Step into the history of Blauw Bloed
Within the collection of the Louwman Museum are remarkable automobiles that once belonged to kings, emperors and other members of the nobility. These vehicles are more than just means of transport. They reflect a life of influence, prestige and personal taste. From stately limousines to exclusive bespoke cars, built to the wishes of their owners. These automobiles show how the car was not only a technical object, but also an extension of power, identity and the spirit of the age. A world of blue blood, captured in steel, leather and detail.
Never, never, never give up
Sir Winston Churchill is best known for his role as the British prime minister during the Second World War. As a member of the Big Three together with Roosevelt and Stalin, he played the most important part in shaping the future of Europe. His fiery speeches will never be forgotten, nor will his love of cigars and cars. His Humber Pullman therefore had an extra large ashtray. This underrated limousine is certainly luxurious, but not as showy as a Rolls-Royce.
View Sir Winston Churchills Humber
Love for Ferrari
Prince Bernhard was born in Germany, but as the consort of Juliana he obtained Dutch citizenship in 1936. Besides his recognizable white carnation, Bernhard was the very first president of the World Wildlife Fund. And as an avid enthusiast of special Ferraris, he was a personal friend of Enzo Ferrari. Enzo praised Bernhard as a pleasant customer and an excellent driver. Perhaps the most beautiful Ferrari owned by Bernhard is in the Louwman Museum: the 500 Superfast Speziale. For that time it was a unique creation, because the engine, the colors of the interior and the paintwork, the taillights and the trim were all made especially for Bernhard!
View Prince Bernhards Ferrari
Blue racing blood
Jonkheer Carel Godin de Beaufort, lord of Maarn and Maarsbergen, was the first Dutchman to score a point in the Formula 1 World Championship. And he did so at the 1962 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. He finished ahead of, among others, Jim Clark, Dan Gurney and Jack Brabham, an exceptional achievement. Especially because he was almost 2 meters tall and weighed 118 kilos. And also because he was one of the last gentleman racers without factory support. Carel took part in a total of 31 Grands Prix. He was killed during practice for the 1964 German Grand Prix. His favorite Porsche 718 can be admired alongside the other Formula 1 cars in the Louwman Museum.
View Carels Porsche
The Silver Phantom of Hyderabad
Wali-ud-Dowla, the Nawab (prime minister) of Hyderabad, commissioned Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd. in Bombay at the end of 1925 to deliver an example of the then new Phantom I, the successor to the Silver Ghost. The car had to be fitted with coachwork by Barker, Rolls-Royce's regular coachbuilder. Because the Phantom was finished in polished aluminum, it soon became known as 'The Silver Phantom of Hyderabad'. The door panels are made of polished teak wood. In the rear, two fold-out wooden tables are mounted, and there is also a small teak cabinet containing a camera, binoculars, and water bottles.
View the Rolls-Royce of Wali-ud-Dowla
The emperors Mercedes-Benz
The very last emperor of Germany was Wilhelm II. Grandson of the British Queen Victoria and related to many monarchs and princes. During the November Revolution, Wilhelm fled to neutral the Netherlands. He spent his days in exile, first in Amerongen Castle and later on the estate Huis Doorn in Doorn. He died there in 1941. During his stay in the Netherlands, the Mercedes-Benz Type Nurburg 500 was an important companion. The navy grey paintwork reveals the emperor's fondness for the navy. For security reasons, the chassis and undercarriage had been reinforced. The car is also equipped with underfloor heating.
View the Mercedes-Benz of Wilhelm II
Airships
Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Count von Zeppelin was a German inventor and aviation pioneer. He built a cigar shaped airship filled with hydrogen. Because the ship was lighter than air, it could be used for mass transport. During the First World War, however, the ships turned out to be too easy a target for lighter aircraft. Disasters and accidents eventually caused the Zeppelin to disappear from the stage. From Museumplein you can see the cockpit of the British variant of the Zeppelin, the R34. And from the first floor you can take an unforgettable look into the cockpit.