by Gary / 0 comments - Orginally published:14th June 2017
How meeting a couple in a bar…
Led to an afternoon surrounded by automotive splendour.It started innocently enough as we relaxed in Hausbrauerei Altstadthof in Nuremberg after a day exploring the city and its beautiful Christmas markets.
Janis and I pulled up two seats to the bar, ordered our drinks, and settled back to enjoy the evening; reminiscing over what a fine day we'd had, and how shortly we'd be heading to our 4th Christmas destination in Germany, Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Then that thing occurred, that happens to all of us when we travel, we hear a familiar accent. We'd pulled up to another couple of Brit's.
We struck up a conversation, and one of the topics was the shock retirement of Nico Rosberg and the availability of one of the hottest seats in Formula 1.
When the conversation turned to our final destination, Stuttgart, the question arose.
Why not Pin it for later?
"Are you going to the Mercedes Museum then?"
The short answer was no; our Christmas markets had been the focus of the trip.
The second reason; we drive Audis, and we have done for over 15 years. I should be heading to Ingolstadt, home of the four rings, not Stuttgart - home to not only Mercedes but also Porsche.
The Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen
Where is the the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart
How to get to the the Mercedes-Benz Museum
- By Air
The nearest airport is Stuttgart Airport, about 35 minutes (10.5mls/18.5km) from the museum by taxi. Take a browse through ebookers.com for departures from your local airport.
It’s so easy to include on a road trip. Rental Cars searches multiple well-known car hire brands and discovers the best deals that suit you.
- By public transport
The museum is around 4mls/6.4km from the centre of the city and can be reached in around 20-25 minutes by bus.
Planning a visit to the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart
So in a moment, we had a new item on our agendaWe decided the best idea was to head there on the day of our arrival. The run from Rothenburg ob der Tauber was only just over 90 miles/150km, and we were going to be on the autobahn 😉
Markplatz in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Our itinerary now contained something very un-Christmassy
Where is the Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart
Would you believe it?The Mercedes-Benz museum sits on Mercedesstraße or Mercedes Road, opposite a huge Mercedes-Benz site.
You'll also pass Mercedes-Benz Arena & the Porsche Arena on the drive to the museum - You're very much in Germany's 'Motor City'
Once discreetly parked up at the far end of the car park, which, as you've probably guessed, is about 70% Mercedes anyway, we head to buy our tickets.
Our Tip
You can buy your tickets online if it's not a last-minute affair. You just need to visit the Mercedes-Benz Museum site - 2022/23 prices are €12 per person.
The story at the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Start at the beginningAfter purchasing your tickets, you are shepherded towards an elevator, that looks like it's taken straight from Fritz Lang's 1927 film Metropolis. The elevator takes you to the top of the museum, and the start of the story.
The exhibits are priceless and detail how Carl Benz & Gottlieb Daimler independently shaped the future of the motoring world.
Benz Patent Motor Car
As you follow the spiral slope downwards, you step through the timelines of the two corporations of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft & Benz & Cie.
The Grandfather Clock engine
Exhibits detail how Gottlieb Daimler's 'Grandfather clock' engine found applications in more than just motorcars.
Daimler motorboar "Marie"
I love nothing more than planning a trip and so often I use the DK Eyewitness books. I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
We used a previous version of this book to plan our Germany road trips, now you can grab the revised copy.
Discovering the Mercedes-Benz Museum
The journey through timeAs you follow the slope between levels, the global storyline is played out, touching on the impact of the First World War, and the struggles that followed along with the merger of the two corporations in 1926.
Mercedes double phaeton
All the while you get the opportunity to marvel at the wonderfully maintained cars that represent key moments in the timeline.
The dashboard of the Mercedes 500 K special roadster
Along the timeline, the brand comes to a dark shadow in its past. Its collaboration with Germany's National Socialist Party or Nazi's as we know them. There was no avoiding these years in the company's history.
The car of world leaders - 770 Grand Mercedes open tourer
From the darkness comes light, and I am sure you don't have to be a car lover to appreciate the beauty of some of these creations.
The 300 SL coupé and 300 S convertible
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster
The beauty goes deeper than the skin - the interiors of these cars are works of art.
The gull-wing 300 SL coupé
This timeline continues up to the present day. Mercedes-Benz's PR department has been hard at work highlighting the brand's efforts on environmental issues and sustainability.
The many levels of the Mercedes-Benz Museum
The CollectionsOn several floors is a separate area dedicated to a collection of vehicles detailing how Mercedes-Benz has been at the forefront of innovation.
The collection ranges the broad areas of motoring the brand reaches into from the 'Gallery of Voyagers', with its buses, taxis, people carriers and the like.
An Argentine Mercedes-Benz bus
Through the 'Gallery of Carriers' (Trucks & utility vehicles), 'Gallery of Helpers' to the 'Gallery of Celebrities'. Cars of the rich and famous, like Princess Diana's 500SL, Ringo Starr's 190 E 2.3 AMG and even a Popemobile.
Lady Diana's Mercedes and the Popemobile
These collections punctuate the journey through time.
The best of the Mercedes-Benz Museum
Then perhaps my favourite sectionThe section dedicated to motorsport. Here there are true legends, a gallery of some of the most notable racing machines ever built. The list of drivers that have raced for them is equally impressive.
You'll find a selection of interwar racers, the original Silver Arrows. The likes of the W25, W125 & W154
The Mercedes-Benz W 154 3-liter racing car
The glorious 300 SLR '722' of Sir Stirling Moss that triumphed on the 1955 Mille Miglia. The number comes from the car's start time of 7:22 am.
The glorious 300 SLR '722'
This hall of fame takes you through its Le Mans victories with Sauber; it's truck racing exploits, the DTM battles it's waged against the likes of Audi, BMW, Opel, Alfa Romeo - to name but a few.
Before arriving bang up to date with its latest F1 Grand Prix cars
Lewis Hamiltons F1 Grand Prix car
I leave the museum satisfied, a worthwhile diversion from all that gingerbread & gluhwein.
Where to stay in Stuttgart
Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin - This was our choice. A smart, elegant hotel in central Stuttgart that also offers onsite parking.
Have you?
Visited the museum? Or did you go upmarket and visit the Porsche offering, also in Stuttgart?
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