Metropole Druten - Exquisite under chandeliers

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Created on April 6, 2022

Text:

Wolfram Hamann

Photos:

Wolfram Hamann

107

Wolfram Hamann

107

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A Botticella (1936) - Called "La Bella Rossa" - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia (1960) - Next to three VW vans - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 Targa (1975) - As a highway patrol car for the Belgian gendarmerie with matching call number - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Steyr 55 "Baby" (1939) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A (1941) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans Sport (1929) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A (1939) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Itala Floretta (1908) - - In the museum "Metropole Druten"

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Itala Floretta (1908) - Dangered by Wil de Gose at the French Grand Prix - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1929) - Called "Black Bear" - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz SSK (1929) - Bonnet with tenon cut - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Spider Lungo Le Mans (1932) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GS Zagato Spider (1931) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara Spider (1934) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Invicta 4 1/2 Litre S-Type "Low Chassis" Sports (1931) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A Botticella (1936) - The beautiful red one - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A Botticella (1936) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A Botticella (1936) - Please think away the modern screen - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A Botticella (1936) - With saddlebags instead of a trunk - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Bugatti Type 13 (1920) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Bugatti Type 13 (1920) - Metal valve - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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BMW 328 Cabriolet Autenrieth (1939) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Frazer-Nash BMW 328 (1939) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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BMW 328 Frazer-Nash (1939) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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La Dawri Daytona (1959) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Healey Silverstone Roadster (1949) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Arnolt-Bristol (1954) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Ford Capri Perana V8 (1969) - Winner of the London-Sydney Rally 2000 - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Bandini 750 Sport Saponetta (1957) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Siata-Ford 208 S Cabriolet (1953) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo Spider Corsa 6C 2300 Platé (1949) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo Spider Corsa 6C 2300 Platé - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Pegaso Z-102 Touring Berlinetta (1954) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Ferrari 212 Inter Coupé Vignale (1952) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Ferrari 250 GT (1958) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Ferrari 275 GTB (1965) - With light alloy body - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Ferrari 275 GTB (1965) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (1962) - Ready for vacation - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (1955) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz 600 (1969) - Long on the left, armored on the right - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz AMG GT-R (2019) - The collection also includes newer showpieces - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Ferrari F 12 Tour de France (2016) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Alfa Romeo Guilia Sprint Speciale (1963) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Citroën 2 CV AZL (1957) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Gibbs Aquada (2004) - Amphibious vehicle with six-cylinder engine - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Renault Ondine (1961) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Jaguar XK 150 S 3.4 Litre OTS (1959) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Jaguar XK 150 S 3.8 Litre "Hartin Fastback" (1960) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Fiat Panda 965 4x4 (1984) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Fiat 500 A "Topolino" (1939) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Bianchi Bianchina Cabriolet (1966) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Fiat 1100 TV Padovan (1948) - With impressive rear end - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Fiat 1100 TV Padovan (1948) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Fiat 1900 B Granluce (1956) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Fiat 1100 TV Coupé Fissore (1954) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Maserati 3700 GTI Sebring (1966) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Bean 14 PK 25 CWT Flatbed - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Lancia Esatau 864 (1955) - Next to a Mercedes-Benz racing transporter - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz L 6600 (1953) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz L 6500 K (1936) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Hanomag ST 100 100 PK (1947) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mack RN (1942) - - In the museum "Metropole Druten"

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Mack RN (1942) - Only real with bulldog as radiator mascot - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mack B 61 - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Lincoln Zephyr Sedan (1937) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Gibbs Auquada (2004) - For sale - In the museum "Metropole Druten"

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FMR Tg 500 (1959) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Voisin Biscuter (1955) - - In the museum "Metropole Druten"

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Peel P 50 (2017) - The new electric version of the English scooter - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Crosley CD (1951) - Converted to a fire engine - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Renard Sport D-Crosser (2014) - A mixture of Citroën DS and Toyota Landcruiser - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Lamborghini Centenario tractor (2016) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Osca 1600 GT (1963) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL - Filigree tubular skeleton - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

