The museum workshop of the Erwin Hymer Museum has moved into the museum building! Located in the middle of the museum's foyer and visible from the outside and inside through large glass windows and doors, it invites visitors to experience live how the museum's workshop team restores, maintains and looks after the numerous and well-traveled vehicles from all over the world. An exciting insight into the many facets of museum work, because the challenges faced by the workshop team are as varied as the museum vehicles themselves. In addition to knowledge of vehicle construction, vehicle and electrical engineering and materials science, a great deal of skill and enjoyment in researching and tinkering are required.
The history of the museum workshop at the Erwin Hymer Museum: The museum's own workshop was set up at its old location in Bad Waldsee in the house where Erwin Hymer was born soon after the museum's founder and benefactor Erwin Hymer began collecting historic vehicles. There, the employees, all former factory employees and companions of his, looked after the collection with knowledge, skill and great attention to detail. Who could have looked after the classic cars better than those who built them over years and decades and knew every screw, at least on their own models. Then as now, there were hardly any workshops or specialists for historic camping vehicles. So a virtue was made of necessity. Today's workshop team preserves and develops this knowledge. Max Ludy, who worked in production for more than 40 years, is still active in the museum and is always ready to answer tricky questions. The workshop team, led by collection manager and deputy museum director Markus Böhm, includes Andreas Krattenmacher, a carpenter who specializes in woodwork and interior fittings, and Marco Ruf, a trained master mechanic. All three are passionate classic car fans and owners. So the collection vehicles are in the best of hands.
The museum collection currently comprises around 265 vehicles, including 182 caravans, 38 motorhomes, 35 cars, 5 two-wheelers and numerous model vehicles and accessories. The tasks and challenges are as varied as the vehicles and exhibits. Anyone who owns a classic car or has already restored one knows how much work and time a vehicle can entail. The museum workshop takes care of minor damage and defects on the exhibition vehicles and maintains and repairs the vehicles that the museum uses on the road, such as the Hymermobil 520 D from 1976 or the Ford-Eriba combination from the early 1960s. She also restores vehicles from the collection so that they can move into the exhibition and inspire museum visitors.
Visitors are invited to drop by and take a look at the new museum workshop, ask questions or share their knowledge. The workshop staff will show their work, present it and also organize their own events, such as workshop talks on current repair and restoration topics as well as workshops with self-help instructions and tips and tricks from experts. The new museum workshop in the Erwin Hymer Museum will thus become a place of exchange and knowledge - a place of longing for all mechanics and technology fans.
Events in the museum workshop:
The workshop talks take place on the third Thursday of every month at 7 pm in the workshop. Afterwards, participants and visitors can chat with museum staff over a drink at the "Weltenbummler-Bar". For groups and clubs, the museum team is happy to organize a visit to the museum with suitable themes from the museum workshop. All information is available at www.erwin-hymer-museum.de/besucher.
The following workshop discussions are planned for February and March:
Cavity sealing and underbody protection for cars, motorhomes and caravans
Shiny paintwork and, if available, sparkling chrome are the first things that catch the eye on vehicles. But what about the hidden areas such as the underbody protection and the body cavities? These are often not given too much attention, which can take its toll over the years. Costly repairs can be the result. Proper preservation is therefore a must for the long-term preservation of any vehicle. This includes regular checks and, if necessary, refreshing. Marco Ruf, master mechanic at the museum workshop, will show which means and methods are suitable for which vehicle and how the respective measures are carried out.
Thursday, February 23, 7 p.m. in the museum workshop
Fit for spring: the spring inspection
Vehicle enthusiasts and campers are eagerly awaiting spring, when classic cars, motorhomes and caravans can be taken out of the garages and halls again and the first trips, meetings and vacation trips can be undertaken. However, simply driving off is not a good idea, at least if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises. For a carefree start to the new season, it is therefore advisable to carry out an early season inspection. The effort involved is usually manageable and the inspection can be completed quickly with a little routine. The museum workshop presents which measures and work make sense for which type of vehicle and reveals tips and tricks for carrying them out.
Thursday, March 23, 7 p.m. in the museum workshop
Admission to the museum workshop (in the presence of the workshop staff) and participation in the workshop talks is free of charge and is independent of a visit to the exhibition.
The Erwin Hymer Museum is open daily all year round from 10 am to 6 pm, on Thursdays until 9 pm. Children and young people up to the age of 18 have free admission! Parking at the museum is free of charge, even for buses, large motorhomes and caravans.
All events at the Erwin Hymer Museum and information on visiting the museum can be found at www.erwin-hymer-museum.de
