Museum für historische Maybach-Fahrzeuge

About the museum

Maybach automobiles were built by hand and to order in Friedrichshafen between 1921 and 1941; of the roughly 1,800 cars produced, only about 160 survive worldwide. Neumarkt entrepreneurs Anna and Dr. Helmut Hofmann have been collecting these vehicles since the 1980s and have assembled more than a tenth of the surviving stock in order to make it accessible to the public.

The museum is housed on the site of the former Express-Werke on Holzgartenstraße. Bicycles, and later also mopeds and motorcycles, were built there from 1884 to 1959; the company grew out of the Goldschmidt & Pirzer velocipede factory and was one of the pioneers of the German two-wheeler industry. After various other uses, the halls were threatened with decay and demolition until the Hofmanns had them converted, starting in 2005 and using private funds, into an ensemble of museum, offices, and event spaces.

The museum was inaugurated on June 13, 2009, with around 700 guests, including descendants of the Maybach family. On about 2,500 square meters, the chronological exhibition traces the history of Wilhelm and Karl Maybach and their engine building – with vehicles in widely varying condition, plus engines, transmissions, models, and films. A separate section commemorates the Express-Werke and their two-wheelers, and a collection of cutaway models is used mainly for work with school classes.

Highlights

• 18 to 20 historic Maybach automobiles from 1921–1941
• Vehicles ranging from a sawn-apart barn find to a concours classic
• Maybach engines, transmissions, and axles
• Express section on bicycles and motorcycles from the former factory
• Converted industrial building of the Express-Werke

Permanent exhibitions

• Maybach-Ausstellung – Chronological tour on Wilhelm and Karl Maybach with historic luxury cars, engines, transmissions, models, films, and stories of famous first owners.
• Express-Ausstellung – Two-wheeler production of the Express-Werke at the original site, presented with large photos, machines, tools, and bicycles and motorcycles, mostly from the 1950s.

Founded

2009

Operated by

Anna und Dr. Helmut Hofmann (privat)

Admission & discounts

Gift vouchers (individual and family admission, also with a guided tour) can be ordered by phone or email; shipping €3.

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, the museum grounds are accessible. Step-free access via the delivery entrance opposite the Ingolstädter Straße parking lot (doorbell); main entrance at Holzgartenstraße 8.

Kids & families

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

Getting there & parking

Via the A3 (Nuremberg–Regensburg), A9, B299, and B8; in Neumarkt, follow the “Museumsroute” signs.

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Event spaces including the foyer, totaling 620 m², for about 80–150 people, e.g. corporate presentations, conferences, family gatherings, and birthday parties; courtyard, blackout capability, and ground-level delivery entrance. Catering by Restaurant W3; museum tours can be booked.

Plan your visit