Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz | Carl Benz Car Museum, Ladenburg, Germany

Experience the history of mobility from the very beginning. From the wooden wheel of von Drais to the scooters of the 1950s. From the 1st automobile in the world to the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 “Silver Arrow”. Over a hundred vehicles are displayed together with memorabilia from the life of the Benz family.

It begins with a tour at the Benz workshop, which is modeled on the historical model. There they show how the world’s first automobile was created. Two floors are dedicated to the history of mobility on two wheels. It all started with the von Drais walking machine, who drove through Mannheim for the first time in 1817 and thus became the “inventor of the bicycle”. As early as 1885, Gottlieb Daimler introduced his motor-driven “riding car”. This is where the history of the motorcycle begins.

At Carl Benz Platz cars from Benz und Benz Söhne. Only 3 vehicles from the Ladenburg auto factory remains worldwide. Two of them are now in the factory where they were once produced, alongside their relatives from Mannheim production.

In 1926 the merger between the Daimler engine company with the brand name “Mercedes” and the company Benz & Cie took place. Mercedes Benz became the new brand name. Mercedes Benz automobiles from all eras of production can be seen on Mercedes-Allee.

Under the title “Autobiography”, the impressive history of technical developments can be seen on a 40 m long illuminated wall.

The topic of motorsport has been given it’s own hall in the museum. Here they are once again side by side, the former competitors on the race tracks. From the famous AVUS racing car from 1921 to the Mercedes Silver Arrow and Formula 1 racing car of the newer generations.

Image by: Martin Dürrschnabel [CC BY]