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Exterior view with small pond - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Entrance to the car exhibition - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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A six-cylinder surrounded by V8 engines - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Overview of the truck hall - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Nice note on the license plate - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Honest statement from the towing service - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Interesting freight on the low-loader - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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View into the sales hall - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Coffee is actually served here - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Is there a better address for a car museum? - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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The museum also exhibits classic two-wheelers - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Some trucks are still waiting to be restored - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Four amphicars are on offer - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Vehicles of the early brass era. In the foreground, a replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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In the background, an impressive Mercedes-Benz collection. In the foreground the star of the exhibition - the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A Botocella - Museum "Metropole Druten"

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Even the (fictitious) address "Via Enzo Ferrari" in Druten (Netherlands) is a good omen for what awaits visitors to the private museum "Metropole". Around 200 cars, 30 two-wheelers and a large hall full of trucks are displayed on 20,000 square meters. Once a week, entrepreneur Frans van Haren opens the museum's doors to visitors, allowing them to take a look at his extensive collection of the highest quality. Vehicles can also be purchased there. Basically, the museum has more the character of a depot. You should not expect a sophisticated museum education concept.

Exterior view with small pond - Museum "Metropole Druten"

However, the rare and astonishing exhibits make up for this. The passenger cars are exhibited under chandeliers on the upper floor of the elongated building. The first floor houses the truck collection and the "Metropole Classic Cars" sales exhibition. The exhibits are provided with QR codes and allow interested visitors to access more detailed information - albeit in Dutch.

To the beginnings of the automobile

So let's start the tour at the top, although not all of the exhibits can be covered due to the number of exhibits. The focus of the collection is clearly on Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz. However, this does not mean that the collection is one-sided, as Volkswagen, Fiat and many other rarities from other brands are also on display. At the beginning, there are some examples of the early brass era to be discovered - a Mercedes Simplex 35 HP from 1908 is one example alongside a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. There is also a section with Porsche and Volkswagen. In addition to various versions of the Golf, there are also buses and vans as well as various Beetles, one of which has been converted into an amphibious vehicle. The Volkswagens are joined by a Steyr "baby".

Vehicles of the early brass era. In the foreground, a replica of the Benz Patent Motor Car - Museum "Metropole Druten"

Hardly anywhere else will you see such a number of Alfa Romeo sports cars from the 1930s - surrounded by contemporary competitors from other brands - as here in Druten. The star of the collection certainly deserves a special mention: an Alfa Romeo 8 C 2900 Botticella ("La bella rossa" - "The beautiful red one") from 1936. Museum director van Haren took part in the Mille Miglia with this eight-cylinder car.

Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 A Botticella (1936) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

Alongside other Alfa Romeos are mighty Bentleys, such as the 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans from 1929, as well as a low-slung Invicta 4 1/2 Litre S-Type from 1931. In its immediate vicinity, two Mercedes-Benz 540 convertibles from 1939 and 1941 and an SSK (called "Black Bear") from 1929 are presented.

Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans Sport (1929) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

From an even earlier era is the Italia "Floretta", a Grand Prix car from 1908; powered by a four-cylinder engine with an impressive 12.8 liters of displacement. This is complemented by a contrasting newcomer: the significantly smaller Bugatti T 13 from 1920.

Racing cars and one-offs

On the opposite side, BMWs are lined up first: at the top is a 328 convertible from Autenrieth (1938), immediately followed by a 327 convertible. Behind it is a rare open-top Frazer-Nash BMW 328 from 1939, a Healey Silverstone from 1949 and an Arnolt-Bristol from 1954. The row continues with a La Dawri Daytona from 1959, an American sports car with an eight-cylinder engine and plastic bodywork. The 1969 Ford Capri Perana, which was built in South Africa and mutated into a muscle car, also has eight cylinders and was used successfully in rallies.

