Since 1992, Riga Motor Museum is a state museum and since 2009 it operates as a structural unit of JSC "Road Traffic Safety Directorate" (Abbr. in Latvian CSDD). The Museum was accredited in 1999, 2004, and 2010.

Since the appearance of the first self-propelled vehicle in Latvia at the end of the 19th century, people have striven for improvement and perfection, considering only the newest and most modern models worth attention.

Only in the 1960’s – 1970’s, Latvia started to pay attention to older automobiles and motorcycles. Latvia Antique Automobile club (AAK) was founded in 1972. It was the first public organisation of that kind in the territory of the former USSR. The activities of AAK in the 1970’s – 1980’s were the basis of founding Riga Motor Museum in 1989. The building of the museum was designed by Latvian architect Viktors Valgums, and back than it was acknowledged as one of the best buildings built in Latvia after World War II.

Riga Motor Museum's project by Latvian architect Viktors Valgums (1984).

Since 1992, Riga Motor Museum is a state museum and since 2009 it operates as a structural unit of JSC "Road Traffic Safety Directorate" (Abbr. in Latvian CSDD). The Museum was accredited in 1999, 2004, and 2010. It is a member of International Association of Transport and Communications Museums – International Council of Museums (IATM – ICOM), Latvia Museum Association and Latvia Transport Development and Education Association.

The Riga Motor Museum current director is Aivars Aksenoks (since 2009). Former directors include Viktors Kulbergs, Uģis Kalmanis, Edvīns Liepiņš and Andrejs Beļinskis.

Over the years, the Museum’s exposition has gained not only international recognition, but also visitor sympathies. Furthermore, year after year the exposition is being enriched with unique and alluring exhibits.

The museum is open to collaboration and very often takes part in antique vehicle exhibitions and events in Latvia, as well as further abroad. The publics’ favorite events without doubt are antique car rallies. The biggest antique vehicle of the year is of course Riga Retro, taking place every year in the middle of August. Riga Motor Museum’s antique vehicles often enrich city festivals and events all over Latvia. 

Photo: Pony&Smith. Antique vehicle event "Riga Retro 2013".

In 2010, the Riga Motor Museum exposition area was amplified by 1300 m2. Thanks to the new exposition space it was possible to house a new collection dedicated to war machinery from World War II, as well as other special vehicles and Riga Bus Factory busses. 

Photo: Ilmars Znotins. Opening ceremony of the new exposition space.

On April 15th, 2013 Riga Motor Museum’s doors were closed to public due to the forthcoming major reconstruction.

The renovation project of the Riga Motor Museum envisages an enlargement of its existing exhibition area, creation of a new, more comfortable and up-to-date entrance, organization of the visitors’ flows in a clear way; the renovation project will also assure the museums accessibility for all the visitants and design a space according to the expositions actual needs while preserving the museums historical character, functional plan and its structural configuration.

It is scheduled that Riga Motor Museum will reopen in the spring of 2015.

fonte: @edisonmariotti #edisonmariotti
http://www.motormuzejs.lv/pub/index.php?id=47