MOTORIUM – Centre for Motor Culture & Heritage

Preserve. Drive. Experience. Connect.

Motor culture is living culture.

Cars, motorcycles and other vehicles are more than means of transportation.

They represent engineering, design, craftsmanship, technological development, social history, personal memories and cultural heritage.

MOTORIUM – Centre for Motor Culture & Heritage is currently being established as a new international project dedicated to preserving this heritage while keeping it alive.

The objective is not simply to create another museum.

MOTORIUM is intended to become an environment in which motor culture can be:

preserved, researched, restored, experienced, shared and passed on to future generations.

The project is being developed in connection with the International Association of the Dynasty of Babenberg (IADB), while MOTORIUM is being established as a distinct project with its own identity, community, activities and future operational structures.

What MOTORIUM is intended to become

The long-term concept brings different aspects of motor and mobility culture together within one connected ecosystem.

These include:

• historic and culturally significant vehicles;
• classic cars, youngtimers, motorcycles and special vehicles;
• restoration and preservation;
• workshop activities;
• bodywork and paint expertise;
• technical knowledge and craftsmanship;
• archives, documentation and historical research;
• preservation and availability of parts;
• exhibitions and presentations;
• events and community activities;
• education and knowledge transfer;
• cooperation with schools, universities, museums and specialists;
• collector and enthusiast services;
• vehicle-related services;
• driving and motorsport experiences;
• meeting, club and hospitality areas;
• international partnerships and networks.

MOTORIUM is intended to become a place where vehicles are not only displayed.

They should be understood, maintained, restored, driven and experienced.

A project that grows in phases

MOTORIUM will not be built all at once.

The project has deliberately been designed to develop step by step.

This means that the project can move forward even if the full funding target is not reached immediately.

Every funding level enables concrete and prioritised development steps.

Underfunding means smaller or slower implementation – not failure.

Reaching the principal target enables the planned first development cycle.

Additional funding allows subsequent objectives to be achieved faster, more comprehensively and at a higher level.

Phase 1 – Foundation

The first stage establishes and completes the organisational and legal foundations of MOTORIUM.

This includes:

• founding and organisational development;
• administrative structures;
• project documentation;
• legal and insurance requirements;
• development of internal processes;
• preparation of partnerships and cooperation;
• creation of the foundations for future operational activities.

Phase 2 – Community & Digital Foundation

MOTORIUM is intended to become more than a physical location.

A strong international community of people who care about motor culture is equally important.

This phase therefore develops:

• the MOTORIUM website and digital presence;
• communication and media structures;
• community and membership development;
• project communication;
• international networking;
• partnerships;
• initial public activities;
• documentation and knowledge-sharing structures.

Phase 3 – Operational Base

Before a complete MOTORIUM centre can be established, the project requires a functioning operational base.

This phase supports:

• an initial office and project base;
• administrative infrastructure;
• working and storage facilities;
• basic technical infrastructure;
• project coordination;
• preparation of restoration and preservation activities;
• preparation of first physical MOTORIUM functions.

Where appropriate, early office and administrative infrastructure can be coordinated with the developing operational base of the IADB, allowing resources to be used efficiently while MOTORIUM develops its own permanent structure.

Phase 4 – Pilot Activities

MOTORIUM should begin through real activity rather than waiting for a complete permanent campus.

This phase may therefore include:

• heritage events;
• exhibitions and presentations;
• workshops;
• specialist meetings;
• collector and enthusiast activities;
• restoration and preservation projects;
• educational activities;
• media and documentation projects;
• cooperation with museums, schools and institutions;
• partner events;
• first community experiences.

This allows the MOTORIUM concept to grow, develop and be tested in practice.

Phase 5 – First Physical MOTORIUM Location

The next major objective is the development of the first physical MOTORIUM base.

Depending on the available premises and resources, this location may progressively combine functions such as:

• workshop and restoration;
• vehicle presentation;
• heritage archive;
• parts preservation;
• project offices;
• community and members areas;
• educational activities;
• events;
• technical and cultural programmes.

The initial location does not need to contain the entire future MOTORIUM concept.

It represents the first permanent operational step.

Phase 6 – Permanent MOTORIUM & Expansion

The longer-term objective is to secure a permanent MOTORIUM location through:

acquisition, development and/or construction of suitable premises.

With increasing resources and participation, additional areas may include:

• larger restoration and workshop facilities;
• expanded heritage archives;
• vehicle and parts collections;
• education and training;
• hospitality;
• larger events;
• driving and motorsport-related facilities;
• additional specialist services;
• international cooperation programmes.

Ultimately, MOTORIUM is intended to develop into an international network of locations, partners, specialists and communities.

