Automuseum Prototyp

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum was founded by collectors Oliver Schmidt and Thomas König, whose shared passion for historic sports and racing cars began in a garage more than 25 years ago. On April 12, 2008, they opened their museum under the motto “Personen. Kraft. Wagen.” (a play on the German word for passenger car): alongside the vehicles, the focus is on the designers and racing drivers who shaped them. The museum is independent of any car brand and receives no government funding.

It occupies a factory building on Shanghaiallee that was built between 1902 and 1907 for the rubber works Dr. Heinr. Traun & Söhne, formerly the Harburger Gummi-Kamm-Compagnie. Hard rubber had already been produced on this site since 1855. After war damage, the building was restored by 1951 and then used by a graphic arts company; it has been a listed monument since 2004.

Around 50 vehicles stand on three levels without barriers, including early designs from the Porsche engineering office, Volkswagen prototypes, German postwar racing cars, and modern race cars. Since 2015, the museum has also displayed parts of the former museum devoted to Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips. Interactive stations such as a driving simulator round out the tour. Special exhibitions, changing annually, focus on topics such as the Porsche 911, BMW Art Cars, or Italian sports cars. With the “PROTOTYP Lofts,” the building also serves as an event venue.

Highlights

• Porsche Type 64 “Berlin-Rom-Wagen” from 1939
• VW39 pre-production car from 1939
• Porsche 356/2 Gmünd Coupé (1949) and the oldest surviving Porsche built in Germany (1950)
• Jordan 191, Michael Schumacher's first Formula 1 car
• Lounge devoted to racing driver Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips
• Porsche 356 driving simulator, audio box, and miniature wind tunnel

Permanent exhibitions

• Personen. Kraft. Wagen. – 80 Jahre Automobilgeschichte – The permanent exhibition from the founders' collection shows one-of-a-kind VW and Porsche cars, vintage cars, and race cars, and tells the stories of the people behind them, such as Ferdinand Porsche and Otto Mathé.
• Graf Trips – Ritter der Rennstrecke – In the lounge, exhibits, photos, and films shed light on the career and personality of racing driver Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips.

Founded

2008

Operated by

PROTOTYP GmbH

Admission & discounts

Discounts for holders of the Hamburg Card (15% according to Hamburg Tourismus) and the Budni card. Special exhibitions can only be visited together with the permanent exhibition. Gift vouchers available.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Certified accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility: all areas step-free, door widths of at least 90 cm, elevator, accessible restroom with transfer space on both sides (according to Hamburg Tourismus). Dogs are generally not allowed; no information is given on assistance dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Children's quiz in the interactive library; to try out, there is a Porsche 356 driving simulator, an audio box with engine sounds and a mini wind tunnel. Family ticket for two adults and up to three children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café "Erlkönig" (also without a museum visit, cash only); shop with model cars and specialist literature. Free coat check, lockers with a €1 deposit.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 1,400 guests.

Four spaces in the “PROTOTYP Lofts” (Main Loft North, South, and East, plus a lounge with a brick vault) with courtyard and terraces, with free choice of caterer, for celebrations of up to 1,400 people, conferences, and product presentations. Additional options: dinner among the exhibits, exclusive tours, a streaming studio, and a museum rally.

Plan your visit