This landmark event in the world of vintage automobiles is rightly hailed as Russia’s premier showcase for historic cars, and its St. Petersburg setting is not accidental. The legacy begins here in 1907 with the establishment of His Imperial Majesty’s Own Garage, a cornerstone of the city’s automotive history. St. Petersburg also recalls the earliest automobile exhibitions of the Russian Empire, held under the patronage of the Imperial Russian Automobile Society, and the first car races for the Imperial Prize began their journey from this place.
This year marks a milestone for His Imperial Majesty’s Own Garage, now 115 years old. Consequently, the Oldtimer Gallery will host a dedicated exposition named Royal Departure, with exhibits supplied by the Special Purpose Garage Museum of the FSO of Russia.
Spanish-Suiza
Zebra
The entire arc of motoring in the Russian Empire is presented through vivid color panels, regal royal cars, authentic era artifacts, and rare documents that have never before been shown publicly.
Custom Car Ford Market
Cadillac DeVille 1969
Yet this is only a portion of what awaits. Spanning an area of 7000 m², roughly the size of a large football field, the display features vehicles from renowned brands such as Benz, Chevrolet, Hispano-Suiza, Metz, Rolls-Royce, Zebra, and Russo-Balt. Among them stands a true rarity favored by Nicholas II’s era, the Delaunay-Belleville. This automobile, once among the most advanced and prestigious of its time, is showcased as a true marvel. In pristine condition, the Delaunay-Belleville HB4 Phaeton 24CV from 1911 exemplifies a brief era when motor cars fused luxury with cutting-edge engineering. Only 100 units were produced, and very few survive today.
Delaunay Belleville
The Museum of the Special Purpose Garage of the Federal Security Service of Russia, which has become the event’s principal partner, will present not only vehicles from the imperial era but also modern models such as the Aurus Sedan and Aurus Limousine at ExpoForum.
Benz
Studebaker Seven Passengers Turing 1915
Visitors who have already explored the Oldtimer Gallery know that each display is unique, and repeat exhibitions do not mirror previous ones. The collection is carefully curated around a central theme, and this edition promises surprises along the way.
Chevrolet
Rolls Royce
One of ExpoForum’s halls undergoes a transformation into a living city of the past. The experience goes beyond the cars and includes themed gatherings such as fire trucks, urban public transport, and vehicles representing socialist bloc nations—Hungary, the GDR, and Czechoslovakia. The lineup also features film cars, military hardware, record race cars, muscle cars, high-performance delivery vehicles, and a mix of Soviet and international car and motorcycle classics. In total, more than 100 cars and motorcycles are on display, complemented by thousands of antiques.
Ikarus 630.03 1964 – once a mobile dental practice, the sole example of its kind in the Russian Federation
Metz
Place and time
Oldtimer Gallery takes place in ExpoForum CEC hall on April 22 and 23 from 11am to 7pm, and on April 24 from 11am to 6pm. Visitors can reach the venue via a complimentary shuttle from Moskovskaya metro station or drive to the free parking area adjacent to ExpoForum, where the Oldtimer Gallery is hosted.