Museums of Europe – Daimler-Benz

          Damiler-Benz Museum


         The first motorcycle


Many of the least-likely places in Germany have strong connections with the motorcycle, and this is also true of Daimler-Benz, who invented it. In 1885 Gottlieb Daimler built a wooden-framed machine to demonstrate his 260 cc single, which produced half a horsepower, and was capable of about 7 mph. This little machine was destroyed during the war, but with true Teutonic thoroughness the original drawings had been preserved, and were used to produce several copies, one of which is on display.

The museum was set up at the request of Alfried Neubauer, the manager of the company's racing teams from the 'Silver Arrow' days of the 'thirties to their Le Mans victories in the mid-fifties. It involved the total refurbishment (by apprentices) of all the exhibits made before that date; since then it has been a simple matter to remove a vehicle from the production line.

When I first visited the Museum in 1981 it was hidden within the factory complex, but a new building has recently been opened outside, in the form of a massive eight-level structure of startling design, built above its own two-floor parking area, with a restaurant providing truly excellent meals, and a shop. As with most of Germany, it is closed on Mondays.

Entry to the museum costs 8 Euro, with a 50% discount to over-sixties, after which one is provided with a small radio receiver which gives a commentary on the nearest exhibit in one's own language, after which one is free to wander through the finest manufacturer's collection in the world. Bags and coats etc. can be stored in lockers.

After taking a lift which climbs the wall of an eight-level atrium the visitor descends to each exhibition hall along a spiral ramp, lined with large back-lit photographs showing the history of Daimler-Benz, and the impact upon the Company of the economic, political, and social influences of each period. Unlike the BMW Museum, no punches are pulled in connection with activities during WW2, such as the use of slave labourers, the Company making restitution when business conditions made it possible.

        The first V twin


The exhibits range from the world’s first horizontally-opposed twin and vee-twin engines to massive groups of racing cars, shown on a curved and banked ‘circuit,’ with small exhibits covering the development of equipment such as headlights and superchargers.

         The world’s first horizontally-opposed twin


As is the case of BMW, the Company's very considerable achievements in the aero-engine field deserve to be displayed with more prominence, although perhaps some of the more interesting projects, such as the first by-pass jet engine, were taken to the United States after the war.

          The cars which made the legend

This criticism certainly does not apply to the racing history of Daimler-Benz, with plenty of cars, from before WW1 to that in which Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson won the 1955 Mille Miglia, and those built for the ill-fated Le Mans 24-hour race of that year. Of particular interest is a mid-fifties W196 grand prix car, minus bodywork, showing its straight-eight engine (built – as were their early aircraft engines – of welded sheet steel), huge inboard drum brakes, and the space frame chassis. These engines featured desmodromic (positive springless operation) valves and variable-length inlet tracts – there is nothing really new in engineering, just better ways of doing it.

As a manufacturer of heavy vehicles, Daimler-Benz trucks and buses are included in the collection, but I would have liked to see more technical displays, such as the operation of their epicyclic gearboxes, and sectioned engines.

This collection, however, remains the manufacturer’s museum by which all the others must be judged, as it includes a massive number of fascinating exhibits of all types displayed against the background of the company’s – and the world’s – history.

Daimler-Benz would have been just another 'failed' entry in the history of motor manufacturers but for the intervention of their chief engineer, Wilhelm Maybach, who designed a new car using a steering wheel (rather than a tiller) a steel chassis, and front wheel brakes. The rest is history, but Maybach did not receive the partnership he deserved, and left to found his own company in Friedrichshafen. Maybach produced some of the truly great German cars during the period between the wars, and as a partner in Motoren und Turbinen Union, his company has now returned to the Daimler-Benz fold. The Maybach collection is also worth a visit, but that is another story.

The best way to find the Daimler-Benz museum is to enter Stuttgart from the east, using the B10, which can be reached via the A8 autobahn junction 55. Watch for the white signs with the Daimler-Benz logo on them, and take the exit for Bad Cannstadt. At the end of the slip road turn right, and also at the next large junction; this is Mercedes Strasse. 

If approaching from the south, take the A81 into the city, then the B14 through several tunnels, following the signs for football, the sports stadium, and campsite; they are virtually the same. Look out for the River Neckar, and turn immediately right after crossing it, onto the B10 Mercedes Strasse.

In either case, after the Porsche Arena follow the sign to the right, to pass in front of the museum.   Follow the road around Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung Stuttgart, and turn into the museum’s underground parking area on the left.

When leaving do not try to head south – it's a nightmare! Instead, use the B10 to travel west (Karlsruhe & Pforzheim) or east (Esslingen and Ulm). The local campsite is well signed from Mercedes Strasse opposite the Porsche Arena, and is of high quality.

Article and photos by Mike Fishwick - first published in the BMW Club Journal