ROAD TRAFFIC

Cars

Entering the exhibition, you will first see Germany's pioneer automobiles including a replica of Carl Benz's legendary tricycle of 1886, the progenitor of modern cars.

Primarily examples of East German and Saxon automobile history are displayed here. Special attention is given to the industrial locations in Zittau, Dresden, Chemnitz, Zwickau, Eisenach and Suhl. Among the exhibits are the Simson Supra SO (1925) built by Simson & Co. from Suhl, Thuringia; the Phänomobil (1924) of the Saxon machine factory Phänomen (later called Robur); and the prototype of the first Wanderer automobile (1904), which never went into production.

In the 1920s, a very small number of the Pilot 6/30 was produced in Bannewitz near Dresden. Its bodywork came from the Dresden company Heinrich Gläser.

Utility Vehicles

The Utility vehicle exhibition illustrates the history of the road transport sector of the last 200 years.This exhibition focuses on East German and East European developments in truck and motor omnibus technology since the late 19th century.
Particularly eye-catching is the Phänomen 4-RL (1927), an original truck of the Phänomen Werke Gustav Hiller AG in Zittau. It was the first German air-cooled truck. Pre- and post-war engines are also exhibited here.

Numerous vehicle models will give you an idea of the large variety of utility vehicle types of the last decades, including older and newer types of motor omnibuses and lorries, such as Büssing or Vomag as well as IFA S 4000, W50, Barkas and a heavy duty transporter based on the Tatra 141.

Motorcycles


The motorcycle exhibition ranges from the first petroleum-powered Reitwagen motorcycle built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1885 to the modern fire brigade utility vehicle on the basis the MZ ETZ 250.

The first part of the exhibition features the following very rare exhibits: the Mars A 20 of 1922, the Böhmerland/Cechie (1927) with three seats, a Phänomen bobsleigh (1939), a ladies light motorcycle of the Phänomen-Werke Gustav Hiller AG corporation in Zittau as well as a motorcycle of Laurin & Klement (today called Skoda) of the year 1899. The Megola, built in 1922, with a radial engine turning within its front wheel is regarded as the progenitor of today's motor scooter. The exhibition, furthermore, encompasses motorcycles of nearly forgotten manufacturers like, for example, Brennabor, Runge, Opel and Wanderer.

The MZ motorcycles produced in Saxony are a focal point here. On a model of a MZ 175-1 partly cut out, you can learn about the construction designs of these motorcycles and how they work.

The motor scooters dating from the 1950s and 1960s, e.g. the Troll of 1964 or a Cezetta of 1962, are further well-known examples.

Visitors can find many small details in the replica of a two wheeler garage in the style of the thirties.

Bicycles


The exhibition about utility and two-wheeled vehicles invites you to take a tour through about 190 years of bicycle history. About 30 bicycles outline the interesting path from the German Laufmaschine, or running machine, to the extravagant carbon mountain bike.

The emergence of the two-wheeler (1817-1895)
This period covers the essential development from the running machine to the early wood, legendary penny-farthing, multitrack and the first low bicycles.
Exhibits: velocipede, penny-farthing, early low-wheel bicycles, and others

Selected bicycles from Germany (1903-1965)
Basic forms of men's, ladies and children's as well as touring and sport bikes are included. Anti-vibration frame, sickle front fork or fully suspended drive are some particularly striking features.
Exhibits: e.g. a men's bicycle, Brennabor type 10; a men's full-suspension bike, a Naumann-Germania, No. K.

Women and bicycles (19th century)
Contemporary photos and several exemplary objects (e.g. the controversial knee-breeches) will give you an insight into the issue discussed so vehemently at that time, namely: "Shall women be allowed to ride bikes?"

Cycling and cycling associations in Dresden (19th century)
Since its beginnings, bicycle history has been strongly affected by cycling. Nowadays, however, only few people still know that Dresden, too, used to be a stronghold of cycling.

Special and rare exhibits (1893-1920)
From the large numbers of designs and constructions in bicycle history, however, many were forgotten later; like for example recumbent bicycles, gearwheel and swivelling lever drives as well as spiral "tyres."ExhibitsMen's bicycle Libelle, Jaray bicycle, spare tyres.

Bicycles nowadays (1995-2006)
Examples from our extensive collection of bicycles are alternately displayed in this exhibition area. So far, displays have included a bicycle with additional activation of an electric motor, a city bike with rain cover, a recumbent and a folding bike. In addition, we plan to exhibit reproductions of classics as well as sports, family, freight and alternative vehicles.

Two wheeler garage
This arrangement shall remind you of the countless garages that were mushrooming at the time of the bicycle boom between 1910 and 1930.
Exhibits: a lathe, drill (with jackshaft and flat belt, fully operable, around 1907)

Attractions for visitors:
– a ride on a penny-farthing
– experiments on a lathe and rotary spoked wheel
in the pirouette machine



The passenger car exhibition is located
in the museum’s atrium.
a radial engine turning within its front wheel

Exhibition Overview