The Nationales Automuseum is the brainchild of Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Loh, a German entrepreneur and passionate automobile collector. In 2023, Loh transformed his private collection right into a public treasure, showcasing automotive history on a grand scale.
Loh, who led his family’s company to international success in steel cabinetry and software solutions, has long nurtured a deep passion for cars. His collection is a testament not only to that but in addition to his appreciation for technically significant vehicles which have shaped the course of automotive history.
I recently had the chance to go to this extraordinary museum, which is currently divided into two parts: a brief Ferrari exhibition (which I’ll share with you in a separate post) and a everlasting collection valued at US$1.5 billion.
The everlasting collection houses about 150 rare and exceptional vehicles, spanning many years of innovation and design. Tucked away within the scenic Hesse region of Germany, the museum incorporates a stunning choice of classic and high-performance sports cars.
Its location in Dietzhölztal-Ewersbach adds an additional layer of charm. Once the location of Omnical GmbH’s production facilities, in 2015 it began being transformed right into a museum while preserving its industrial heritage and unique architectural character.
The experience begins with two yesteryear-themed corridors, where an array of highly polished pre-WW2 cars set the stage. Here, iconic names like Bugatti, Bentley, Talbot-Lago, and Mercedes-Benz recall a golden era of automotive luxury and innovation. However the surprises don’t end there. I used to be blown away by rarer gems, including the front-wheel-drive 1932 Bucciali TAV8-32 V12, nicknamed ‘Golden Arrow’ by its French creator Jacques Saoutchik. The stunning Austro-Daimler ADR 635’s futuristic design for its time offers a rare glimpse into an alternate vision of the car.
The essential hall, with its steeply banked curves paying homage to a race or test track, houses most of the museum’s most well-known vehicles. Each automobile on this centerpiece has its own fascinating story.
Among the many highlights is the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, once the world’s costliest production automobile, with only six examples ever made. Next to it’s the Bugatti Veyron, a high-speed icon of the trendy era.
Other notable cars include a vibrant orange Lamborghini Countach, a sleek Lamborghini 350 GT, Porsche’s iconic 959 S, and the legendary 2.7 RS, which birthed the Stuttgart factory’s RennSport dynasty. The gathering also features among the most recognizable models in history, resembling the Shelby Cobra, BMW 507, Jaguar E-Type, and Citroën DS.
Behind the curve, a multi-story parking garage houses 30 vehicles in a striking vertical display that jogged my memory of how some people arrange their Hot Wheels collections.
Between the 2 structures, a hallway is devoted to a choice of historic DTM cars just like the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evo and BMW E30 M3, alongside newer touring cars and a group of classic Formula 1 and Le Mans racers.
Considered one of the highlights of my visit was the special exhibition celebrating 125 years of Opel. This showcase featured a series of serious vehicles from the German automaker’s wealthy history. Among the many standouts was the 1899 Patentmotorwagen, alongside the gold-plated Kapitän, which commemorates the production of Opel’s two-millionth vehicle.
A transparent favorite was the Opel Corsa ‘Moon,’ a playful design study from 1997 that heralded a facelift for the favored model.
Opel’s early foray into electric vehicles was also represented with the 1971 Elektro GT. This pioneering automobile, powered by two Bosch DC motors producing 120hp (peaking at 160hp), gave a glimpse into the longer term of EV technology. Despite its progressive design, the Elektro GT’s 280 nickel-cadmium batteries added a hefty 590kg (1,300lbs) to the vehicle’s weight, pushing its total to 1,550kg (3,417lbs).
Nearby, one other notable Opel was the ECO Speedster, an progressive vehicle that set 17 world records in a single 24-hour period in the course of the height of Europe’s diesel automobile boom. This compact racer, with its 1.2L engine and 112hp, achieved an astonishing fuel efficiency of 92.6mpg (2.54L/100km) while still managing to hit 250km/h.
Opel’s competition heritage was well represented, with iconic race cars just like the 1983 Safari Rally Opel Ascona, the Opel Manta 400, and the striking ‘Cliff’ Calibra, alongside other motorsport legends.
The red Opel Astra OPC X-Treme was a private highlight. This automobile holds sentimental value as the quilt vehicle of the primary automotive magazine I ever purchased.
The Nationales Automuseum deeply delves into automotive culture, innovation, and history. Whether you’re drawn to the svelte lines of a Lamborghini Miura SV or fascinated by the story behind the DeLorean DMC-12, there’s something here for each automobile enthusiast.
Stay tuned for part two of my visit: the Ferrari Collection.
Vladimir Ljadov
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This Article First Appeared At www.speedhunters.com
