Retro cars occupy a special place in the hearts of true car enthusiasts - they are not just transport, but works of art on wheels, the embodiment of the spirit of past eras. Museum "Horsepower" in Moscow has become a real Mecca for those who appreciate the history of the automotive industry, unique design and the mechanical soul of cars. Here, under one roof, the rarest examples are collected, from pre-revolutionary Packards to Soviet rarities, each of which could tell hundreds of stories.
This museum is not just an exhibition of vintage cars. This immersive time travel, where visitors can not only see the details of legendary models up close, but also learn how technology, design and driving culture have evolved. Founder of the collection, renowned businessman and passionate collector Alexander Mikadze, spent decades searching for and restoring unique specimens, many of which were literally saved from disposal. Today the Horsepower Museum is one of the largest private car museums in Russia, where history comes to life before our eyes.
A visit to the museum will be interesting not only for auto experts, but also for those who are far from technology: thematic excursions, master classes on restoration are held here, and sometimes they even start the engines of rarities so that guests can hear the sound of live mechanics. This is also a great place for a family vacation: children can sit behind the wheel of a retro car (not started, of course!) and feel like pilots of the early 20th century.
History of the museum: how a private collection became public knowledge
It all started in the 1990s, when Alexander Mikadze, fascinated by cars since childhood, purchased his first retro car - Ford Model T 1923 release. Then it was more of a romantic whim than the beginning of a big deal. However, over time, the collection grew: Ford was added Packard, Buick, Cadillac and even Soviet ZIS-101 and GAZ-M1. By 2010, it became clear: such treasures cannot be kept in the garage - they need to be shared.
In 2012, on the basis of a reconstructed industrial building in Moscow (Nagatinskaya embankment district) The Horsepower Museum opened. The name refers to the old unit of power measurement - horsepower (hp), which is still used in the auto industry. Interestingly, the term itself was coined by an engineer James Watt in the 18th century to compare the power of steam engines with the performance of horses - and today this is a symbolic connection between the past and the present.
The museum currently occupies more than 3,000 m², and its exposition includes more than 100 unique cars, motorcycles and even bicycles. Feature of the collection - authenticity: 90% of the exhibits are in original or carefully restored condition, without modern modifications. For example, Rolls-Royce Phantom I 1927 is not only restored here - it is completely on the go and sometimes participates in retro rallies.
By the way, the museum actively cooperates with vintage car club "Retro-Moto", thanks to which some exhibits can be seen not only in the hall, but also on the track during historical races.
Top 5 unique exhibits: must-sees
In the Horsepower Museum, every exhibit is worthy of attention, but there are real pearls for which people come here from all over the country. Here five of the rarest and legendary cars collections:
- 🏆 Packard Twin Six (1916) - the first production car with a 12-cylinder engine. This copy once belonged to a Russian aristocrat and was taken out of Russia after the revolution. Today it is one of three surviving Packard Twin Six in the world!
- 👑 Rolls-Royce Phantom I (1927) with body Barker - a limousine that served the Soviet nomenklatura in the 1930s. The car has retained its original mahogany paneling and even secret bar for passengers.
- ⚡ Tatra T87 (1939) - Czechoslovakian “aerodynamic projectile” with a rear engine. This model inspired Ferdinand Porsche to create Volkswagen Beetle!
- ⛽ ZIS-101A (1940) - Soviet Cadillac, which was produced for the party elite. The museum displays a copy with original license plate those years.
- 🎩 Buick Model 32 (1910) - one of the first cars with an electric starter. This car participated in the filming of the Sherlock Holmes films as the “car of the era.”
The only one in Russia Duesenberg Model J (1931) with body Derham Tourster - the pride of the museum. This car cost at that time as a small mansion, and today its valuation exceeds $2 million. By the way, this is exactly the car Al Capone drove - but our example, fortunately, has a more peaceful biography.
In addition to cars, the museum displays retro motorcycles (including 1920s Harley-Davidson), bicycles of the early 20th century and even horse-drawn carriage - to trace the evolution of transport from horsepower to mechanical.
How did the museum manage to return Packard Twin Six to Russia?
This one Packard was discovered in 2008 at an auction in the USA. It turned out that the car once belonged to a Russian prince and was taken from Petrograd in 1918. The collector managed to prove the historical value of the car for Russia and return it to his homeland through legal proceedings.
