Chrome, curves and culture: Inside Toyota’s time machine for car fans
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The KdF-Wagen — the early blueprint that eventually became the beloved Volkswagen Beetle.
The Jaguar XK120 — sleek, silver, and once the fastest production car on the planet.
The Citroën DS 19 — a futuristic icon that floated through the 1950s on hydropneumatic dreams.
The Duesenberg Model J — pure 1930s glam with horsepower to match the Hollywood hype.
The Mazda Cosmo Sport L10B — where space-age looks met rotary-engine magic.
The Toyota 2000GT — Japan’s first supercar and still one of its coolest.
The Honda Civic CVCC — the little red rebel that cleaned up emissions without a catalytic converter.
The original Toyota Prius — the quiet game-changer that kickstarted the hybrid revolution.
If you’re into cars — or even just a little curious about how they’ve changed over the years — the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagakute (just outside Nagoya) is definitely worth checking out.
It opened back in 1989 to mark Toyota’s 50th anniversary, and while it’s run by Toyota, the museum isn’t just a Toyota showcase. It takes you through over 100 years of automotive history with around 140 beautifully restored cars from all over the world. You’ll see everything from the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen to elegant European classics and legendary Japanese rides like the 1936 Toyota AA.
The layout makes it super easy to follow the evolution of cars and how they’ve shaped not just transportation, but culture and everyday life. There’s also a cool Cultural Gallery packed with posters, memorabilia, and fun little artifacts that show how cars have popped up in pop culture over the decades.
One of the coolest things? A lot of the cars are still in running condition — and if you’re lucky, you might catch a live demo. They also have free English tours and a multilingual audio guide app, so you won’t miss a thing.
Out of all the amazing cars on display, we picked 9 of the most iconic models you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Pre-War Era (1900s–1930s)
A pre-war luxury masterpiece, the 500K combined elegant design with a supercharged engine, symbolizing 1930s automotive prestige.
Commissioned by Nazi Germany as a “people’s car,” the KdF-Wagen laid the foundation for the post-war Volkswagen Beetle.
Post-War Innovation & Design (1940s–1960s)
The world’s fastest production car at the time, the XK120 marked Jaguar’s leap into global recognition with its sleek styling and speed.
A revolutionary car known for its futuristic design and advanced hydropneumatic suspension, the DS 19 set new standards in ride comfort and innovation.
(carried over in small numbers post-war)
Though its production ended pre-WWII, the Model J remained a symbol of opulence and was admired well into the post-war era.
Japanese Automotive Breakthrough (1960s-1970s)
Mazda’s innovative entry into rotary engines, the Cosmo Sport, offered advanced engineering in a compact, stylish package.
With sleek lines and exceptional performance, the 2000GT was Japan’s first true sports car, signaling Japan’s arrival in the global performance market.
Renowned for its clean-burning engine, the Civic CVCC met strict emissions standards without a catalytic converter, propelling Honda to global prominence.
Modern Era & Sustainability (1990s-present)
The car that brought hybrid technology to the mainstream, the Prius became a symbol of fuel efficiency and environmental consciousness.
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