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Cite de l’Automobile, the French national motor museum in Mullhouse, Alsace



Thanks to a tip from Tanya's aunt, “there is a good motor museum in Mullhouse”, on a wet day we ventured to it. Anticipating a small but interesting collection of vehicles, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that Cite de l’Automobile is the French national motor museum. 
At the entrance are life sized models of 1950's race cars suspended on wires and passing though the glass façade.


The collection consisting of some 600-700 cars from the 1880s on, but largely consisted of the rarer 1880s – 1930s vehicles. 

The collection includes some 100 Bugatti’s. Ettore Bugatti was born in Italy but set up his car manufacturing factory and design house in Mulhouse. Walking through the collection it was easy to see the influence that designers like Bugatti and Porsche have had on the broader car industry. 

Ferdinand Porsche designed the original VW Beetle, he then worked for Mercedes and then went on to establish his own label. Below is his 170H model Mercedes from 1937. It is clear to see the similarities with the Beetle.

Bugatti pioneered the small lightweight racing car with engines of 1500ccs, when others were racing huge Bentley’s and Mercedes with 6.5 litre engines. Once established Bugatti sold his race cars to private race entrants and began producing an astounding array of designs for road use. 


The Gordini grand prix cars from the 1950s were Tanya’s  favourites.

The museum included an impressive collection of Grand Prix cars.

It also has interesting odd-ball cars like the 1937 Tatra Type 87 with its rear mounted air-cooled OHC V8 engine and streamline styling. 

Also the 1948 Panhard-Levassor with its George Jetson styling, 2 cylinder 600cc motor and 130kmph top speed.
  
If you are ever in Mulhouse then we highly recommend at least half a day in the Cite de l'Automobile. We will leave you with a picture with one of Craig's favourite cars, the 1953 Type C52 Alpha Romeo and a few random Ferraris




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