The past becomes tangible, memories are awakened, emotions are revived – historic automobiles make hearts beat faster. And a brand with history has one thing over its competitors – its credibility, thanks to a long-standing basis of trust. At Volkswagen, this means that it just keeps on running and running and running – the saying from the Beetle era still applies to the modern Golf.

It is only a few hundred metres here from the past to the future. The Volkswagen AutoMuseum is located close to the Volkswagen plant, where the latest Volkswagen models are produced. A total of 130 vehicles on 5,000 square metres of exhibition space give a fascinating impression of Volkswagen’s product history. Among the main protagonists: many rare studies, prototypes and one-offs.

The AutoMuseum was officially founded on 25 April 1985: the Volkswagen Group’s technical and historical collection, housed in a former clothing factory with industrial charm, was opened to the public for the first time. On 1 January 1992, the museum is transformed into a non-profit foundation: the Volkswagen AutoMuseum Foundation. In spring 2001 – parallel to the opening of the Zeithaus in the Autostadt – a conceptual reorganisation takes place. From now on, the museum concentrates solely on the Volkswagen brand, which enhances the attractiveness of the exhibition.

Particularly appealing: rare studies and prototypes stand side by side with the Volkswagen series models and allow direct comparison. Which details went into series production, which were discarded? In addition to production vehicles and prototypes, the exhibits also include curious one-offs, such as film star Herbie, a wooden Beetle or the See-Golf – a floating Golf with hydraulic pontoons.

The story continues: the AutoMuseum Volkswagen collection is constantly being expanded. Regular special exhibitions focus on exciting details of Volkswagen’s product history – and illuminate them from new, unusual angles.