The third special exhibition "Grand Prix - Icons of the premier class" at the National Motor Museum The Loh Collection opens on April 12, 2025. It is unique in this form worldwide and brings automotive history to life and makes the technical development of the past 120 years comprehensible. The exhibition spans from the pioneering days of motorsport to the recent Formula 1 past.
The impressive exhibits show the GP racing cars of world stars such as Louis Chiron, Rudolf Caracciola, Tazio Nuvolari, Juan Manuel Fangio, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton. The spectrum of icons ranges from pre-war racing cars, technology innovators of the early Grand Prix years and monoposti of the Silver Arrow era to a unique cross-section of Formula 1 history that now spans 75 years.
Grand Prix cars from the beginning of the 20th century to modern times
The unrestored winning car of the first Monaco GP (Bugatti Type35 B) is one of the exhibits, as is the most successful Formula 1 Ferrari of all time, which Michael Schumacher drove to victory eight times in 2004. The Alfa Romeo P3, with which Tazio Nuvolari outdid the Silver Arrows at their home race at the Nürburgring in 1935, can also be seen, as can the only surviving Alfa Romeo 16C Bimotore and two pre-war Silver Arrows (Auto Union Type D and Mercedes-Benz W154). The public has never been able to see them in this form before, a world premiere. The Formula 1 exhibits include the Maserati 250F, in which Juan Manuel Fangio secured his fifth world championship title at the Nürburgring in 1957, along with the world champion cars of James Hunt, Mika Häkkinen, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Räikkönen and Lewis Hamilton. The technical spectrum ranges from the Gordon Bennett racing car from the early 20th century to the Formula 1 world champion of modern times - with a highly efficient hybrid drivetrain.
Visitors to the National Motor Museum are treated to a captivating exhibition that is unique in the world. "Every single racing car has made history; and still tells numerous stories today. Even races long gone are still present today - that is also part of the magic of Grand Prix racing," explains Friedhelm Loh. The National Motor Museum is very keen to bring the stories of people and technology closer to visitors. The exhibition has been put together accordingly - and is unique. Because it is only through the exciting combination of people and technology that the achievements of this outstanding chapter in automotive history can be understood.
From the 16.3-liter engine to the modern hybrid drive
In terms of technology, the special exhibition, which is rich in highlights, shows large-volume four-cylinder engines (with a displacement of 16.3 liters) as well as early twelve-cylinder and supercharged cars from the pre-war period, some of which even had two engines. The range extends from delicate V12s with a displacement of just 1.5 liters and the three-liter V8s that were used in Formula 1 for decades to the modern 1.6-liter turbo six-cylinder with energy recovery systems and electric assistance.
In addition to the victorious cars adorned with world championship titles, vehicles such as the Tyrrell 012 from 1984 or Niki Lauda's "company car" round off the exhibition. With the lightweight Tyrrell, the young German talent Stefan Bellof once left a lasting impression in the premier class. Two vehicles from three-time F1 champion Niki Lauda are part of the special exhibition at the National Motor Museum. The Austrian laid the foundations for his world championship titles with the Ferrari 312 B3-74. And his BMW M1 Procar draws attention to an interesting sideline in F1 history: at the end of the 1970s, numerous Formula 1 drivers competed with other well-known racing drivers in European Grand Prix events, each at the wheel of an M1 Procar. Lauda not only wins his first title in the Marlboro-themed racing car, the vehicle also becomes a decisive step in the career of future McLaren team boss Ron Dennis.
Richly illustrated, exciting and informative: the book accompanying the exhibition
These and many other interesting stories from Grand Prix sport are also told in the book "Grand Prix - Icons of the premier class", which was published alongside the exhibition. It was written by renowned author and motorsport expert Jörg Walz. The book shows the exhibition vehicles in detail and provides readers with comprehensive information on numerous aspects of motorsport's premier class. The richly illustrated book is published by Motorbuch Verlag. In addition, the store of the National Motor Museum offers model vehicles and automobilia specially produced for the Grand Prix exhibition.
