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Museums #6 in Wolfsburg

Foundation Auto Museum Volkswagen

4.6 · 2,411 reviews
A quiet, industrial space for technical reflection.
Foundation Auto Museum Volkswagen, Dieselstraße 35, 38446 Wolfsburg
Interesting facts
1

The museum building is a converted industrial factory that originally produced textiles before being repurposed for the brand's heritage collection.

2

The collection includes the 'EA 266' mid-engine project, a prototype developed in the late 1960s that was ultimately canceled before production.

3

Visitors can view the very first Golf produced, representing the shift from rear-mounted air-cooled engines to the modern water-cooled front-wheel-drive platform.

4

The museum maintains an archive of original documents, drawings, and photographs documenting the company's internal development cycles.

5

Some vehicles on display are fully functional, while others are static design mock-ups that were never intended for road use.

6

The Herbie display features specific vehicles used during the production of the classic 1960s Disney film series.

Overview

The Foundation Auto Museum Volkswagen houses a permanent collection of approximately 140 historical vehicles, focusing on the evolutionary history of the Volkswagen brand. Located in a former textile factory in Wolfsburg, the museum showcases rare prototypes, experimental designs, and significant production models. Notable exhibits include the famous 'Herbie' film car and various iterations of the iconic Beetle. The facility highlights the technical advancement of the brand, featuring everything from early air-cooled engines to limited-run design studies. The collection emphasizes the company's industrial heritage through a rotating display of vehicles that shaped automotive history. Unlike the larger Autostadt visitor center, this museum is dedicated specifically to the private history and archives of the company.

Photo spot

The wide-angle vantage point near the iconic Beetle display, which allows you to capture multiple generations of the car in one frame.

Insider tips

Combine your visit with the nearby Autostadt if you are interested in a full-day Volkswagen brand experience.

Check the official website for rotating special exhibitions, as parts of the collection are frequently swapped for restoration or external events.

Use the provided information placards, which are often available in both German and English, to understand the technical context of the prototypes.

What to avoid

Do not assume this is part of the main Autostadt ticket package, as it is a separate entity with its own entry requirements.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid the crowds that typically frequent the larger nearby automotive attractions.
Address
Foundation Auto Museum Volkswagen, Dieselstraße 35, 38446 Wolfsburg
52.428, 10.809
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsHerbie, original Beetle prototypes, and the EA 266 mid-engine experimental models.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid the crowds that typically frequent the larger nearby automotive attractions..

The wide-angle vantage point near the iconic Beetle display, which allows you to capture multiple generations of the car in one frame.

Close by you'll find Autostadt, Volkswagen Arena, Phaeno Science Center.