Hellenic Motor Museum

1.     Basic Data

 

Title of the collection: Hellenic Motor Museum.

 

Description: The Hellenic Motor Museum's website offers a captivating digital journey into the world of automotive history and innovation. Featuring the Theodore Charagionis Foundation's extensive photo collection, the website showcases iconic vehicles spanning decades of automotive evolution.

Founded in March 2011 by Theodore N. Charagionis (1948-2023), businessman and former race driver, the museum itself is a testament to his lifelong passion for automobiles. Situated in central Athens atop the Athenian Capitol shopping mall, it provides a unique cultural experience for enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Beyond its impressive car collection, the museum offers interactive attractions such as a Formula 1 simulator and a road safety educational program.

As visitors explore the museum's website, they are invited to embark on a virtual journey through automotive history, guided by Charagionis's unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Whether admiring vintage classics or marveling at modern marvels, the Hellenic Motor Museum's online platform offers an immersive experience for enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

 

2.     More Information about the Collection

 

Collection and History: In the museum's digital collection, visitors have access to a variety of photographic material. From classic Maseratis to sleek Ferraris, visitors of the museum can explore over 300 meticulously curated cars, with approximately 110 on display at any given time, while more than 80 are displayed digitally on the website too. Photographic content related to the museum itself is also available throughout the webpage.

 

The Hellenic Motor Museum, founded by Theodore N. Charagionis, stems from his lifelong passion for automobiles, ignited by his father's cars. In 1977, with the birth of his first child, Charagionis transitioned from participating in competitions to collecting vintage cars based on his childhood dreams. Facing challenges due to the limited Greek market, Charagionis expanded his collection through the acquisition of additional vehicles.

Driven by a vision to redefine Greek tourism and improve the country's image, Charagionis conceived the idea of a car museum in the early 1990s. Despite the prevailing belief that car museums were unprofitable ventures, he persevered, using his experience in real estate to secure a suitable site in the center of Athens. After a decade-long process of land acquisition and construction, the Hellenic Motor Museum opened its doors in 2011.

Charagionis' dedication, with the support of his partners and family, resulted in the fulfillment of his vision. Despite personal sacrifices and challenges, the museum is a testament to his commitment to preserving automotive history and enriching the Greek heritage.

 

Copyright claims and Staff: The photo collection displayed on the website has an active 2024 copyright claim. Regarding the staff working at the facility, it is only known that the core team consists of 5 people (Chairman, General Manager, Operation Manager, Officer, Guided Tours & Media Coordinator) since Charagionis passed away in 2023.

 

Newsletter and Recent additions: A simple designed newsletter box can be found at the footer of the homepage. By filling out our email address and our name we can get informed first about the latest news related to the Hellenic Motor Museum. Otherwise, we can learn about the Hellenic Motor Museum news from the home page section called “latest news”.

 

It is worth mentioning that the website offers access to a digital tour of the museum itself. By selecting the "pop up" link  or the logo on the home page, we can navigate through the museum's 360° digital environment, interact with the cars in the exhibition (and the museum itself), see their interiors and learn about their history. The primary objective is, of course, to spread motoring culture and make it accessible to all without exception.

The website's web applications also serve the same purpose. There are 3 game applications through which we can test our reaction speed.

 

3.     Website and Navigation

 

Display: The website is modernly designed, with a beautiful yet easy to navigate interface through which everyone can find what they are looking for. After all, the main objective was to provide practical information. The home page consists of the menu, social media buttons, language selection (Greek and English), a photo slide and some basic information. There is no search interface. This is because the collection is well organized in categories and the offered items are not thousands so that a search bar is required. In the menu we have 7 category options (About us, Visit us, Car collection, Venue hire, education, Exhibitions & cultural events and Museum store) and a total of 36 subpages.

Among these subpages we will find the photo collections and links from relevant videos about the museum in addition to various information in text format. By selecting the “Car collection” category we will find the permanent photo collection organized in a car era classification (Antique, Veteran, Vintage, Post Vintage, Classic, Post Classic, Modern & Contemporary). Especially in the permanent exhibition there is a description for every car available while the photo quality is great.

Web Tools and Interactivity: The website lacks any mention or provision for an RSS Feed, leaving visitors without access to this convenient feature for staying updated. Additionally, there appears to be no functionality for users to create a profile or personalize their browsing experience, limiting the potential for engagement and customization on the platform.

On the flip side, while the website may lack an RSS Feed or personalized profiles, it does offer an avenue for visitors to engage more directly with the museum. Specifically, individuals can submit personal requests regarding the museum and its exhibitions by accessing the "venue hire" section found within the main menu. This allows for a more tailored and interactive experience, enabling visitors to potentially participate in events or activities hosted by the museum.

4.     Social Media

 

Network Platforms: Besides the “traditional” email communication with the address provided through the website, the Hellenic Motor Museum maintains an active presence across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, enhancing its visibility and engagement with enthusiasts worldwide. With a substantial following of 13,000 on Facebook and 11,000 on Instagram, these platforms serve as vibrant hubs of activity, boasting regular updates and engaging content on a weekly basis. Notably, the museum's presence on Tripadvisor further solidifies its standing as a go-to destination for activity recommendations in Athens.

The social media pages of the Hellenic Motor Museum host a more extensive collection of photos and general content in comparison to the museum's website, all while maintaining high quality standards.