TEHRAN – Models of vintage and classic cars have been put on show at Iran’s National Car Museum, located in western Tehran.

The exhibit was initiated on Thursday in close collaboration between the Iranian Collectible Models Club and the Iranian Historic Vehicles Association, which is affiliated with the Touring & Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The bodies of some of the models on display have been signed by the drivers of the original cars, adding to their material and sentimental value, IRNA reported.

The exhibition, which will run for one month, features around 60 unique, appreciated, and handcrafted model cars, representing various old and historic vehicles.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is a model of the 1886 Benz, the first car ever produced in the world. The model, built at a 1:10 scale, is considered one of the unique and valuable in the world and is on display for enthusiasts.

Another notable model in the collection includes a model of the 1896 Ford, crafted by hand at a 1:6 scale.

During the opening ceremony, a handcrafted model of a historic Mercedes-Benz, famously used in the memorable TV series “Hezardastan”, was also unveiled.

The National Car Museum has four main halls, the first of which bears the oldest vehicles in the collection, amongst them the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that belonged to Ahmad Shah Qajar. Hall No. 2 is dedicated to American and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and Hall No. 3 is devoted to the official and ceremonial cars, which include various models of Rolls-Royces and Mercedes.   Hall No. 4 is also dedicated to sports and super sports cars.

The museum reportedly owns the largest collection of Mercedes-Benz 600 in the world. “We have the largest collection of Mercedes-Benz 600 in the world with 21 units. The Mercedes-Benz Museum itself has three units of the 600 model…. the Mercedes-Benz 600 itself is designed and built with different rooms and its function is only for ceremonies and this model has different rooms, some having hardtops or custom-made sunroofs,” a museum official told the Tehran Times.

Other highlights include a gold-plated limousine, the world’s only Panther-Laser car produced, a Silver Ghost Rolls-Royce once owned by the Qajar King, Ahmand Shah (r. 1909 – 1925), as well as a royal carriage belonging to Nasereddin Shah of Qajar.

AM