BMW 328 Cabriolet Autenrieth (1939) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

Also on display are a 750 Saponetta from the Italian manufacturer Bandini and a handsome one-off: the 1953 Siata-Ford 208 S convertible with an eight-cylinder engine. The Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Spider Corsa Platé from 1949 has a rather unconventional front design. The front of the Pegaso Z 102 Touring Berlinetta is certainly also striking, with a tastefully two-tone painted Ferrari 212 Inter with Vignale bodywork parked behind it. There are numerous Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz vehicles in this exhibition area, but it would be impossible to list them all here.

Pegaso Z-102 Touring Berlinetta (1954) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

Among the Ferraris, a Ferrari 275 GTB with light-alloy bodywork and a 250 GT Coupé from 1958 stand alongside the modern 512, 599 and F 12 models.

Lots of Fiat and Mercedes-Benz

And as far as Mercedes-Benz is concerned: during his visit, the reporter came across six examples of the 300 SL (W198) alone. Two large 600s (W100) also stood side by side: a short, armored car and a long-wheelbase version. The collection extends into the modern era of the Stuttgart-based company, as evidenced by various AMG models and G-Classes.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (1962) - Ready for vacation - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

Another gem can be discovered in a Jaguar corner: a Jaguar XK 150 S 3.8 Litre "Hartin Fastback from 1960. In addition to numerous internal modifications, this vehicle impresses with a hatchback that, in the author's opinion, fits the character of the car very well.

Jaguar XK 150 S 3.8 Litre "Hartin Fastback" (1960) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

But - neglecting some Citroën 2 CVs - back to Italian cars, especially Fiat. Some models - such as the "Topolino" or the Cinquecento - are available in multiple versions and offshoots. A Panda 4x4 is also on display. Last but not least, the museum presents a stylistically remarkable automobile: the Fiat 1100 Aerodynamica Padovan, a unique, streamlined model from 1948. Perhaps they were only acquired as "by-catch", but they too are remarkable: a beautifully shaped, two-tone Fiat 1900 B Granluce Coupé and a Fiat Coupé by Fissore from 1954.

Fiat 1100 TV Padovan (1948) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

Trucks and small cars

After passing a visually impressive example of the Maserati 3700 GTI Sebring, we head to the truck section of the museum. In a large hall, we find a wide variety of truck models, mostly painted in the "company color" of the owner. For fans of commercial vehicles, there is certainly a lot to discover here too: from the Mercedes-Benz L 6500 K from 1936 to trucks from DAF, Scania, Volvo and Mack, Hanomag and Faun, there are interesting things to see. And somewhat hidden in a back row: there are still vehicles here that are awaiting restoration. But we will not go into this in detail here.

Overview of the truck hall - Museum "Metropole Druten"

As mentioned at the beginning, the building also contains a sales area, although the transition between museum and sales may be fluid. Visitors should not miss out on visiting this section, as there are also rare and curious items here. At the time of the visit for this report, in addition to a Lincoln Zephyr Sedan - a limousine from the Art Deco era with a twelve-cylinder engine - there was also an impressive phalanx of rare small cars on offer. In addition to other cabin scooters, two FMR Tg 500 "Tigers", a Voisin Biscuter, a Goggomobil Dart, a Peel P 50 with electric drive and a Crosley CD as a fire engine were on display.

Lincoln Zephyr Sedan (1937) - - In the "Metropole Druten" museum

A small cabinet of curiosities

The Renard Sport D-Crosser, an off-road construction in which the modified body of a Citroën DS was placed on the chassis of a 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser, was not exactly an everyday sight. The Gibbs Aquada amphibious vehicle is likely to feel at home in a different biotope. But will the Lamborghini Centenario tractor on offer ever plow a field with its twelve-cylinder engine? Probably not. There were also non-roadworthy items on offer: in addition to a tubular frame for a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, there was also a cutaway model of a VW Beetle. Finally, there was an Osca 1600 GT "Double Bubble" with a Zagato body.

View into the sales hall - Museum "Metropole Druten"

A visit to the Metropole Museum is recommended not least for visitor groups, such as automobile clubs. They can also book the originally furnished rooms and catering facilities. Conclusion of the visit to the Museum Metropole: "Heel leuk!" - "Really good!"

Further information about the museum can be found on the website www.metropoledruten.nl