The Nationales Automuseum is the brainchild of Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Loh, a German entrepreneur and passionate automotive collector. In 2023, Loh reworked his personal assortment right into a public treasure, showcasing automotive historical past on a grand scale.
Loh, who led his household’s firm to worldwide success in metal cabinetry and software program options, has lengthy nurtured a deep ardour for automobiles. His assortment is a testomony not solely to that but additionally to his appreciation for technically important autos which have formed the course of automotive historical past.
I lately had the chance to go to this extraordinary museum, which is presently divided into two components: a brief Ferrari exhibition (which I’ll share with you in a separate publish) and a everlasting assortment valued at US$1.5 billion.
The everlasting assortment homes about 150 uncommon and distinctive autos, spanning a long time of innovation and design. Tucked away within the scenic Hesse area of Germany, the museum contains a gorgeous collection of basic and high-performance sports activities automobiles.
Its location in Dietzhölztal-Ewersbach provides an additional layer of allure. As soon as the positioning of Omnical GmbH’s manufacturing services, in 2015 it started being reworked right into a museum whereas preserving its industrial heritage and distinctive architectural character.
The expertise begins with two yesteryear-themed corridors, the place an array of extremely polished pre-WW2 automobiles set the stage. Right here, iconic names like Bugatti, Bentley, Talbot-Lago, and Mercedes-Benz recall a golden period of automotive luxurious and innovation. However the surprises don’t finish there. I used to be blown away by rarer gems, together with the front-wheel-drive 1932 Bucciali TAV8-32 V12, nicknamed ‘Golden Arrow’ by its French creator Jacques Saoutchik. The gorgeous Austro-Daimler ADR 635’s futuristic design for its time affords a uncommon glimpse into an alternate imaginative and prescient of the auto.
The principle corridor, with its steeply banked curves harking back to a race or take a look at monitor, homes lots of the museum’s most well-known autos. Every automotive on this centerpiece has its personal fascinating story.
Among the many highlights is the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, as soon as the world’s costliest manufacturing automotive, with solely six examples ever made. Subsequent to it’s the Bugatti Veyron, a high-speed icon of the trendy period.
Different notable automobiles embrace a brilliant orange Lamborghini Countach, a smooth Lamborghini 350 GT, Porsche’s iconic 959 S, and the legendary 2.7 RS, which birthed the Stuttgart manufacturing unit’s RennSport dynasty. The gathering additionally options among the most recognizable fashions in historical past, such because the Shelby Cobra, BMW 507, Jaguar E-Kind, and Citroën DS.
Behind the curve, a multi-story parking storage homes 30 autos in a placing vertical show that jogged my memory of how some folks prepare their Sizzling Wheels collections.
Between the 2 constructions, a hallway is devoted to a collection of historic DTM automobiles just like the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evo and BMW E30 M3, alongside newer touring automobiles and a group of basic Method 1 and Le Mans racers.
One of many highlights of my go to was the particular exhibition celebrating 125 years of Opel. This showcase featured a collection of serious autos from the German automaker’s wealthy historical past. Among the many standouts was the 1899 Patentmotorwagen, alongside the gold-plated Kapitän, which commemorates the manufacturing of Opel’s two-millionth car.
A transparent favourite was the Opel Corsa ‘Moon,’ a playful design examine from 1997 that heralded a facelift for the favored mannequin.
Opel’s early foray into electrical autos was additionally represented with the 1971 Elektro GT. This pioneering automotive, powered by two Bosch DC motors producing 120hp (peaking at 160hp), gave a glimpse into the way forward for EV know-how. Regardless of its progressive design, the Elektro GT’s 280 nickel-cadmium batteries added a hefty 590kg (1,300lbs) to the car’s weight, pushing its whole to 1,550kg (3,417lbs).
Close by, one other notable Opel was the ECO Speedster, an progressive car that set 17 world information in a single 24-hour interval throughout the top of Europe’s diesel automotive growth. This compact racer, with its 1.2L engine and 112hp, achieved an astonishing gas effectivity of 92.6mpg (2.54L/100km) whereas nonetheless managing to hit 250km/h.
Opel’s competitors heritage was properly represented, with iconic race automobiles just like the 1983 Safari Rally Opel Ascona, the Opel Manta 400, and the placing ‘Cliff’ Calibra, alongside different motorsport legends.
The crimson Opel Astra OPC X-Treme was a private spotlight. This automotive holds sentimental worth as the duvet car of the primary automotive journal I ever bought.
The Nationales Automuseum deeply delves into automotive tradition, innovation, and historical past. Whether or not you’re drawn to the svelte strains of a Lamborghini Miura SV or fascinated by the story behind the DeLorean DMC-12, there’s one thing right here for each automotive fanatic.
Keep tuned for half two of my go to: the Ferrari Assortment.
Vladimir Ljadov
Instagram: wheelsbywovka
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www.wheelsbywovka.com
