Louwman Museum

The Museum Book

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The world’s oldest private car collection

It began in 1934 with the purchase of a twenty-year-old Dodge, which is still in the museum today. Since then, a collection has been created that now comprises more than 260 historic and classic automobiles. Thanks to the Louwman family’s passion for collecting, the museum of the same name now houses one of the most beautiful vehicle collections in the world.
The authors Wim Oude Weernink and Phil Seed skilfully stage this special museum into two dozen book chapters. From the beginnings of automotive history with its horseless carriages and the inventor Carl Benz at the end of the 19th century, through the opulent cars of the 1930s to family cars produced for millions. The book, as well as the museum, make automotive history and technology tangible up to the 1970s.
Hybrid and electric cars from the early 20th century, such as the “Baker Electric Roadster”, are just as surprising as the vehicles of famous personalities such as Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen or Sir Winston Churchill. Legendary racing cars such as the winning cars of the 24 Hours race of Le Mans in 1935 and 1957 can also be admired.
The book about the Louwman Museum presents a collection – rich in images and imbedded in an  innovative layout that reflects the enormous range of technologies, bodies and styles from the automotive history.
Last but not least, the Louwman Museum building in The Hague is also a chapter in itself: designed by the famous American architect Michael Graves, the museum with its typical Dutch steep pointed roofs is also a visual highlight. The entrance is reminiscent of an old coach house and the 90 meter long “Great Hall” with its 15 meter high and vaulted wooden ceiling impresses visitors time and again. Right next door is Huis ten Bosch Palace, the official residence of the Dutch royal family.

• 186 photos, accompanied by exciting and informative texts, bring the treasures of the Louwman Museum to life.• With a foreword by the owner Evert Louwman, founder of the Louwman Museum• Numerous international and world-famous car brands and their special models• Examples of automotive technology from the dawn of motoring to the present day• The book is published in English