Why does the most charismatic car brand in the German industry have a name as Hispanic as Mercedes? The reason lies in the origins of these cars. A history that dates back to the end of the 19th century, when engineers Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach opened their car factory on the outskirts of Stuttgart. From there came practically individualized vehicles, available only to the great fortunes of the time such as the Austro-Hungarian diplomat Emil Jellinek.
This character was passionate about the emerging car racing. So he had bought some cars from German industrialists. And every time he went out to compete, he would write on the bodywork the name of his beloved daughter Mercedes, named in honor of the Spanish Infanta María de las Mercedes de Borbón and Hagsburg-Lorraine. The fact is that Jellinek also had his entrepreneurial side and sensed the economic boon that cars would mean. So he invested in the Daimler Motor factory in Stuttgart, but with the condition of renaming the vehicles with the name of his daughter. So since 1902, the cars that come out of that factory have been called Mercedes.
Although the current trademark is Mercedes-Benz. And to understand it you have to remember another woman. In this case Bertha Benz, wife of engineer Karl Benz, whom she financed to create the first internal combustion automobile in 1886. Although she reserved the honor of being the first person to drive a car during a long trip, making almost 200 kilometers through the towns and landscapes of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, whose capital is Stuttgart.
Benz and Mercedes cars were rivals for decades, but in 1926 they merged to face the tremendous inflation that Germany suffered after the First World War. And precisely in those years a brilliant engineer named Ferdinand Porsche worked within that factory. Such an enormous talent that he ended up flying alone to be one of the founders of Volkswagen and later create the brand that has made his name synonymous with speed and luxury.
And all this happened in Stuttgart, a key epicenter of automotive history. It is true that the city has monumental attractions worth a visit such as the Schlossplatz, always animated by locals and visitors, or the Kunstmuseum overflowing with works of art from various periods. Not to mention its gigantic National Theater and the many restaurants where you can taste the local cuisine well washed down by the famous wines made in the south of Germany. But still, perhaps the main reason to visit Stuttgart is to worship the automobile companies that emerged here, which have their respective museums.
Of the two, the Mercedes-Benz Museum is the larger. Located in the Bad Cannstatt neighborhood, where Gottlieb Daimler built its original factory but located in a modern building that houses up to 160 vehicles of the brand to tell its long history of more than 130 years. There you can see the most primitive cars and machines that anticipate the future. An evolution from the first three-wheeled car that looks like a carriage to vehicles that reach breakneck speeds and consume clean energy. And in between are icons such as the stately Mercedes 500K Roadster from the 1930s, the Mercedes 260 D which was the first diesel passenger car or the beautiful 300 SL Coupé, better known as “gullwing” due to the vertical opening of its two doors.
On the long tour of the more than 16,000 square meters of the museum, other devices from the firm are shown, ranging from fire trucks to airplane and boat engines. Without forgetting the chapter dedicated to the competition where cars appear driven by distant myths such as the Argentine driver Juan Manuel Fangio or closer in time such as Lewis Hamilton, six-time Formula 1 champion at the controls of a Mercedes steering wheel.
While in the Zuffenhausen district, north of Stuttgart, is the Porsche Museum, near the brand’s factory, which can also be visited by reservation. The museum is smaller than the Mercedes-Benz one. After all, the history of Porsche is shorter, but as fast as the sports cars that star in the exhibition. There are all their emblems such as the old Porsche 356, the Panamera, the Carrera, the Porsche 917/20 Pink Pig and there are also the team’s vehicles that won the 24 hours of Le Mans. However, if there is a car that embodies Porsche design and glamour, it is the 911. A reference for the firm that even welcomes the museum with a huge sculpture where three Porsche 911s rise to the sky.
This classic sports car, sought after by any collector, summarizes the characteristics of the house: elegance, efficiency, distinction and exclusivity. Words also applicable to the building that houses the museum. It is an attractive and dynamic steel and glass structure that rises from the ground thanks to oblique columns. Just to see this marvel of contemporary architecture is worth visiting the museum. Although once there it is evident that you have to enter its rooms and discover cars that are classified as jewels.
What museum to see? The Mercedes-Benz one or the Porsche one? The first is larger and presents a tour of the evolution of the automobile world. Furthermore, knowing the history of Mercedes is also discovering the most recent development of Germany. While the second is more specific and motor lovers scrutinize the secrets of machines designed to run and enjoy. However, they are complementary facilities. Even in the price, since, if you visit one, the other is cheaper. In short, just as we would not hesitate to have a Mercedes-Benz and a Porsche in our garage, if our pocketbook and available time allow it, the ideal is to visit both museums.