First funding target: €150,000

The first development cycle has an indicative funding framework of €150,000.

€15,000 – Foundation, legal and organisational development

Founding structure, administration, documentation, legal foundations and organisational preparation.

€20,000 – Digital platform, communication and community

Website, communication, media, community development, international networking and membership-related structures.

€30,000 – Operational base and project infrastructure

Initial office, working, storage, administrative and technical infrastructure.

€35,000 – Pilot activities, events and partnerships

First programmes, events, cooperation, educational and community activities.

€30,000 – Initial workshop and heritage infrastructure

Basic workshop and preservation equipment, technical cooperation and first restoration and heritage activities.

€20,000 – Development of the first physical MOTORIUM location

Location research, planning, preparation and development of the first permanent operational functions.

What happens if the full target is not reached?

MOTORIUM will still move forward.

The project has deliberately been designed in phases.

The first available resources will therefore be used for the highest-priority organisational and operational activities.

A smaller amount allows fewer or smaller development steps.

A larger amount allows more phases to be implemented.

The project does not depend on reaching €150,000 before any meaningful work can begin.

Every successfully funded phase creates something that remains and enables the next phase.

What happens if the target is exceeded?

Additional support will remain dedicated to the MOTORIUM project.

It can allow:

• faster development of the first location;
• improved workshop and restoration infrastructure;
• additional archive and heritage facilities;
• earlier involvement of specialists;
• more educational and community activities;
• additional events;
• expansion of vehicle and parts preservation;
• accelerated preparation of later project phases;
• earlier acquisition or development of a permanent MOTORIUM site.

Overfunding therefore does not change the project's purpose.

It allows the same vision to be realised faster, more comprehensively and with greater long-term capacity.

MOTORIUM needs more than funding

Money alone cannot preserve motor culture.

MOTORIUM also needs people.

Collectors.

Mechanics.

Restorers.

Engineers.

Vehicle historians.

Designers.

Bodywork specialists.

Painters.

Motorsport professionals and enthusiasts.

Manufacturers and suppliers.

Museums.

Schools and universities.

Event specialists.

Photographers and filmmakers.

Archivists.

Partners.

Young people who want to learn.

And people who simply believe that motor culture deserves to remain alive.

What part of motor culture is yours?

Perhaps you can contribute specialist knowledge.

Perhaps you own historical documents or material.

Perhaps you know someone we should meet.

Perhaps you have workshop experience.

Perhaps you can support a restoration.

Perhaps you can organise an event.

Perhaps you have a vehicle or collection that could contribute to the project.

Perhaps your company could become a partner.

Perhaps you would like to teach.

Perhaps you want to learn.

Perhaps you have an idea that belongs in MOTORIUM.

Or perhaps you simply want to help financially.

All of these contributions can matter.

Early participation

People who support MOTORIUM during its earliest development phase are helping to create structures that do not yet exist.

Where appropriate and legally possible, we therefore intend to develop benefits and opportunities for early supporters and active participants.

These may include, depending on the level and form of participation:

• recognition as an early supporter;
• early project information and development updates;
• invitations to selected MOTORIUM activities;
• opportunities to participate in the developing community;
• access to selected project and specialist activities;
• opportunities to contribute ideas and expertise;
• future community or member benefits where appropriate.

Financial support does not purchase organisational authority or leadership functions.

Deeper responsibility within MOTORIUM should develop through actual participation, competence, reliability, contribution and mutual trust.

From crowdfunding to collective impact

One person may bring a vehicle.

Another brings technical knowledge.

Another has workshop experience.

Someone else knows a museum, university or manufacturer.

Others contribute historical documentation, equipment, contacts, events, communication, financing or simply enthusiasm.

Individually, these are separate resources.

Together, they can create something much larger.

MOTORIUM is therefore intended to grow through a combination of:

heritage + expertise + community + resources + passion

Connected internationally

MOTORIUM is conceived internationally from the beginning.

Motor culture crosses borders.

Vehicles, engineering, design, motorsport, craftsmanship and personal memories connect generations and countries.

MOTORIUM therefore aims to develop relationships with:

• collectors;
• clubs;
• museums;
• manufacturers;
• educational institutions;
• workshops;
• cultural organisations;
• motorsport organisations;
• specialists;
• international communities.

In the long term, cooperating locations and partners may form an international MOTORIUM network.

The invitation

Support motor culture.

Preserve knowledge.

Keep craftsmanship alive.

Connect collectors and specialists.

Create experiences.

Help young people discover skills and history.

Contribute your expertise.

Open your network.

Bring your passion.

Help build a new international home for motor culture and heritage.

Preserve. Drive. Experience. Connect. Become part of MOTORIUM.