Located in Germany approximately 1 hour south of Frankfurt, the Auto & Technik Museum
Sinsheim is Europe’s largest private museum. The entry fee is modest (I believe it was five euros), and there’s nearly
300,000 square feet of indoor exhibits. Step inside to see some of the many vehicles on display. If there’s enough
interest, I’ll upload some more in a second post.
Sinsheim supposedly has the largest collection of Formula 1 cars in Europe (the above shot doesn?t even show half of
them).
The 1977-78 Tyrell is certainly one of the most unique race cars ever, using 4 front wheels of reduced
height to reduce aerodynamic drag. I suspect that there may have been an advantage with traction as well. This was
from the age where Grand Prix racing actually contained some technical innovation, as strange as it may have looked at
times.
The Mercedes-Benz G 4 was intended to be transportation for generals and other high-ranking officials of the German
army. While it appears to be six-wheel-drive, only the four rear wheels were driven by the 10-speed transmission (five
forward ranges with a two-speed splitter).
The only reason I?m including a picture of the Kleinschnittger F125 above is that one of my co-workers made a crack
about it being ?the original prototype for the new Dodge Ram?, which struck me as quite funny.
Interestingly enough, the museum didn?t display much modern German machinery. The Mercedes-McLaren SLR was an
exception. While I didn?t think it looked all that great in pictures, it?s dang sharp in person.
The Lamborghini LM002 (developed as a competitor to the Humvee for military trials in the late 70s) still looks
bad-ass. It seems perfect for running across the desert at high speeds, except for the fact that maintenance has to be
a pain in the rear.
Ah, the lovely Ferrari F40. I think this is the first one I?ve seen in person. Disappointingly, there was no Porsche
959 parked nearby.
Definitely the first Enzo I?ve seen in person.
As a reminder of the company?s roots, a perfectly-restored Lamborghini crawler tractor sits within the display of
Italian machinery. I?m guessing it?s from the late 50s or 60s.
And finally, while we?re on the subject of tractors, note this innovative method for providing some operator
comfort. While the spring-as-spokes concept probably did soften the ride in the field, I imagine it provided for some
interesting wind-up effects.
There was also an extensive collection of American hardware, with this 1956 Chevrolet Corvette one of maybe 30
pieces in this part of the exhibit. There?s something odd about traveling to Germany only to see a ?57 Nomad wagon and
?59 Eldorado.