Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz

About the museum

The Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz is based on the private collection of classic car enthusiast Winfried A. Seidel. Seidel was for many years president of the Mercedes-Benz-Veteranen-Club and organizer of the Veterama classic car fair; over decades he assembled vehicles and documents relating to Carl Benz and his family.

The building itself is a piece of automotive history: Carl Benz bought a plot of land in Ladenburg in 1905 and founded the company C. Benz Söhne there in 1906 with his son Eugen; two years later his son Richard joined as well. Around 300 automobiles were built in the halls until the 1920s. Later the site was used to manufacture armaments, overhaul engines and finally produce parts for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles.

In 2004 Seidel acquired the factory grounds and had the halls restored with support from Daimler-Benz. The museum opened in 2005 and is run by the association Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz e. V. Since then, some of the cars once built here have returned to the place where they were made.

The tour leads through six stations: a recreated Benz workshop, two floors of two-wheeler history from Drais’s running machine to the motor scooter, Benz and Mercedes-Benz automobiles from every era, a long illuminated wall on the history of technology and the times, and a dedicated motorsport hall. The exhibits are displayed openly without barriers. The museum is an official partner of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

Highlights

• The last two surviving C. Benz Söhne automobiles, at the place where they were built
• Recreated Benz workshop with a replica of the Patent Motor Car
• Two-wheeler history from Karl Drais’s running machine to motor scooters of the 1950s
• Motorsport hall from the 1921 AVUS race car to the McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 car
• 40-meter illuminated wall on automotive history and the times

Permanent exhibitions

• Sechs Stationen der Mobilitätsgeschichte – Tour from the recreated Benz workshop through two-wheelers, Benz and Mercedes-Benz automobiles and an illuminated wall on contemporary history to the motorsport hall. More than a hundred vehicles and mementos of the Benz family.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Automuseum Dr. Carl Benz e. V.

Director

Winfried A. Seidel

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, suitable for people with disabilities; details (elevator to the two-wheeler floor, restroom) not stated.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Take the A5, exit Ladenburg, toward “Ladenburg West”; go straight through the roundabout onto Benzstraße, then turn left onto Ilvesheimer Straße; the museum is on the left after about 100 m. From Heidelberg via the B3 and the L597.

Amenities & dining

A DVD about the museum (40 min.) can be ordered from the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 400 guests.

Industrial hall for cultural events, corporate events, conferences, seminars and private celebrations: up to 400 people standing, 250 in row seating, 40–150 at tables. Inquiries by phone or email.

Plan your visit