Photo Gallery «A visit to Hilker's halls - A private collection in Lower Saxony with many surprises»

Norbert Hilker's three halls in northern Germany are not a museum in the strictest sense. Rather, it is simply a private collection of cars, accessories, memorabilia and historical curiosities, which interested visitors can browse through at their leisure and listen to the stories of the master of the house. Our "museum correspondent" made the journey to Lohne in Lower Saxony and found an astonishing collection of sometimes long-forgotten items.

This fire engine dates back to 1944 and was buried to prevent the Allies from finding it - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Norbert Hilker in front of his Mercedes-Benz 170 S (1950), with which it all began - A visit to the Hilker Collection

The Westfalia trailer is a perfect match for the Mercedes-Benz 170 S - A visit to the Hilker Collection

The collector in front of his oldest example, the 1926 Buick Six - A visit to the Hilker Collection

A look inside the Buick Six - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Norbert Hilker with his Lloyd LS 400 - A visit to the Hilker Collection

This is how it all began: Taking over a workshop - A visit to the Hilker Collection

This is how it is today: One of the buildings with a large Borgward sign in the roof gable - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Classic plaid: the small Avia filling station - A visit to the Hilker Collection

The signal is already there, the tracks and locomotive are still missing - A visit to the Hilker Collection

This Lloyd was once used for exterior decoration, but has now been passed into good hands - A visit to the Hilker Collection

This Goliath was once registered in the GDR - A visit to the Hilker Collection

A portrait of Carl F. W. Borgward is a must - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Photo of stockpile vehicles after the bankruptcy of Borgward - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Main building of the Hilker Collection - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Modern advertising material for Maybach - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Advertising material for Maybach and model car - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Just like in the old days at the gas station: V-belt and windshield wiper selection on the wall - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Giant Bosch neon sign on the wall - A visit to the Hilker Collection

By contrast, the Kreidler counterpart is comparatively small - a visit to the Hilker Collection

Hood of a Renault 4 CV, which used to be implanted in the tailgate of the Volkswagen - A visit to the Hilker Collection

It's getting tight in the collection - A visit to the Hilker Collection

More than just cars: books, brochures, toys - a visit to the Hilker Collection

The trophy won by the Borgward Hansa 2400 Pullman saloon at the Concours d'Élegance at the Techno Classica 2008 - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Quite a tight fit: In front of the Opel Kapitän is a mint condition NSU bicycle - A visit to the Hilker Collection

A Kettcar from a neighboring school was also saved for the collection - A visit to the Hilker Collection

One of the first child seats for cars, hung on the backrest instead of placed on the seat - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Yes, this is a refrigerator. Ice was poured into the top, which had to be delivered regularly - A visit to the Hilker collection

In which street is the Münstertor pharmacy located? - A visit to the Hilker Collection

An interesting mix: cigars and six-point belts - a visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward literature from the time when operating manuals were still short - A visit to the Hilker Collection

The in-house workshop is also a hive of activity. Some work still awaits - A visit to the Hilker Collection

This remains as it is for demonstration purposes: On the left a Lloyd with a mixed body and on the right with an all-steel body - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Time and again you discover BMWs from the three-series - A visit to the Hilker Collection

A modern Lamborghini has also found its way into the showcases - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Racing oil from the time when people still knew what a compound noun was - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Shell oil cabinets - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Yes, there were once neon signs in Eastern Europe too, as the one for the Dacia proves - A visit to the Hilker Collection

First extinguish, then tow away: Mercedes-Benz fire engine in front of Opel tow truck - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Sample case with Esso products... - A visit to the Hilker Collection

...and the accompanying explanation in the lid - A visit to the Hilker Collection

It's hard to believe, but Esso once also offered pest control products - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Original metal emergency call pillar - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Also an Opel, but a sewing machine - A visit to the Hilker Collection

