National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collectionfor fans of classic cars

Since purchasing their first company in 1935, the Schlumpf brothers, Hans and Fritz, started by investing in the Mulhouse textile industry. But between 1961 and 1963 Fritz secretly began buying a number of classic cars.

After two years, as the collection went from strength to strength, an idea began to take root in his mind. So he refurbished one of his factories to make a huge 17,000 m² showroom.

But a crisis at the Schlumpf factory in 1976 thwarted his project and in an attempt to escape pursuit the two brothers took refuge in Basel. The "Schlumpf affair" lasted until 1979 and the collection went on sale the following year.

Purchased by the National Car Museum Association, the museum opened its doors in 1982. It was renovated and modernised in 2000 and then again in 2006.

You cannot fail to be moved by the monumental entrance to the museum. Before you, an imposing wood, glass and steel door is decorated with cars suspended several metres above for an immediate ‘wow’ factor.

Upon entering the museum, you will follow a wall of images that plunges you almost immediately into the depths of automobile passion.

In the first section, the visit starts by telling the story of the automobile adventure throughout the ages, from the oldest to more modern vehicles. A story broken down into 243 iconic models, all impeccably aligned.

The two sections entitled ‘racing’ and ‘dream cars’ gather together some exceptional models whose shiny chromes and curves will not fail to dazzle you!

And finally make way for the stars of the museum, the iconic and extremely rare Bugatti Royale and Bugatti Veyron with its breathtaking speed record!

There are only six in the world and two of them are on show at the National Automobile Museum: the Bugatti Royale is undoubtedly the jewel of the museum.

An outrageous car in every sense of the word, its characteristics will make your head spin: 6m long, evaluated at between 200 and 300 horsepower. Intended for kings and millionaires, this outstanding limousine never found an owner. But it did become a legend.

You can admire the Bugatti Royale "Coupé Napoléon", Ettore Bugatti's personal car, and the Bugatti Royale Esders in unusual green tones and perfect lines.

A worthy heir to its ancestor, the Bugatti Veyron, manufactured in Molsheim, Alsace, continues the quest for elegance and style as well as mechanics and performance since this supercar holds an impressive speed record of 431 km/h.

Wouldn’t you love to know how vintage cars are restored to their former beauty? Do you wonder about the ‘life’ of a vintage car? Are you mad about what goes on under the bonnet? Three dedicated areas focus on these very subjects.

The private collections are also worth seeing. Admire the figurines that adorn car bonnets in the mascot collection, including the famous Rolls Royce "Spirit of Ecstasy". And children (adults too) might like the Jammet Collection of more than 100 children's cars for an emotional trip down memory lane.

In addition to the collection, see the museum from a different perspective!

For example, discover two real assembly-line robots in action (from the PSA Peugeot Citroën factory), have a photograph taken at the wheel of a Talbot, or experience the thrill of the rollover in a specially adapted vehicle.

At the "Autodrome" (race track), try your hand at driving a classic car or a sports car thanks to My Classic Automobile, which awaits you every day from April to November.