World Changers: Inside The Mercedes-Benz Museum

I love the Porsche Museum.

Okay, that might be a strange way to start a story about visiting the Mercedes-Benz Museum, but bear with me a moment.

do love the Porsche Museum, which probably explains why I’ve gone out of my way on three separate occasions to visit Porscheplatz in Stuttgart, Germany. In fact, less than an hour before I arrived at Mercedesstraße, I was still at the Porsche Museum, emptying my pockets in an attempt to add more 1/43 scale Porsche Le Mans winners to my humble desk collection.

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The reason I love the Porsche Museum so much is that it brilliantly – and concisely – represents Porsche’s motorsport history and their contributions to creating the best driver’s cars they can. From 917s to an upside-down 956, and from the 959 Paris-Dakar to the 919 Tribute, there’s a lot of speed within their walls.

According to Google Maps, the Mercedes-Benz Museum is just under 11-kilometres from Porsche (that’s about 7-miles, America), which equates to around a 35-minute drive in afternoon traffic. Where the Porsche Museum is a celebration of all things Porsche, the Mercedes-Benz Museum is different in that it’s something much bigger.

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Pre-occupied with following the signs for the museum’s car park, I didn’t get a huge sense of occasion on arrival. Yes, the car park features several DTM machines encased in glass occupying multiple parking spaces, but inside, the lobby feels old and spartan when compared to Porsche’s much more modern offering.

It’s only when you head towards the ticket desk and look up, that you get your first real appreciation of the place. It’s huge.

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A strange pseudo-futuristic elevator brings you to the top floor, where you’re greeted by a white horse as you get out. It now feels like some strange science-fiction movie set, but slowly it starts to make sense.

This isn’t a museum dedicated only to vehicular history, it’s about 130-plus years’ worth of humanity and how Mercedes-Benz fits into it.

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As you wind your way down through the museum, the walls feature historical moments which help you to better understand the timeframe which you are about to study firsthand. Just off each main hall on each floor are special exhibit areas which feature commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles and celebrity-owned Mercedes-Benz models, amongst others.

There’s no shying away from the company’s role during the Second World War, and its use of ‘forced labourers’ which it documents alongside the relevant exhibits, including aircraft engines used in the Luftwaffe’s Messerschmitts. I found this part of the museum particularly poignant as it was neither a celebration nor condemnation, just a representation of the time.

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Towards the end is a comprehensive motorsport section, but the cars are strangely grouped away and just out of touch. You cannot examine them in any meaningful detail or even walk between them, which I found disappointing.

It makes for a good Instagram opportunity, but little else, as they might as well be behind a glass wall. Stunning vehicles, mind.

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If I’m being truthful, I don’t think I left enough time in my schedule to properly appreciate this stunning building and its exhibits. The scope of the contribution which the company has made to the world is nothing short of huge, and makes Mercedes-Benz arguably the most important car manufacturer on the planet. As such, there is so much detail to take in with regards the company’s past, present and future.

The next time I’m in Stuttgart, I might just forego a fourth visit to Porsche and make my way to Mercedes-Benz instead. There’s still a lot that I need to learn.

Paddy McGrath
Instagram: pmcgphotos
Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com

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1

No trip to the ring/worthersee is complete without the obligatory porsche and mercedes museum stop. I'm lucky enough to have visited a couple of times but the best trip was in 2015 when Gunther Holtorf's G-wagen was on display. For anyone not familiar with the name Gunther travelled the world over a 26 year period covering over 500,00 miles and visiting 215 countries in his G-wagen. I'm man enough to admit i had a lump in my throat reading the stories in the exhibit. Excellent write-up as always Paddy :)

Author2

For people who don't know of "Otto's" journey - http://www.ottosreise.de/en/start.html

I know what I'm reading this weekend!

3
Mikko Kukkonen

Nice timing, I just visited both museums for the first time the other weekend. First up was Porsche, and I was blown away by the presentation and the amount of legendary cars there. The lighting was perfect and it's a big plus that you can walk around the cars freely. It was a huge thing for me to see all the 917s up close. Really a museum I could visit again many times more! The next day would have been the kickoff for the 914s 50th anniversary year, but we made a conscious decision to go before that. I bet the place would have been packed during the celebrations.

As for the Mercedes-Benz museum.. Let's just say it kicked the historical aspect of things up a few notches. I have to admit I've never really been into Mercs and the museum didn't change that, but you just can't deny their huge heritage to the mobilized world we live in today. The museum is really well thought out and moody. It really feels like a trip through time as you start at the very beginning and make your way down the floors, towards future. I too, would have liked to take a closer look at the race cars though.

Even if you're not that interested in the cars themselves, I urge you to visit these two museums just for the historical aspect and the architecture. Even my girlfriend found things to look at and enjoy!

Author4

I was lucky that I got to see the 917s run at Goodwood earlier this year, but they're still special cars to look at up close. I'll definitely go back to the Mercedes Museum someday, although I need to get to BMW, Audi & VW first!

5

I'm not very enthusiastic towards tourism, and the first tour I made in Europe is going to Stuttgart solely for Porsche and Mercedes museum. Totally worth it, 10/10 would do again.

Author6

Germany is an awesome country to visit, even outside of car culture related activities.

7

Just curious, what is the significance of that 350 SL behind the ropes?

8

My favorite part about Mercedes-Benz Museum?
That ML320 from Jurassic Park like that thing is so cool!

9

I need to make a trip to Porsche and Mercedes-Benz Museum!

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