AWD Museum

About the museum

August Wurring (1901–1990) trained as an electrical machinery builder in Ratingen during the First World War and then became self-employed with motorcycles. In 1921 he founded a small factory in Breitscheid near Ratingen and named his company AWD – "August Wurring Düsseldorf". Only a few machines were built, each individually adapted; Wurring gave a lifetime guarantee on the breaking strength of his frames.

During the Second World War the motorcycle factory became a repair shop for Wehrmacht vehicles. After the war, light motorcycles were made again, later very small series up to 250 cc. As the market shifted toward cars, the company built special vehicles for agriculture and fire brigades, and well-known racing drivers had their race cars built in Breitscheid into the 1970s.

The factory buildings and a large stock of motorcycles were preserved. In 2014 vintage vehicle friends joined to form the AWD-Förderverein (support association) to help Wurring's grandson Thomas von der Bey and his family with the urgent renovation. In the same year the roof of the old storage hall was renewed; at the end of April 2015 the museum opened to the public for the first time at an open day. Today it shows the historic production rooms and an exhibition hall with around 70 two-, three- and four-wheeled vehicles.

Highlights

• Original surviving production rooms of a small motorcycle factory
• Exhibition hall with around 70 vehicles from five decades
• Free guided tours on opening days
• Insight into 50 years of motorcycle and contemporary history

Permanent exhibition

• Produktionsstätte und Ausstellungshalle – The surviving workshop rooms of the factory and a hall with around 70 motorcycles and other vehicles show five decades of motorcycle manufacturing and contemporary history.

Founded

2015

Operated by

AWD-Förderverein e. V. und Familie von der Bey

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission and guided tours are free; donations to the support association are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

Not accessible due to the old buildings; if needed, please contact the museum before your visit.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

Refreshments are available outdoors on opening days; proceeds go toward maintaining the buildings.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit