Jonee & Jobjoris's European Adventure: The Incredible Louwman Museum

"Jonee" (Jonee) 09/22/2017 at 12:16 • Filed to: Louwman Museum

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A couple weeks ago I spent an all car 3 day weekend in Breda, The Netherlands with fellow Opponut and Live and Let Diecast mainstay, Jobjoris. He took me on a tour of just about every automobile related attraction in Holland and Belgium and I saw cars I’ve only dreamed about. Our first stop was the Louwman in The Hague, possibly the coolest car museum anywhere. Its collection ranges from the dawn of the automobile to the present day and features some of the most beautiful and important cars ever built. One in particular I was extremely psyched to see although it’s probably not the car most people travel halfway around the world to visit. Here’s a bunch of potato pictures. I skipped photographing most of the prewar stuff because time was tight, but there were some pretty amazing early contraptions there.

1935 Steyr Type 55 “Baby.” A Beetle-esque shape and note the swing axels. Not the only VW ancestor there.

1898 Lacroix & Delaville La Nef Leontine. I can only imagine the turning radius this thing has.

1958 Lloyd LT 600 “Limousine” with an awesome Maico Mobil scooter next to it.

1951 Lloyd LP300. One of the first affordable postwar German cars, it’s body is plywood covered in a vinyl material called “leukoplastbomber.”

Suzuki Fronte 600, a kei car with a bigger motor sold in small numbers in Europe.

Citroën 2CV Safari, the 4WD, double engined wonder.

1949 Austin A40 Atlantic Convertible.

1942 Breguet A2 electric car. Breguet was a French manufacturer of airplanes and luxury cars that built around 200 of these during WW2.

1937 Panhard Dynamic

Suzuki CV-1. These could be had as either battery powered, or with a 50cc scooter engine. They were actually sold in America as the Zoe Zipper.

Zündapp Janus

This is the one that I was excited to see. A 1955 Bambino. It’s a license built copy of the German microcar the Fuldamobil. Just a handful were built in the Netherlands by a transport manufacturer called Alweco. This is probably the only one left in the world. The body is made of heat pressed aluminum, a process that could only be done with round shapes, hence the egg. Fuldamobils were built on license all over the world and this is probably the rarest version.

1953 Kleinschnittger F-125

1955 Inter Cabin Scooter. This was France’s answer to the Messerschmitt microcar.

1941 Peugeot VLV. This was another Second World War era French electric car. Gasoline was unavailable during the war, so electricity was the only option for new cars which were only built in small numbers. Peugeot made less than 400 of these.

Iso Isetta

1946 Rapid Swiss “Volkswagen.” This car was designed by Josef Ganz, a German Jew who began designing and building a people’s car in the 1920's. He built a few prototypes for a rear engined car with a backbone chassis in the 30's and those cars were basically the basis for the Beetle. But, Ganz, being Jewish, was never recognized for his achievements and his name wiped from history. After the war, he went to Switzerland where the Rapid company built 37 of these cars of his design.

1926 Hanomag 2/10 “Kommisbrot.” These were the 20's version of the Beetle built during a time when Germany was going through runaway inflation. It had a 500cc 10hp single cylinder motor and featured one (!) drum brake.

1952 Pegaso Z-102 Cupola. This masterpiece is one of two built and the only survivor. It was once owned by Dominican president Rafael Trujillo.

1960 Pininfarina X. This is a pretty famous concept car that was really cool to see in person. One of Farina’s wackiest designs, the wheels are arranged in a diamond pattern with the single front wheel steering, and the single rear wheel powering the car. The two outside wheels being basically outriggers. It has a drag coefficient of 0.23cd.

1955 Abarth 209A Boano Coupé. This car was designed by Mario Boano, a Ghia employee who wanted to build a sports car for the American market. This car was based on the Fiat 1100 with Abarth parts and a motor Abarth caressed to produce almost 80 horsepower, nearly doubling its output. After 12 cars were ordered by the American Abarth importer, the project fell apart and this was the only one built. It was sold to some lucky bastard in Chicago.

1976 Fiat 850 Shellette Spider. Designed by the great Giovanni Michelotti, this was a beach car based on the Fiat 850. Eighty of these were built and this one was one of two owned by a guy from Santa Barbara, CA, lucky bastard.

1985 Sbarro Challenge I. One of Franco Sbarro’s experiments in aerodynamics and pure 80's-ness, it has a drag coefficient of 0.26. Is that better or worse than the Pininfarina? I can’t remember if you want a lower number, or higher. Anyway, I’m not sure which I’d choose.

A custom built Rolls designed by a madman.

1951 Taruffi Tarf II Double Torpedo. This was a record breaker designed by Italian racing driver Piero Taruffi.

1903 Spyker 4WD Race car. There was a room full of amazing original Spyker cars, but by this time we were getting kicked out, so here’s what might be the most significant one. Built for the Paris to Madrid race, but not finished in time, it was the first all wheel drive car and featured a revolutionary six cylinder engine with separate cylinders.

1910 Brooke Swan Car. Built for a wealthy Scot living in Calcutta. Apparently he wanted to “shock” his fellow mucky mucks living in India which I think is a great idea and a terrible waste of money. It was later sold to a Maharaja whose family used it for 70 years of terror.

Lloyd Alexander, the car so nice, they named it twice.

And a 2CV in the parking lot was a perfect finish.

Flavien Vidal > Jonee 09/22/2017 at 12:20

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LNA! LNA! LNA!

Did you get to watch the DVD btw??

Jonee > Flavien Vidal 09/22/2017 at 13:50

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The LNA is on the way. Somewhere on the Atlantic. I can’t wait.

Thanks for the DVD, Flavian! I fast forwarded through it, but haven’t spotted my old Mazda, yet. I’ll have to watch it on normal speed. There are a lot of old Japanese cars in that movie, so it’s a fun watch it looks like.

Klaus Schmoll > Jonee 09/22/2017 at 14:18

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Jobjoris is a really nice guy. I enjoyed driving behind his 911 around Spa Francochamps, and he wasn’t even weirded out when I complimented him on the SMELL of it.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jonee 09/22/2017 at 14:31

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Looks like you had an awesome trip! The Louwman is a great museum indeed, which other ones did you guys visit?

Also the Alweco Bambino (Some call it a Hostaco, apparently Hostaco owned the license, and Alweco built them for them, as far as I understand) was built in the town I was born in, Veghel. Some 40 years before I was born, though.

Also, there should at least be another Bambino left, as I found pictures of a red one, the license plate of which is also still active. And I know of a 4 wheeled Alweco Bambino Sport (a roadster version, which was built with 3 or 4 wheels), which was temporarily on display at the former factory which was built on the location of the Alweco factory.

Apparently the owner of this car lives in the town next to where I live, so I might see if I can get in touch with him when I’m back in the Netherlands (I’m living in Toronto until the end of the year).

Jonee > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 09/22/2017 at 14:56

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It was a great 3 days. Jobjoris packed our schedule. We also went to Auto World in Brussels, the DAF Museum, the ER Classics showroom, and a show at Classic Park which was awesome.

You know, I have seen pictures of the red Bambino 200. I forgot about that car. It looks like it makes appearances now and again which is great. You’re right, it was Hostaco that had the license. Their name appears on all the advertisement material I’ve seen for them. Is that the red Bambino Sport that lives near you? That’s the only one I’ve seen contemporary pictures of. I would love to see that car in person. The old auto show photo of the Sport 3 wheeler is amazing.

I don’t know why they decided a cross-eyed baby was a good mascot, but it’s hilarious.

How’s Canada treating you?

Jonee > Klaus Schmoll 09/22/2017 at 14:57

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That sounds like fun. It’s a great, and great smelling car. I even got a turn behind the wheel which was awesome.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jonee 09/22/2017 at 15:08

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Awesome, sounds like you did most of the Dutch/Belgian essentials. (I absolutely love the DAF museum, and try to go there each other year)

Yeah, the red Bambino 200 isn’t as well known as the beige one, but it is insured and road legal, so I’m assuming it is being used, which is nice.

The Babino Sport near me is indeed the red one, I meant to include a picture I found online of it when it was on display, but it was Kinja’d:

I’ll see if I can reach the guy. From what I’ve heard he is quite the microcar guy (I think I once heard he has some other microcars, looks like he’s a Dutch version of you, haha)

The cross-eyed baby is hilarious, no clue how they thought that would get them sales.

Canada is been treating me great. Love the city, and it’s mixture of cultures. The people are nice, as is the weather. And my work/research is interesting, which is quite important too.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jonee 09/22/2017 at 17:28

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So, I just did some googling on the name of the Bambino Sport owner. Apparently he has quite a big microcar collection (the red Bambino is also his). Also he is one of the board members of the dutch dwarf car club DWAC. Looks like I really need to get to know this guy, haha.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Jonee 09/22/2017 at 19:10

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The Louwman is awesome! I was there about two weeks ago and have been meaning to upload pictures. I think its a must see of the Netherlands.

Jonee > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 09/23/2017 at 02:58

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The DAF museum was amazing. Jobjoris had never been there, either and we were both really impressed. I was really excited to see the Daf Kini in person.

It definitely gets used.

I can’t wait to have my Fulda packed like that.

I think I know who you’re talking about now. I don’t know him personally, but, yeah, he has a great collection. The Dutch microcar club has been around a long time with some terrific cars.

That display in the old factory is hilarious. How long was that up? That car is great. I’m really not sure how much Fuldamobil is left under that body.

That’s great. I’ve always really liked Toronto. It is a nice city. And, Canadians are always the best. Most of them, anyway.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Jonee 09/23/2017 at 06:43

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Yeah, it’s great to see al the DAF concepts there.

I think the display of the Bambino sport was up for a couple of months. Though I can’t find any clear dates, so maybe it is still there. I’m curious about how much Fuldamobil is left in it too, though it is probably quite a bit.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Jonee 09/23/2017 at 08:14

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Toyota AA?

Jobjoris > Jonee 09/23/2017 at 10:58

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Haha, we really did see a lot, didn’t we? And I thought we did see the Amphicar a lot but what about those Panhards Dynamic????

That Spyker certainly had a revolutionary six cylinder: It was the first inline 6 ever. BMW eat your heart out.

Glad to be part of this adventure! AND GREAT SHOTS!!!!

Jonee > pip bip - choose Corrour 09/24/2017 at 14:30

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They do have an AA, but I don’t think we saw it, actually.

Jonee > Jobjoris 09/24/2017 at 15:09

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I know. We saw multiples of cars I never thought I’d see one of. So many Panhards, and Abarths, and Matras. I’m still processing.

The Dutch took the clutch and gave us the straight six. God bless you guys.

I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else. THANKS! You’re my inspiration.

Jobjoris > Jonee 09/24/2017 at 17:28

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Same here. I’ve seen both that Spyker and the Pegaso like what now: 10 times or so? Still amaze me!

And the Variomatic. Or did we?

Haha, you’re welcome, anytime!!

Jonee > Jobjoris 09/25/2017 at 21:39

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That is really a collection I could visit over and over again. I could probably spend a day with the Pegaso and then another with the microcars.

As far as I’m concerned you get the blame for cvt’s to even things out.

All right. I’m already planning the next visit in my mind.

Jonee > Jobjoris 09/25/2017 at 22:11

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Oh, and you might need to check this out for my father ;-):

http://retrolegends.nl/stock/panhard-dynamic-140-limousine-x81-1939/

What’s that place, by the way? How come we didn’t go there? We needed another Dynamic for our quest to have seen more of them than anyone this century.

Jobjoris > Jonee 09/26/2017 at 03:45

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Next visit? We can go to retrolegends. It actually is near the DAF Museum. But it’s only “by appointment”. Henny (the owner actually is the son of the guy I got the Dino from 15 years ago. I’m getting old.  

KnowsAboutCars > Jonee 09/26/2017 at 13:12

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This is awesome! Can you name a car with two or more hood ornaments other than the A40 Atlantic Convertible? I can’t.

Also, pardon my possible ignorance but wouldn’t Lohner-Porsche be the first 4wd car?

Jonee > Jobjoris 09/26/2017 at 13:27

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I would think someone of your stature just showing up is appointment enough.

Jonee > KnowsAboutCars 09/26/2017 at 15:29

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In the Austin’s case, those might be fender ornaments, which is something that should have caught on. Or, be brought back or something.

True, the Lohner-Porsche was 4wd. But, that was such a unique set up that I guess this car is the first all wheel drive as we know it with one engine sending power to all four wheels.

Jobjoris > Jonee 09/26/2017 at 18:12

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Of course it is. I just don’t want to bother people. That’s the christian part of me.