A Passion - The Schlumpf Collection of Automobiles

[tod2]

Cite de L'Automobile - National Car Museum - Schlumpf collection

Automobile enthusiasts know where the famous museum of the Schlumpf brothers can be found. The National Car Museum - Schlumpf Collection is housed in a former woolen mill bought by the Schlumpf brothers in 1957 and transformed a few years later into a showcase for their collection. Here, between the Rhine and the Vosges Mountains, some 400 luxury limousines and nearly one hundred different car manufacturers are gathered, with vintage and classic cars: Panhard, Peugeot, De Dion, Ferrari, Bugatti, Benz.
During the summer, some of the cars are taken out for a spin. The Cite de l'Automobile's autodrome track gives visitors the chance to see the cars from the collection in action. A show called In the arena! 18 symbolic cars tell their story is put on every weekend.

Fritz and Hans Schlumpf -
It is not easy to render the passion animating these two brothers who - at a time when old cars were scrapped- came to the idea of buying, repairing and refurbishing 437 cars representing the epic of the European luxury car. All these jewels are now arranged in groups on washed gravel, crossed by tiled terracota coloured paths in a 17 000 sqm room, lit by 845 lampposts identical to those of the Alexandre III bridge in Paris, and voiced by a mechanical Mortier organ contemporary to the cars. It is the fulfillment of a dream. The work of the Schlumpf-brothers, testimony for the future generations will remain in Mulhouse for ever.

A visit to this museum should be taken over an entire day. At the end your mind will slowly unravel as you ponder the marvels you have just experienced at close quarters.


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The car Mr.Tod had come to see - the awesome Bugatti Veyron
Its 252-mph top speed makes it the fastest production car in the world. With 1,001 horsepower pumping from its W16 engine, it's also the world's most powerful production car. And with a price tag of about $1.5 million, it's the world's most expensive new car. For the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, everything is a superlative.
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This modern car hooked up to some mechanical device caused the occupants to scream their heads off as it rotates 360 deg. to simulate a car crash.
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The miniature display:
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I could have posted dozens more photos but it's always best to leave somethings unseen for the next visitor.

[mich64]

Oh my! My husband would enjoy this immensely. The exterior of the building is alone a work of art. I enjoy progressive historical exhibits. Were there benches, rest stops or a café inside Tod?

[kerouac2]

I know that I need to see this some day even though I have absolutely no interest in cars. But many of these are works of art and can be appreciated as such. Before cars were made on assembly lines, it was a completely different business.

[tod2]

Mich - Yes, there are long benches to sit on - see photo 11. There is a person sitting on one of many a few positioned here and there. In the same photo just a little in shot (where the woman is sitting)is a very modern "little train" which takes you around.
A warning about those long wooden benches - they can move so some have become precariously close to the edge of the hard surface, which is slightly higher than the gravel - the thin metal legs can so easily slip off and send you flying. I was surprised they had something potentially dangerous for the thousands that need a seat.
There is a good restroom and cafetaria, and of course a shop where I got my grandsons their Bugatti Veyron T.Shirts. I was not prepared for the 80 euro price of a nice toy model!

I know just how you feel about cars Kerouac and I am the same. My favourite one there was the little open surrey (pic No.4) with the fringe on top! Besides that I could not help admiring the very unusual looking vehicles.

[onlyMark]

It is certainly down on my top list of places to visit.

On a point of accuracy though, there is a minor error in the information. The Veyron has been superceded by the Chiron, which is limited to 261mph/420kmh, has the same W16 engine but power is increased to 1479 horses and the base cost is 2.4 million Euros/2.7 million $.

[kerouac2]

I am very impressed by the lamp posts. They did not buy the cheapest model.

[tod2]

Sorry Mark - No error in the information - we saw the Veyron and know about the Chiron. Thanks for the update. I thought not to mention it as I only have photos of Veyron, but it's good to have the latest information just in case any of us on this Board are thinking of ordering one.

[lugg]

Its great that these two brothers feel so passionate and work to save this amazing variety of cars , enjoyed seeing your photos Tod . What was the history of the blue tank like car - I think pic no 14 , do you know ?

[fumobici]

Thanks for the report, gets a gearhead going looking at those old cars.

[tod2]

Lugg, I'm sorry I can't tell you a thing about that strange looking blue car. It looks like something from a movie hey?
The history of the (now deceased) Sclumpf brothers is a fascinating one and can be Googled for their story.

[onlyMark]

The blue one is also a Bugatti -

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugatti_Type_32

[tod2]

I knew there was a motor fundi here somewhere! Thanks Mark - I see it was built in 1923 which astounds me as it looks incredibly futuristic.

[mossie]

Oct 27, 2017 17:11:38 GMT tod2 said:

Sorry Mark - No error in the information - we saw the Veyron and know about the Chiron. Thanks for the update. I thought not to mention it as I only have photos of Veyron, but it's good to have the latest information just in case any of us on this Board are thinking of ordering one.

I was going to get two. One to keep polished up for Sunday afternoon drives, and the second for shopping. Then I saw how fast they went and chickened out.

[onlyMark]

I'm sure you'd look good in either of them though Mossie. Maybe a Morgan Aero8 would be even better and more affordable. Parking up at Asda would cause a kerfuffle I'm sure.

[bixaorellana]

You are a good wife and a good sport, Tod, not to mention a great report-maker!

What a beautifully designed museum and the history behind it is really something. Thank goodness for those brothers who thought to preserve some incredible design before it disappeared.

Are you saving your butter&egg money to get Mr. Tod his heart's desire?