Have you ever seen a Volkswagen XL1? Right here at the Automobilsammlung Volkswagen Osnabrück you can. This isn’t just any collection of cars. It’s a time capsule. A testament to automotive ingenuity. It’s a journey through the history of Volkswagen in Osnabrück. The Automobilsammlung Volkswagen Osnabrück houses over 73 vehicles. These aren’t just ordinary cars. They’re automotive treasures. Some you’ve heard of. Others might surprise you.
The collection showcases the remarkable history of the site. It tells the story of Wilhelm Karmann GmbH. Think Hanomag and Adler. It highlights early collaborations with Volkswagen. These collaborations produced legendary cars like the Beetle Cabriolet and the Karmann Ghia. Even current models like the T-Roc Cabriolet are displayed. The Automobilsammlung Volkswagen Osnabrück is a powerful story. It’s a narrative woven into the very fabric of Osnabrück itself.
Many of these vehicles slumbered for years in cellars. Now they are finally revealed. The collection spans over 40 years. It features Osnabrück’s successful models. You will see different years and development stages. From early Beetle Cabriolets from 1953. To the Karmann Ghia Type 14 as a coupe and convertible. And finally all versions of the Golf Cabriolet.
But the real stars are the studies and one-offs. An Audi 100 LS Cabriolet. Developed by Karmann. It featured an electro-hydraulic top. This car showcased the brand’s ambition in the luxury car segment as early as 1971. There’s also Italian creativity. Wilhelm Karmann’s friendship with Giorgetto Giugiaro. The legendary designer. Each year he’d create a design study. The result? Cars like the elegant Karmann Ghia Type 1 from 1965. The stylish Cheetah Cabriolet of 1970. The angular Pik-As (1973) and Karo-As (1976) designs. Plus Karmann Cabrio studies like the Idea (1991). The Open View (1997). And the SUC (2005).
The Volkswagen Corrado Roadster is here too. A compelling design. A great addition to the successful Corrado Coupe. The rugged Gipsy. A German response to French and Italian fun cars in 1970. In the 1960s Karmann built a four-seater convertible. Based on the Volkswagen 1500 Type 3 mid-range sedan. Brochures were already printed. Then just before the presentation series production stopped. Even the convertible of the “Big Karmann Ghia” Type 34 was developed for series production. But never actually produced.
Karmann’s success with the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia led to expansion. Brazil and Mexico saw Karmann Ghia models. In Sao Paulo the Karmann Ghia TC 145 was built. A modern hatchback coupe with a large tailgate from 1975. The Volkswagen SP 2 from 1974. It’s still impressive. Its sporty design is a highlight. Built only in Brazil. It never officially came to Europe.
The Automobilsammlung Volkswagen Osnabrück is more than a museum. It’s a living archive. It’s a celebration of automotive history. Don’t miss this remarkable collection.