Musée National de l'Automobile de Mulhouse
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The Musée National de l'Automobile de Mulhouse is located in Mulhouse, France and houses the Schlumpf Collection of classic automobiles. It contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of Bugatti motor vehicles in the World.
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[edit] History
The museum has an interesting history. The original collection was secretly established within a textile mill by brothers Hans Schlumpf and Fritz Schlumpf.
Fritz Schlumpf began collecting the cars in earnest in the early 1950's. While an enormous variety of marques are represented in the museum, it is clear that the primary focus of the Schlumpf brothers was Bugatti. The collection was assembled with a great deal of secrecy. Many, including irate members of Bugatti clubs around the world knew of the collection, although the scale of the enterprise became a surprise to almost everybody.
A team of up to 40 carpenters, sadlers, and master mechanics were assembled to carry out the restoration work.
The brothers amassed the collection with a single mindedness often referred to as The Schlumpf Obsession.
Funding for the acquisition and restoration work came from the textile mills owned by the Schlumpf's. However, by the late 1960's, the textile industry was in decline. During 1977 the mill workers protested and threatened to destroy the cars. An unrestored Austin 7 was burned and the workers union representative remarked "There are 600 more where this one came from".
The museum is dedicated to the Schlumpf brothers' mother Jeanne Schlumpf; there is a small shrine to her at the entrance to the museum.
The museum is now listed as a National Heritage site by the French Government.
[edit] The Collections
The collection includes over 400 vehicles.
As well as an amazing array of over 100 Bugattis, the museum also houses many Mercedes-Benz, eight early Benz vehicles and a variety of other marques including Maserati, Panhard-Levassor, Darracq, Clement-DeDion, Serpollet, Renaults, Peugeots, Porsches and Ferraris.
In particular, the museum houses:
Three Type 41 "Royale"s are on display in the museum. Two of the original six royales and one which is a replica of the Esder Royale created at the Schlumpf brothers workshops from genuine Bugatti spare parts,
A 1935 Maybach Zeppelin,
[edit] Information
Location 192, avenue de Colmar - BP 1096 - 68051 Mulhouse cedex
[edit] External links
[edit] References, and further reading:
- Jenkinson, Denis and Peter Verstappen. The Schlumpf Obsession. Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd, 1977. ISBN 0-600-382275-3.
