A Tour Through the Greatest Transport Museum in the World

The following seven sections of the Museum taken from the Mercedes Museum 'flyer' with all photographs by the Editor. - Permission was graciously granted by the management. My thanks for this. - We have over a 1000 pics in archive and more coming up soon of the famous Edmonton, Alberta, Canada's Transport & Aviation Museums.....plus short sound & picture clip of a "Flip" in a USA, Ohio built '30's bi-winger called a "WACO". - Posting soon......

Apart from the extraordinary structure of this fine, seven-level Museum is the early Mecedes Top Speed car which did 600klmhr. in 1939. ( See photo below.) - The 'Silver-bullet' Deco-styled elevators each project old archive film footage onto the walls opposite on their upward or downward moves, for the occupants to view, as they whisk you up past suspended aircraft, seemingly 'floating in the air' vehicles, the racing "Silver Arrows" from the begining till now, on up to the upper floor level, from which one then descends, viewing all there is on offer. It took me two full days.....Wonderful. - The first racing Mercedes was painted in normal Mercedes Racing White but on scrutineering found to be 2kilo to heavy. The paint was immediately scrapped off to the alluminium body work beneath to achieve the nessesary weight reduction and the name of "Silver Arrows" stuck from there. True story. - The many applications in which Mecedes/Daimler designs or motors were used astounded me. cars, lorries, fire-engines, train-locos and even aircraft. In fact the Top Speed Car needing in the region of 3000bhp to reach a speed of 600klmhr., utilised one of their many aircraft engines. Of particular interest is the one-off, 300 SLR coupe driven for many years by the M.D. of the company as a road car, every day for goodness sake...the lucky man!.....They built only one. - View it next to the 300SL "Gull Wing' below.

TIME FOR THE HISTORY OF MOBILITY

What is the shape of things to come? What kind of architecture is capable of conveying enthusiasm? What character should a place have to effectively stage-set the inventions which have been changing the world and continue to do so to this very day? How should a museum be designed to embrace the history and the future of the automobile? Its architecture is a double helix, as unique and elememtary as a string of the human-beings genetic makeup.

Welcome to the Mercedes-Benz Museum

TWO INVENTORS,TWO APPROACHES: ONE GOAL

A lift invites visitors to set out on journey through time. Upon their arrival in the year 1886, 130 feet above the ground level, they are captivated by the Legend that surrounds the groundbreaking invention of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz - the automobile. On a tour through seven levels and 120 years of automobile history, Legend upon Legend is lined up in chronological order. Alternatively, visitors can walk through five Collection rooms which present the major themes of Mercedes-Benz across all eras. The two routes lead to one destination: the innovations of the future.

MOTOR OF FREEDOM: MOBILITY

The first automobiles translated the idea of freedom into reality by enabling people to travel where they wanted and when they wanted. By making new means of transport available, giving everyone access to commodities and goods overnight. The Collections in the Gallery of Carriers and the Gallery of Voyagers demonstrate by way of example how a new era began: the age of mobility.

PROPELLANTS OF SUCCESS: INNOVATIVE IDEAS

It takes key moments to usher in the future.

A car - the first Mecedes - stepped into the limelight in the Nice Race Week in 1901. It was followed by the legendary Silver Arrows, the Formula One and DTM cars and the Race-Trucks. Success is one of the forces that drive Mecedes-Benz. The legend room "Races and Records", in which the two tours culminate, gives expresion to the concept of improving on what is good already and embracing people's dreams.

THE CONSEQUENCE OF INVENTIONS: FASCINATION

Where form follows function and where technology is not an end in itself, enthusuasm is created. This claim may be the reason why Merceds-Benz has been capitivating people time and time anew. "The Fascination of Technology" is based on the guiding principal that each innovation must benifit human beings, making their everyday lives easier - and taking them to their destinations ever more safely.

TAKE AWAY LEGENDS: THE SHOPS

The journey through 120 years of automotive history finally takes visitors to the present and the future. At the lowest level the passage shops offer a comprehensive range from all Mercedes-Benz collections. They have items in store for all age groups - mementos for people who do not only wish to take unforgettable impressions home with them. Those who want to have a Mercedes-Benz not just in their garages will find attractive models for their living rooms in the shops.

THE JOURNEY'S DESTINATION: INSPIRATION

Top-quality enjoyment from Mercedes-Benz, not just where motoring is concerned. In the museum, the restaurants in the passage invite visitors to a well-deserved break. This is where they can relax in style and enjoy excellent cuisine to invigorate themselves for their next destinations. Here, at the end of the journey, another source of inspiration is awaiting them: the Mercedes-Benz Center - displaying 130 new cars which are awaiting to be discovered.

Infomation supplied by Mercedes-Benz Museum, Mercedsstrase 100, 70372 Stuttgart.