The Franschhoek Motor Museum offers visitors a special opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring History with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia in the magnificent setting of Franschhoek.
The birth of the Museum's Collection took place in 1974, with the establishment of a Transport Museum at the Heidelberg Railway Station, in Gauteng. This was done through the initiative of one of South Africa leading entrepreneurs and businessmen: Dr Anton Rupert. In the Year 1999, the Museum had been placed in the hands of: 'British American Tobacco'. By 2003, since the Museum doesn’t form the part of the company’s core business, it was decided to close its doors.
In 2004 however, upon hearing of the planned closure. Mr Johann Rupert then decides to buy this collection, (that his father started!) He then proceeds to relocate the Collection to: 'L’Ormarins Estate', in Franschhoek.
Dr Rupert passed away in 2006, but his equally automobile enthusiast son; Johann, has continued to develop the Museum's inspiration; to vintage motoring and its History.
The new Franschhoek Motor Museum was opened to the general public on 7 May 2007. This new location now includes; a 2 kilometre road circuit between the 4 different exhibition areas. These are also used as a walkway, ("SO STAY LEFT!"). The Heidelberg Car Museum, doesn’t exist anymore, but Dr Rupert’s legacy lives on at Franschhoek Motor Museum. This Museum gives visitors from around the World a chance to look back on more than 100 Years of motoring History.
The Museum's Cape Dutch Architecture reflects the History and origins of the Western Cape. Each Exhibition Halls covers 2 700 square meters, of space. Each of these Exhibition Halls, is air-conditioned and dehumidified, to preserve the ageing machinery. Every Hall has about 20 vehicles, separated with divisions that allow for clear viewing. Through out the exhibition various motorcycles, bicycles and motoring memorabilia are displayed. There is a very informative pedestal with information about the relevant car. (These are full of interesting facts!)
From the rare to the exotic, from the innovative to the commercial, this superb collection of vehicles has been brought together not only from within South Africa, but from around the World. The displays are changed regularly, so this is a brilliant representation of the last 120 Years of Automotive History.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MUSEUM CAN ONLY BE VIEWED BY APPOINTMENT.
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