Installation view of AUTObodies: speed, sport, trasport, MoMA QNS, June 2002. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Image © 2002 David Allison

MoMA was the first art museum to collect and exhibit automobiles as examples of functional design. The Cisitalia “202” GT (1946) was the first vehicle to enter the collection, in 1972, and MoMA has organized nine automotive exhibitions, beginning with the landmark presentation Eight Automobiles in 1951. (Download the original press release in PDF format.) More recently, in 2002, the Museum presented AUTObodies: speed, sport, transport</a>, which featured all the cars in MoMA’s collection. </p>

On the occasion of the New York International Auto Show, here’s a look at all six cars currently in MoMA’s collection.

 

1. Pininfarina (Battista “Pinin” Farina). Cisitalia “202” GT Car. 1946 (produced 1948)
The Cisitalia entered MoMA’s collection in 1972.
 

2. Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., Toledo, Ohio. Truck: utility 1/4 ton 4×4, M38A1 (Jeep). February 1953 (design date: 1952)
The Jeep, which enterted MoMA’s collection in 2002, is currently on view in the exhibition Born out of Necessity</a>.
 

3. Ferdinand Porsche, Volkswagenwerk and Germany (founded 1938). Volkswagen, Type 1 Sedan. 1959
The Volkswagon Beetle entered MoMA’s collection in 2002.
 

4. Sir William Lyons, Malcolm Sayer, William M. Heynes. E-Type Roadster. 1961
The Jaguar E-Type entered MoMA’s collection in 1996.
 

5. John Barnard, Ferrari S.p.A., Maranello and Italy (established 1929). Formula 1 Racing Car 641/2. 1990
The Formula 1, which entered MoMA’s collection in 1994, is currently on view in MoMA’s Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building.
 

6. Micro Compact Car Smart GmbH, Renningen, Germany, and Hambach, France (German and French, founded 1994). Smart Car (“Smart & Pulse” Coupé). 2002
The Smart Car entered MoMA’s collection in 2002.</p>

Learn more about all of these cars on the MoMA Multimedia page.