Practical information: how to get there, prices, opening hours
The Horsepower Museum is located at: Moscow, Nagatinskaya embankment, building 16, building 1. It is convenient to get here both by public transport and by private car.
- 🚇 Metro: the nearest stations are “Nagatinskaya” (5 min walk) and “Kolomenskaya” (10 min). There are signs leading from the metro to the museum.
- 🚗 By car: There is parking, but spaces are limited. It is better to book in advance through the museum website. Navigator coordinates:
55.6801° N, 37.6544° E - 🚌 Public transport: buses no.
T67,168,608stop nearby.
Operating mode:
| Day of the week | Opening hours | Ticket price (RUB) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 10:00–19:00 | 500 (adult), 300 (preferential) |
| Sat-Sun | 10:00–20:00 | 600 (adult), 350 (preferential) |
| Last Monday of the month | Closed | — |
| Excursion (group up to 10 people) | By appointment | 2 500 |
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Attention: The museum is closed holidays January 1-2 and May 9. Also with 1 to 10 June Technical work is being carried out - part of the exhibition may be closed. Before your visit, check for up-to-date information at official website.
Special rules apply for photographers and bloggers:
- 📸 Photos taken with professional equipment - 1,000 rub. (permission is issued at the ticket office).
- 🎥 Video shooting (including TikTok/Reels) — 2,000 rub.
- 🚫 Prohibited use tripods and flashes without agreement.
If you arrived in a vintage car (over 30 years old), show it in the parking lot - you may get a 20% discount on your ticket!
Interactive zones and events: not only look, but also touch
Unlike many museums, where exhibits are hidden behind glass, here visitors are allowed touch history - literally. In the Living Classics hall you can:
- 🔧 Twist steering wheel Ford Model A 1929 and feel how cars were driven without power steering.
- 🔊 Listen to the sound engine Mercedes-Benz 300SL (1955) - it is launched at the request of the guide.
- 🛠️ Try yourself as a restorer: master classes teach you how to clean parts
carburetorand polish the chrome.
Organized for children themed quests:
- 🧩 “In the footsteps of the inventor” - searching for parts of the first Benz car.
- 🎨 “Draw your own retro car” - a drawing competition with prizes.
The museum also regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and theme evenings:
- 🎬 Cinema retro: screenings of films from the 1920s to the 1960s with car scenes (for example, “The Diamond Arm” with the legendary ZIL-111).
- 🎤 Lectures: meetings with auto historians and restorers. Topics range from “How carburetors work” to “Cars in art.”
- 🏁 Retro rally: Once a year the museum organizes a traveling display of its exhibits on the highway.
A little preparation will help you visit the museum comfortably:
Comfortable shoes (the exhibition is large, you will have to walk a lot)|Charger for your phone (you will want to take photos often)|Bottle of water (there is no buffet in the museum, only vending)|Notebook (for recording interesting facts from the excursion)-->
Tips for visitors: how to get the most out of your visit
To make your visit to the Horsepower Museum unforgettable, use these recommendations:
🕒 Best time to visit — weekdays from 10:00 to 12:00. At this time there are few people here, and you can slowly look at each exhibit. On weekends it's better to come for 2 hours before closing — by this time the main flow of visitors has dispersed.
🎧 Audio guide vs tour guide. The audio guide (RUB 200) is suitable for self-examination, but if you want to find out hidden stories (for example, like ZIS-110 used in parades on Red Square), it is better to sign up for a tour. The guides here are real enthusiasts, many of them themselves participate in the restoration of cars.
👨👩👧👦 With children. Ideal for families with children 5-12 years old interactive excursion “Journey through time”. Children can try on driver's caps from the early 20th century and receive a museum “driver's license” in the form of a certificate.
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Attention: If you are planning to visit the museum in holidays (New Year, February 23, March 8), it is better to book tickets in advance - there are often themed events on these dates and entry may be limited.
📱 Museum app. Download the official app "Horsepower" (available for iOS and Android). It contains:
- 3D models of exhibits with the ability to view details.
- Audio stories about the most famous cars.
- Museum map with routes (for example, “Soviet Classics” or “American Muscle Cars”).
