Preserving a car can begin as a private enthusiasm and develop into a public cultural project. That journey lies behind the 2026 National ASI Award for Historic Motoring, presented posthumously to Luciano Nicolis, founder of the museum bearing his name in Villafranca di Verona.
Silvia and Thomas Nicolis accepted the award from Alberto Scuro at Misano World Circuit. The presentation formed part of ASI Fest, held on 25–27 September 2026 to mark the Automotoclub Storico Italiano’s 60th anniversary.
From a private collection to a public museum
Museo Nicolis opened in 2000. Its holdings are arranged in ten collections extending beyond cars to motorcycles, bicycles, cameras, typewriters and other objects that connect technical development with everyday life.
ASI’s recognition focuses on the work of recovering, conserving and sharing that heritage. An object takes on a different role when it can be studied, placed in context and seen by visitors who may have no collecting background.
Keeping technical history accessible
Nicolis’s story also connects business with the recovery of materials and the preservation of objects. The museum turned that outlook into a place open to the public.
The 2026 award honours its founder, while the collections continue to provide a way of understanding changes in transport, work and design. Enthusiasts planning a visit to Villafranca di Verona should consult the museum’s website for current opening times and exhibitions.
Source: Museo Nicolis, comunicado del Premio Nacional ASI 2026. Adapted from press information. Photograph: ASI / Museo Nicolis.
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