In the heart of Brussels, beneath the soaring arches of the Cinquantenaire, a temple of chrome and horsepower is blowing out four decades of candles. Autoworld, the city's beloved automobile museum, turns 40 in 2026, and it's celebrating with a look back at the road ahead.
The museum first swung open its doors on 26 September 1986, a project born from the combined vision of King Albert II, Minister Louis Olivier, and President Herman De Croo. Their goal was to give Belgium a permanent home for its automotive heritage, and they found the perfect foundation in the Mahy family's staggering collection, one of the largest on the planet. Ghislain Mahy and his sons, Hans and Ivan, contributed around 2,000 vehicles, many of them pre-war classics that still whisper of an era when driving was an adventure.
Today, Autoworld's approach has shifted. The museum itself owns only a few dozen cars, relying instead on private collectors who loan their prized machines for temporary exhibitions. Each year, two major shows bring around fifty vehicles into the spotlight, while pop-up displays and automotive events keep the calendar buzzing. Over its four decades, the museum has staged roughly 100 exhibitions and showcased more than 2,000 cars. Visitor numbers have quadrupled in the last ten years alone, hitting 245,000 in 2025.
A Glimpse of Tomorrow, Parked in the Past
To mark the anniversary, Autoworld has curated 'Looking Back to the Future', an exhibition that runs until 23 December 2026. It's a clever twist on nostalgia, featuring 15 cars, two motorcycles, and a Vespa that bridge the gap between yesterday's dreams and today's reality. Among the highlights are a Bugatti Type 35, a Lamborghini Miura, the Toyota 2000GT Targa made famous by James Bond, and a Porsche 918 Spyder. These machines aren't just parked; they're time machines.
A Birthday Bash on the Esplanade
The festivities peak on 4 October 2026 with a special Birthday Event. Inside the museum, visitors can join free guided tours, take rides in cars from the collection, and let the kids loose on activities designed just for them. But the real spectacle happens outside, on the Esplanade of the Cinquantenaire Park. From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Cars & Coffee Birthday Edition invites any classic or youngtimer at least 20 years old to roll up and show off. A Best of Show ceremony will crown the most memorable machines. Participation is free, but you need to register in advance.
There's a special treat for those who share the museum's birth year. If you were born in 1986, you'll get free admission on 4 October, just by showing your ID. The same goes for owners of a car from 1986, provided they bring the vehicle's registration certificate. It's a small gesture that ties the celebration to the people who lived it.
Looking further ahead, Autoworld has secured its future with a new lease agreement that runs until 2041, backed by government decisions and a Royal Decree. A major renovation is already being planned behind the scenes, promising to elevate the visitor experience to new heights. For now, though, the focus is on the party. If you're in Brussels this autumn, consider pairing a visit to Autoworld with other cultural stops, like the Kanal Museum's free art marathon or a glimpse of the city's hidden palace. And if you're a fan of speed, you might also check out Baku's F1 anniversary for another kind of automotive thrill.
Autoworld's 40th is more than a birthday. It's a reminder that the love affair between humans and machines is far from over. Whether you're a gearhead or just curious, this is a chance to see how far we've come, and to dream about where we're headed next.
