The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) has awarded its prestigious FIVA Recognition Award to the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile (MAUTO) in Turin, in acknowledgement of the museum’s outstanding research and restoration project dedicated to the Bordino Steam Carriage (1854).
The FIVA Recognition Award, issued by the FIVA Culture and Youth Commission, honours exceptional initiatives that advance the preservation, study and public appreciation of historic vehicles. The Bordino project was recognised as a benchmark of excellence for its combination of scientific rigour, cultural vision and public engagement.
Built in 1854, the Bordino Steam Carriage is one of the earliest surviving examples of self-propelled road transport in Italy and a rare witness to the experimental phase of steam mobility in Europe. Designed with a front-mounted boiler, vertical chimney and large spoked wheels, the carriage reflects a transitional technology between horse-drawn vehicles and early motorised transport. Its compact passenger compartment, mounted on a carriage-style chassis, illustrates how early engineers adapted familiar forms while introducing mechanical propulsion.
Over time, the vehicle underwent various relocations and display phases, reflecting the evolving history of MAUTO itself. Today, it stands not only as an artefact but as a cornerstone of automotive heritage.
The awarded project, launched in May 2024 and designed to extend to the museum’s centenary in 2033, adopts a multidisciplinary approach that integrates historical research, scientific diagnostics and conservation, and the creation of a full-scale functional replica. This methodology has been widely praised as a model of international best practice.
A defining feature of the initiative is MAUTO’s open restoration laboratory, where visitors can observe the conservation process in real time. By making restoration visible and accessible, the museum has transformed a highly specialised activity into a powerful educational experience, reinforcing the cultural value of historic vehicles.
The project is also distinguished by its extensive network of collaborations, bringing together institutions such as the Biblioteca Reale di Torino, the Politecnico di Torino, the Centro Conservazione e Restauro “La Venaria Reale”, and the Accademia di Brera, alongside volunteers, scholars and automotive clubs. This collaborative framework highlights the importance of shared expertise in preserving complex heritage objects.
Particular emphasis has been placed on engaging younger generations through internships, training programmes and accessible communication initiatives. In doing so, MAUTO has created a dynamic bridge between past innovation and future knowledge.In her address, the FIVA Senior Vice President Natasa Grom Jerina highlighted that the project “demonstrates how rigorous research can be harmonised with an open and inclusive cultural vision,” adding that it represents “a powerful message that heritage must be understood, experienced and transmitted.”
By awarding MAUTO, FIVA recognises not only the technical excellence of the Bordino restoration, but also its broader cultural significance. The project exemplifies how early vehicles can be interpreted as key historical documents—offering insights into engineering, society and innovation.
The award ceremony took place in the afternoon of Thursday 19th March at MAUTO, in the presence of leading representatives from both organisations. FIVA was represented by Alberto Scuro, President; Natasa Grom Jerina, Senior Vice President, Luigi Frigerio, Senior Vice President Finance and Gian Mario Mollar, Secretary General. MAUTO was represented by its President Benedetto Camerana, the Director Lorenza Bravetta, and the Curator Davide Lorenzone.
The FIVA Recognition Award further reinforces MAUTO’s position as a leading institution in the preservation and promotion of automotive heritage, and underscores the vital role of historic vehicles within the global cultural landscape.
