Lleida Roda Roda Automobile Museum

This initial collection (around fifteen cars and a few motorcycles) has grown with the addition of historic vehicles belonging to the municipality, as well as donations from other collectors. The Lleida Club Classics Motor and the Lleida Club de Vehículos Históricos (based in the same building) collaborate with the museum, notably by loaning cars for exhibitions. The building that houses the museum is a former Mercedes garage and dealership, and some elements of its original use can still be seen.

Cars

In total, the Roda Roda (wheel in Catalan) Museum exhibits around forty cars dating from the early 20th century to the 1970s. One of the most spectacular cars, visible as soon as you enter the museum, is undoubtedly the 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I. It belonged to Francesc Segura Miro, who had it restored. Next to it, as a nod to history, is an Austin Seven, from the same country and period, but much more modest, which is in a way the ancestor of the Mini.

Another prestigious model is a 1928 Hispano-Suiza T48, which had the honor of transporting King Alfonso XIII of Spain in 1930 during a stay in Gerona, as evidenced by a plaque on the interior door trim. The oldest car on display is a 1907 De Dion Bouton, which has been completely restored and still takes to the road from time to time.

The collection also includes several popular cars, two versions of the Ford Model T, two-seater coupe and a Torpedo, some Citroen from the 30s, and more recent 2CV “buggy” version and a Dyane, which has the distinction of being the first manufactured in Spain, as well as the Seat 600 (a copy of the Fiat 600), which helped to democratize the automobile in Spain.

Besides cars

Several service vehicles belonging to the city of Lleida have been added, including police motorcycles, fire trucks, and hearses. Around thirty vintage motorcycles include brands such as Terrot, Peugeot, Ossa, Montesa, Norton, Rene Gillet, Rieju, and Vespa. As a reminder of the building’s former use, the Roda Roda museum has a small engine section, with cutaway engines, mechanical parts, and tools. This also allows the museum to collaborate with city schools.

One area is dedicated to miniatures, with a collection of around 1,800 1:43 scale models and nearly 500 1:24 scale models from two private collections entrusted to the museum. Classified by country and brand, they offer a journey through the history of automobile manufacturing. Competition is not forgotten, with a very broad overview of Formula 1, endurance racing, and rallying. Fire engines, movie cars, and motorcycles are also included, to be complete without being exhaustive.

Finally, there is a curiosity: the front end of a Pegaso bus that was cut up to make the entrance doors of a bar in the city. Note that the museum is about a 10-minute walk from the historic center and admission is free.

Practical information

Opening

Tuesday to Saturday	11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sundays and public holidays	11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m
Closed on December 25 and 26, as well as January 1 and 6
On December 24 and 31, open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (closed in the afternoon).

Rates

Free admission

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