are interested in model car collecting, the museum also contains a vast collection of over 5,000 toy cars, from handmade bespoke models to mass-produced and vintage vehicles.

Solar powered Cars RA25

You may have heard about the unique solar-powered cars, of which the university has built two, the RA25 and the RA27. The RA25 finished in 2014, and reached world championship level in the Sasol Solar Challenge race in South Africa, covering 628km purely on solar power. The second car, the RA27, made entirely of carbon fibre was finished in 2016 and again reached world championship level, covering an astonishing 1630km and finished 6th in the world in the four-wheel solar-powered car Challenger Class. 

1930's Buggati Type 40

If you would like to visit the museum, it is open from 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday. There is an entrance fee to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the cars and the museum. You can find out more information, as well as view pictures of the cars on the museum's website https://cypruscarmuseum.com/