After many years I had rekindled a friendship with two car loving friends. At the beginning of the year we decided to take that boys trip we never had. Well they love cars in Germany so why not go there? I started my research, looking for the very best car spots in Western Germany. The obvious ones were of course on the list BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and some non-obvious ones Motorworld’s and Classic Remise. Whilst looking I kept seeing videos and snippets of a collection but it wasn’t until I saw Shmee150’s video did I discover the mecca which is Loh.
Based 2 Hours away from Dusseldorf in a quaint hilly valley with white house sits the most amazing personal collection I have been to. Started by Professor Doctor Friedhelm Loh, The Loh Collection now known as Nationales Automuseum Loh Collection is based Dietzhölztal-Ewersbach and houses 150+ cars from across the years and motor disciplines. The site which was owned by boiler manufacturer Buderus and Omnical, became the base for the building which then expanded upon to present the collection.
Set in the original foundations of the building is the main hall where a whole host of classic and modern cars can be found. In the purpose-built foyer sits what admittedly I came for… Ferrari’s! Located just past the New York inspired Bistro you will find a set of unassuming stairs which leads your up to the permanent Ferrari exhibition.
Before travelling to The Loh Collection I reached out to them to see if it would be possible to get a bit more up-close and personal than the average museum visitor does. With a quick reply, Florian from The Loh Collection happily obliged and with all the stars aligned we set off for those unassuming stairs. Granted early access we had to take a different entrance in which meant we didn’t see anything prior to walking up the stairs. First set of stairs points your eyes towards the gift shop and with a 180 degree turn you see your first glimpse of red.. a Ferrari 288 GTO then an F40, F50, Enzo, La Ferrari, Clay Regazzoni and Nikki Lauda’s F1 cars, P3, Michael’s and Kimi’s cars and so on.
As Florian walked us around and talked to me about the different models I couldn’t really here what he was saying as my heart rate had increased so much it had affected my hearing. Yes, I have been around the Big 5 before and I have seen most of these cars, but I was at an event or other museum with other people, these were just for me! I was allowed to get past the barriers, move things to get the perfect shot, open the cars up and study them. As I had been writing Rosso Auto and the work has been growing the doors have been opening because people can see what I am doing. To be given this access based on my work really got to me.
With a busy day ahead of him Florian gave me the Do’s and Don’ts and let me be free. With an hour and a bit until the regular punters came in I got cracking to only discover my camera was not happy. Panic and fear had set in. “I am going to muck this up and look like and amateur”. With no time to spare I got started. I was slowed down by my camera and missed quite a few shots I wanted due to time but I would have never had that much unfiltered access before so can’t complain about what I did manage to get.
Around 10.30am a guided tour came around. These German natives must have been a bit confused as to why there was a frazzled man wondering around the cars with no shoes on. I did have a good reason for that, and it was to not damage the displays. Top tip, take EVERYTHING out of your pockets, wear soft clothes and no watches, unless you can afford to fix a scratch or a scuff! With a few too many bodies now in the background I took solace in what I had got and headed to the “curve”. Florian; FYI we have a 250 Lusso in the courtyard you should photograph as well. So I did!
Walking in to the original factory the cars grow in age. I am not a fan of early commercial vehicles or turn of the century cars but classic pre-war, oh yeah. Blowers, Duesenbergs, Bugatti’s and classic Mercedes-Benz are super cool especially when staged in a period correct environment (really nice touch). Next to the cinema is the gang way which leads you to the main room. Down this gangway you are greeted to a fully exposed Chiron and W16 engine casually placed on a stand.
The curve begins. Oldest all the way to the newest and stacked in 3, you will find some of the hottest cars from the years sat on the banking. Normally this alone is an impressive site until you see the match box wall behind. I won’t go into too much detail about the cars here but there were impressive models. At the end of the curve is a Mercedes tribute featuring 2 specials Maybach's, Gullwing and AMG one. Heading towards the matchbox wall is a vast collection of track cars from DTM, GT, Cup and F1. Sat pride and place is Michael's 2000 car followed by 2 super cool cars. The Peugeot 404 team car and team bus! Both loaded up with a 1512 and Nikki Lauda’s 312T Canopy. All around the area is racing paraphernalia from different drivers and manufacturers.
With the collection done and sat enjoying a coffee it is amazing to think that one man passion has developed to such a scale he didn’t feel it needed to be hidden but embraced by people who truly love cars. Not boxed up and hidden away. I really do thank Professor Doctor Friedhelm Loh and Florian for embracing my passion and letting me see this collection.
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