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Tue Sep 13, 2005 6:58 am

Does anyone know of a website or maybe the actual address for the Karmann Museum in Osnabruck Germany. I am planiing on going to the Wolfsburg Museum and wanted to go to the Karamann one as well. I am looking to go sometime next week-i beleive its the week of sept 17 maybe. thank you

Tue Sep 13, 2005 8:27 am

http://www.karmann.com

Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:06 am

From what I understand, the Karmann museum is only open to the public by prior arrangement--meaning you must write or call ahead. Fro mwhat I heard from a German source close to the company, this was due to some visitors damaging the cars--removing parts and such when the docents weren't looking!

Anyway, I recommend making contact with them prior to showing up. It may save some disappointment.

Tue Sep 13, 2005 5:14 pm

we went to the Karmann display when at GMH05

Karmann had loaned some Ghias to a special 50th anniversary show at VW/Wolfsburg (including the 53 protoype Coupe and a 58 Ghia Cab)
We were told this Wolfsburg show would be open til the end of Sept 05

the Karmann shop was selling some pretty cool bits & pieces (gifts/memorabilia), at really good prices

Tue Sep 13, 2005 9:53 pm

Also, be sure not to call it a museum - It's the Karmann Collection

Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:39 pm

I went to Wolfsburg two years ago and visited Autostad. It's a huge Automobile disneyworld with representation of the entire VAG including Bugati, Lamborghini, Audi, Skoda,...

They have an impressive oldtimer museum with some neat old VW, DKW (old Audi's), but almost no Ghias :cry: . I guess if they have a temporary display from Osnabrueck there, that would help.

Have fun on your trip :181_blue:

Sun May 15, 2011 7:36 am

hi, Bad Camberg is coming and we would like to visit this private collection. Do you have any adress or contact because karmann.com does not work anymore.
Thanks, Yves

Sun May 15, 2011 9:16 am

I was lucky to have been given a private tour of Karman last september after a year of trying to locate someone with access. My friend at VW wolfsburg arrainged it for me through a manager at Karman. Unfortunatly, after their recent problems this was the only way to get access and I was told until the new owners, VW, decide what to do with it the collection will remain closed. The manager I met with was given his 3 month notice and is no longer there :( I wish I had better news for you. Are you friends with anyone at VW?

Sun May 15, 2011 10:22 am

Thanks for reply, No I do not have contact at VW (otherwise I would also own a 2003 ultima edicion bug). But I know a guy who know a french one having contacts I will write to him to know what happened .
See you there in B.C.?
Yves 57 oval in original state but paint.

Sun May 15, 2011 10:34 am

Keep in mind that Karmann has experienced serious ongoing financial issues....

http://www.autoobserver.com/2009/04/famed-german-coachbuilder-karmann-files-for-bankruptcy.html

Also note that in....

August 2010 Karmann´s North American operations were sold to the Webasto Group.

November 2010 Valmet Automotive signed an agreement to purchase Karmann´s roof-component sections in Osnabrück, Germany and Zary, Poland.

November 20, 2009 Volkswagen revealed that it would buy Karmann's site at Osnabrück

I'd guess their collection currently hovers in the realm of a huge question mark regarding it's future.

Dave

Mon May 16, 2011 2:17 am

I am lucky enough to have visited the Karmann factory and collection back in 1991 as a guest of Volkswagen UK.
It was an absolutely amazing experience to be on the factory floor and see the Corrado, Mk1 Golf Convertible and Scirocco being made...
The collection of cars was fantastic, and being able to wander around amongst them for a time is something I still remember vividly 20 years on.....
Isn't VW now beginning to manufacture the 'new' Golf convertible at VW Osnabruck (as they have decided to name the former Karmann plant) ?
I'm sure the collection of cars will be open to the public some day in one way or another, just hope that the cars don't get shipped off to the Autostadt....they deserve to stay in Osnabruck IMHO.

:wink:

Mon May 16, 2011 4:10 am

The "Karmann Collection" was never opened for everyone like a museum :!:
Since a few months Volkswagen is owner of the most of Karmann's produced and collected cars ... though there is no change in this situation. :cry:

But you will find the most exhibited cars of the collection also in these books: :wink:

Nevertheless I visited the very exciting collection already twice. :roll:

Tue Feb 14, 2012 12:36 am

Does anyone know the address of the factory/colection at Osnabruck please? I'd like to take my Karmann threre for a visit as we'll be passing - even if we don't get to go in...

Cheers,

Dave

Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:00 am

bally wrote: Does anyone know the address of the factory/colection at Osnabruck please? I'd like to take my Karmann threre for a visit as we'll be passing - even if we don't get to go in...

Cheers,

Dave
Hello Dave,

please have a look here:
:arrow: http://maps.google.be/maps?hl=de&rlz=1T4GGLD_d...d=0CBIQ_BI

The name is nowadays "Volkswagen Osnabrueck" :!:

Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:10 pm

bally wrote: Does anyone know the address of the factory/colection at Osnabruck please? I'd like to take my Karmann threre for a visit as we'll be passing - even if we don't get to go in...

Cheers,

Dave

The address is:

1 Karmannstrasse

Osnabrueck.... I don't have the postfach number memorized, though.

They PROBABLY have not renamed the street!

BTW, I have been to the collection many dozens of times and know from family members that many of the Karmann Ghias in that collection were sold to family members at very friendly prices, so the whole connection, and especially not many of the Ghias, have gone to VW.

It remains to be seen what VW will do with their new gem. Sadly, their management didn't have any interest in Karmann except absorbing their capacity on the cheap!

Rgds,

Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:55 pm

Thanks Wolfgang and Richard - that's exactly what I need. From Wolfgang's link to google maps the address is:

Karmannstr. 1
49084 Osnabrück, Deutschland

I don't know if we'll have time to visit the collection on Sunday but it will just be nice to pop by and revisit the birthplace :)

It's a shame if the Karmann history/identity of the plant is lost forever - they've made some great cars over the years, often the best on offer from a variety of maufacturers.

Thanks again,

Dave

Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:01 pm

i so want to see it. and bad camberg. me a ruby need to go. sam too.
hello lotto tickets

Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:30 pm

I have fond memories of riding through the factory grounds in Osnabrück in a 1958 Coupe, one fine summer day ten years ago. My wife, my good buddy Lutz, and a few thousand other enthusiasts, and I were celebrating Karmann's 100th year of being in business, with a city-wide party! Now, ten years on, I am happy that Volkswagen has stepped in to take over the plant and restore a few jobs, but in general, I feel sad about the demise of Karmann as an independent entity. :(