Automuseum Braunschweig

About the museum

The collection goes back to Jürgen Kolle, who began preserving vehicles in the 1960s – initially mostly Volkswagens, which dominated the streets during the postwar economic miracle. That is why the museum logo combines the Braunschweig lion with the split rear window of the early Beetle. In 2009 Kolle opened the collection to the public as a museum; at first it was called “Sammlung historischer Fahrzeuge” (Collection of Historic Vehicles) and opened only on a few Sundays a year, but today it welcomes visitors daily by prior arrangement.

More than 100 exhibits are displayed on over 5,000 square meters in halls at Falkenhorst near Braunschweig Airport. In addition to numerous Beetle variants, including police vehicles and export models, the museum shows cars from BMW, Porsche, Ford and other makes, as well as rare one-offs such as the Hanko “Rheingold” from the 1930s.

The car collection is complemented by postwar scooters and mopeds, pedal cars and models, a Bölkow Junior light aircraft whose cockpit visitors may enter, a railway dining car from 1921 and a large garden railway. The museum is privately run, charges no admission and is financed by donations.

Highlights

• The “Antarctic Beetle” and many other rare VW Beetle variants
• The Hanko “Rheingold” from the 1930s, a rare one-off
• Bölkow Junior light aircraft with a cockpit you can climb into
• Dining car from 1921
• Garden railway with more than 100 meters of track

Permanent exhibitions

• Fahrzeugsammlung – Around 100 years of automotive history, from prewar cars to modern classics, with a focus on Volkswagen, complemented by two-wheelers, aviation, railways and toys.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Jürgen Kolle (Privatsammlung)

Director

Jürgen Kolle

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

No admission charge; the museum asks for donations (on site or via PayPal).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Visitors may sit in the pilot's seat of the Messerschmitt-Bölkow Junior airplane; also a large model railway layout.

Getting there & parking

Directly on the A 2, exit 56 (Braunschweig-Flughafen).

Amenities & dining

No food service listed; bringing your own food is allowed, and picnics in the historic dining car can be arranged. Charging for e-bikes; dogs are welcome.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Exhibition and grounds available for weddings, corporate and private parties; chauffeured classic car rides and photo shoots on request. Capacity not specified.

Plan your visit