“Autobau” in Romanshorn is the idea and the creation of Swiss ex- race driver and businessman Fredy Lienhard.To say that “Autobau” is a car
museum would be an understatement. Located in an industrial estate close to Lake Constance in the eastern part of Switzerland, the buildings serve
as a first class museum, an event-location and it`s outdoor facilities are even used as a racetrack, where demo runs and passenger-rides in sports- or
racecars are possible for the public.
All exhibition halls of the extraordinary automobile museum are
behind thick historical walls made of sand-colored and red bricks.
Some served as petrol tanks in their former lives, like the so called
“steel-tank”, a three story high building with walls made of
sandblasted steel, which creates a unique “retro science-fiction” like
ambience inside. Additionally there is “Autobau-Factory”, a center of
competence where different companies are based. These are specialists in
vehicle restoration, bodywork and car paint shops as well as smart repairs for leather and
textile covers. The team of highly qualified specialists look professionally after vintage cars
and the increasingly popular young-timers as well as cars for racing purposes. In about 80 car lounges, customers have their precious treasures
housed safely in alarm-secured parking spaces with optimal conditions.
But let`s turn our attention to the most exciting part of “Autobau”, the cars. Five different halls divide the collection into five different themes:
Classic saloon - takes you back into a time, in which the shape of a car not only followed its efficient function, but also the effective aesthetics of current
ideals of beauty. Chrome and tail fins, large-volume V8 engines, coupés and convertibles from Chevrolet and Cadillac, from Ford and Jaguar determine
the flair in the classic saloon
Lista Racing-Box – Lista is the name of the company, founded in 1945, which employs about 500 people nowadays. Lista is the market leader in Europe
when it comes to factory and storage facilities. Here you find all of Lienhards race cars, right from the beginnings with soapbox cars up to his 2002 24h of
Daytona winning Dallara sports prototype.
Racing Hall – the racing hall is all about professional motorsport. From the rally scene and the endurance championship, the legendary sports car class,
various brand trophies and the US Indy Car series, professional racing cars fill the exhibition hall, which is flooded with daylight.
Steel tank - It is the star of the exhibition halls: the steel tank is a 110-ton, free-standing steel colossus with a diameter of 20 meters and a height of 12
meters, walled into a twelve-sided polygon made of sand-colored and red bricks. Inside this iron giant, 800 square meters of exhibition space spread
over 3 exhibition levels without disruptive supports over the entire area, effectively illuminated with bright light spots. Here you find an exclusive
selection of Sauber, Renault and Ferrari F1 cars, as well as F2 and Le Mans prototypes.
Supersport Gallery - In the style of a luxurious gallery, the steel construction of the Supersport gallery connects the historic brick hall with modern times.
Fittingly, legendary Gran Turismo, infamous super sports cars and modern high-tech supercars with hybrid drive and almost 1000 hp system output are
lined up in the exhibition hall with its impressive interior design on two exhibition areas. Look out for Mercedes 300 SL,Ferrari 330 GTO, Ferrari F40,
Lamborghini Diablo, Porsche 918 Spyder and many many more… You want to see a Saleen S7, a Vector W8, or a Bugatti EB 110 – you now know where
to find them!
You thought, you have seen it all? No way, “Autobau” is also the home of the Clay Regazzoni Memorial room – but this is material for a coming story… so
check this place again.
What: Autobau
Where: Egnacherweg 7, CH-8590 Romanshorn
info@autobau.ch
When: Sunday 10:00 - 17:00
Website: www.autobau.ch
Contact: +41 71 466 00 66
How much: SFr 22.-