"Big Ben": the pump column that can be operated from both sides - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Swiss advertising for Borgward on the occasion of the 1950 Geneva Salon - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Under the sign of the rhombus: dealer sign for the Borgward entry-level brands Hansa and Lloyd - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Neon advertising for Blaupunkt - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Workshop sign for almost forgotten car brands - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Giant neon sign for Magirus - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Chic in leather: Possibly the service telephone of C. F. W. Borgward - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Not only oil cans hang from the ceiling,... - A visit to the Hilker Collection

There are also two-wheelers to see - A visit to the Hilker Collection

For the hike with motor assistance - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Almost complete collection of Mercedes typewriters - A visit to the Hilker Collection

General store with original stock - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Pharmacy inventory from the time when there were no package leaflets - A visit to the Hilker Collection

The collector fought long and hard for this advertisement - A visit to the Hilker Collection

At the driving school... - A visit to the Hilker Collection

... and at the hairdresser's - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Perfume and soap were bought from hairdressers back then - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd Alexander TS Frua (1959) - at the Concours d' Élegance at the Schloss Bensberg Classics 2012, then still in different ownership

Lloyd Alexander TS Frua (1959) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd Alexander TS Frua (1959) - playful tail lights with a touch of Supersonic - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd Alexander TS Frua (1959) - Lettering with remarkable similarity to that of the Karmann-Ghia - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd Alexander TS Frua (1959) - horned roof end with chrome fittings above the panoramic windshield - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd Alexander TS Frua (1959) - There would also be room for a larger engine here - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd Alexander TS Frua (1959) - A second example serves as a parts carrier - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd Alexander TS (1959) - for comparison here with standard bodywork - Visiting the Hilker Collection

Lloyd LS 400 (1954) - the station wagon version of the LP 400 - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd LT 600 (1954) - The original minivan - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd LT 600 (1954) - a so-called "large-capacity passenger car" - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Lloyd LT 600 (1954) - bizarre front - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward Isabella Coupé (1958) - Norbert Hilker's first Borgward - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward Hansa 2400 Pullman saloon (1955) - with compartment for the spare wheel behind the bumper - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward Hansa 2400 Pullman limousine (1955) - in the same color scheme as the company boss's car - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward Hansa 2400 Pullman limousine (1955) - enough space for important legs - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward Hansa 2400 Pullman limousine (1955) - View of the chauffeur's seat - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward 2.3 Liter (1961) - not the only type P 100 in the collection - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward 2.3 Liter (1961) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward 2.3 Liter (1961) - Steering wheel and dashboard - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Goliath 1100 Coupé (1957) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Goliath 1100 Coupé (1957) - with two downdraft carburetors - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward Hansa 1500 (1950) - based on a Buick model with side-hinged hood - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Borgward Hansa 1500 (1950) - Four-cylinder with 48 hp - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Goliath 1100 (1958) - Operating instructions within easy reach on the air filter - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Goliath GP 700 Combi (1954) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Opel Rekord 1700 (1962) - as a black four-door car without whitewall tires with a certain cab look - A visit to the Hilker Collection

BMW Isetta (1958) - the second car in the collection - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Simca 1200 S (1969) - came to Hilker with accident damage and dismantled - A visit to the Hilker collection

Mercedes-Benz 170 S (1950) - the first car in the collection - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Porsche Diesel P 133 (1957) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Opel Kapitän (1954) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

VW Golf Cabriolet (1995) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

VW Golf GTI (1984) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

VW Karmann-Ghia () - The chassis is waiting to be married to the body - A visit to the Hilker Collection

VW 1100 Export Sedan (1951) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

VW 1100 Export Sedan (1951) - Dashboard with newer steering wheel - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Mercedes-Benz 190 (1960) - imported from the USA - A visit to the Hilker Collection

BMW 320 (1978) - in the workshop - A visit to the Hilker Collection

BMW 325i Coupé (1995) - with tuning by AC Schnitzer - A visit to the Hilker Collection

NSU Ro 80 (1971) - A visit to the Hilker Collection

Mercedes-Benz 600 (1968) - in an unusual arrangement, probably from a prominent first owner - A visit to the Hilker Collection

VW 1200 Export (1959) - A visit to the Hilker Collection