The rarest exhibits (for example, Duesenberg Model J) are located in hall No. 3. They are only allowed there with a guided tour—you won’t be able to explore them on your own.
Museum "Horsepower" and popularization of car culture
The museum does not just store rarities - it actively participates in restoration and preservation of automotive heritage. For example, in 2021, a unique restoration GAZ-13 "Chaika" 1962, who once served in the KGB. The car was found in a deplorable condition in one of the parking lots in the Moscow region, and its restoration took more than 1,500 man-hours.
In addition, the museum cooperates with automotive universities (MADI, MSTU named after Bauman), where students undergo practical training in the restoration of retro cars. Some graduates even defend their diplomas based on museum exhibits!
Another important direction is fight against the “cutting” of rarities. Many old cars in Russia are still dismantled for parts or converted into “rat rods”. The museum holds lectures on how properly preserve historical cars, and even buys rare specimens from private individuals to save them from disposal.
🌍 International recognition. In 2019, the Horsepower Museum entered the Top 10 automobile museums in Europe according to the magazine Classic & Sports Car. And in 2023 an exhibition was held here "Cars of Tsarist Russia", which was attended by collectors from Germany, France and the USA.
Alternative museums for car enthusiasts: where to go next
If you've been drawn into the world of retro cars, here's more 5 museums in Russiaworth visiting:
- 🚗 Museum of Retro Cars in Riga (Latvia) - one of the largest collections in the Baltics, including Soviet Volgas and Pre-war Mercedes.
- 🏎️ AvtoVAZ Museum in Tolyatti — the history of Zhiguli from the first prototypes to modern models.
- 🚛 Museum of Technology of Vadim Zadorozhny (Moscow, Arkhangelskoye) - not only cars, but also tanks, planes and even a submarine!
- 🏍️ Motorcycle Museum in St. Petersburg - more than 200 copies, from 1910s Harley-Davidson up to Java.
- 🚙 UMMC Museum (Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Sverdlovsk region) - unique Soviet prototypes, for example, ZIS-112 - “Russian Cadillac” of the 1950s.
If you are planning a road trip to museums, the optimal route is:
Moscow (“Horsepower”) → Tolyatti (AvtoVAZ) → Verkhnyaya Pyshma (UMMC) → St. Petersburg (motorcycles).
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to touch the exhibits with your hands?
In the main hall you cannot touch the cars, but in the interactive area "Living Classics" you are allowed to get into some cars (for example, Ford Model A) and turn the steering wheel. You can also touch individual parts at the stands - they are specially marked with “Touch Me” signs.
Is there a cafe or place to eat in the museum?
There is no cafe in the museum itself, but nearby (a 3-minute walk) are:
- 🍕 Pizzeria “Dodo Pizza” (Nagatinskaya embankment, 14).
- ☕ Coffee shop “Shokoladnitsa” (Kolomenskaya st., 16).
- 🍔 Black Star Burgers (in the Riviera shopping center, 10 min walk).
Works on the museum grounds vending machine with drinks and snacks.
Is it possible to rent the museum for filming or events?
Yes, the museum is available for rent for:
- 🎥 Film and photography (price from 50,000 rubles/hour, depends on the amount of equipment).
- 💍 Weddings (there is a special “Retro Wedding” package with photography on vintage cars).
- 🎉 Corporate parties (maximum 150 people, retro banquets can be organized).
Applications are accepted by email: event@horses-power.ru (at least 2 weeks in advance).
Are there discounts for large families or pensioners?
Yes, the following benefits apply:
- 👵 Pensioners - 30% discount (on presentation of a pension certificate).
- 👨👩👧👦 Large families (3+ children) - 50% discount for children and 20% for adults.
- 🎓 Students - 20% discount (with student card).
Free entry for children under 6 years old and disabled people of group I.
Is it possible to buy souvenirs?
Works at the museum gift shop with unique products:
- 📖 Books on the history of cars (from 500 rubles).
- 🚗 Scale models of exhibits (1:43, from RUB 1,200).
- 👕 T-shirts and caps with retro car prints (from RUB 800).
- 🎨 Posters with drawings of legendary engines (from 300 RUR).
You can also purchase excursion certificate or a master class as a gift.