Brussels automobile museum Autoworld is turning 40 in 2026. Car enthusiasts can take part in the festivities through the anniversary exhibition ‘Looking Back to the Future’ and a special event on the Cinquantenaire esplanade.
On 26 September 1986, Autoworld first opened its doors to the public. The opening was the result of a joint effort by King Albert II, Minister Louis Olivier, and President Herman De Croo to create a unique place where Belgian automotive history could come to life.
At the time, the Autoworld museum was mainly made possible through the automobile collection of the Mahy family, one of the largest in the world, which contributed to the creation of Autoworld. Some 2000 vehicles from Ghislain Mahy and his sons Hans and Ivan were displayed at the museum, many of them models from before the Second World War.
Since then, the way in which Autoworld operates has changed. The museum owns just a couple of dozen cars, while most of the exhibitions are filled with vehicles from private collectors who temporarily loan the cars to the museum. Every year, Autoworld holds two major temporary exhibitions featuring around fifty vehicles, while numerous small pop-up exhibitions and automotive-related events take place on a more regular basis.
Throughout its existence, the museum has set up some 100 exhibitions, featuring more than 2,000 cars. The number of visitors has also increased exponentially, quadrupling over the past 10 years to reach 245,000 in 2025.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Autoworld has put together a special exhibition called ‘Looking Back to the Future’. Until 23 December 2026, visitors can marvel at 15 cars, two motorcycles, and a Vespa – including a Bugatti Type 35, Lamborghini Miura, James Bond’s Toyota 2000GT Targa, and a Porsche 918 Spyder.
However, Autoworld’s 40th anniversary will also be celebrated through a special Birthday Event on 4 October 2026. The programme includes an impressive Supercar Line-up at the heart of the museum, free guided tours, rides in cars from the museum’s collection, and activities for children.
One of the main events of the day, however, will be the Cars & Coffee Birthday Edition. From 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, the Esplanade of the Cinquantenaire Park in front of the museum will welcome all classic and youngtimer cars that are at least 20 years old, while a Best of Show awards ceremony will put the most memorable cars in the spotlight. Participation in the Cars & Coffee event is free, but prior registration is mandatory.
Autoworld also has a special treat for those who happen to be born in 1986 or have a car that dates back to the year of its opening. People born in 1986 will be able to enjoy free admission to the museum upon presentation of their ID card on 4 October. The same goes for owners of a classic car dating from 1986 upon presentation of the vehicle’s registration certificate.
As far as the future is concerned, Autoworld recently obtained a new lease agreement based on government decisions and a Royal Decree, securing the building’s rental until 2041. The extension allows Autoworld to safeguard the museum’s future and to elevate the overall visitor experience to a higher level, and a major renovation is being planned behind the scenes.
