The Shikoku Automobile Museum is a remarkable facility located in Konan, displaying rare and historic cars and motorcycles from 1960 to 1980, with a particular emphasis on racing cars and supercars, such as Abarth, Porsche, and Ferrari. Among the motorbikes, English café racers are well represented.

Konan, not far from central Kochi city is home to several interesting museums. The Automobile Museum is housed in an inconspicuous metal shed. A Japan Formula racing car can be glimpsed through a  window at one end. There are some impressive cars to be seen just in the lobby, even before you pay to enter the main hall. Be prepared for an amazing sight when you go through those doors.

The museum was started by a successful local Toyota dealer in 2001, based around his collection with an Alfa TZ, an Alfa TZ2, and a 2000GT. The collection quickly grew to include a DeLorean,  decked out as a replica of the one in Back to the Future, a Shelby Cobra 427, a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Competizione, several Fiats and Alfa Romeos, and a Cizeta Fenice TTJ Spider. In addition to the supercars and rally cars are some classic Japanese passenger cars.

The motorcycles include bikes from Norton, BSA, Triumph, BMW, and of course Honda. Some of the earlier bikes betray their origins as pedal cycles.

All the exhibits are in excellent condition and kept mirror clean. Chrome sparkles wherever the eye falls. If you’re interested in cars, design, and engineering, be sure to allow yourself an hour or more to enjoy this museum to the full.