Lightning visit Frey’s Mazda Classic Car Museum, including a peek into secret basement!
Frey family
So in the heart of Augsburg you will find the first Mazda museum outside of Japan, founded by the Frey family. What began as a passion for cars grew into one of the largest private Mazda collections in the world. Walter Frey, along with his sons Joachim and Markus, opened the doors of Frey’s Mazda Classic Car Museum, where visitors can experience the Japanese brand’s rich history and unique technologies.
A family business with a passion for Mazda
In 1971, Walter Frey started his car company, Auto Frey, in Gersthofen, near Augsburg. Seven years later, it became one of the first Mazda dealerships in Germany. Choosing Mazda did not come out of the blue; Walter was fascinated by the revolutionary rotary engine, also known as the Wankel engine, a technology Mazda has cherished for years. And still does! Today, visitors to the museum can learn more about this unique engine and how it works.
The start of the collection
Walter’s collecting frenzy began in 1980 when he found his first Mazda Cosmo Sport in New Jersey. This model, the pride of the collection, is still the centerpiece of the museum. Since then, the Frey family has expanded their collection to more than 120 vehicles, each representing a piece of Mazda history. It was a logical step to share all these beauties with the general public through a museum.
Former streetcar depot
For their museum, the Frey family needed not only space, but a place with character. With the help of the local mayor, they found a former streetcar depot in the Senkelbach neighborhood. This building, dating from 1897, not only offered ample space, but also has monumental status. After careful renovation, the building was transformed into an atmospheric space, where the classic Mazda cars are shown off to their full advantage.
A changing exhibition
The museum houses up to 50 vehicles at a time, with a special focus on models featuring the iconic Wankel engine. By regularly changing the exhibition models, the museum remains innovative every time. Yet there are also enduring eye-catchers, such as the unmistakable Mazda Cosmo Sport. The museum also has a “secret” basement. During our visit, after a friendly request, the key was quickly retrieved. That, too, provided some nice pictures and stories. For example, the red Mazda Spiano – normally found in the museum – is from the Netherlands.
Mazda History
Frey’s Mazda Classic Car Museum offers not only a unique look at Mazda’s history, but also the story of a family that turned their passion for cars into a cultural treasure. Whether you are a car enthusiast or just curious, a visit to this special museum is well worth the effort. The favorite of the author of this story: the Mazda Autozam AZ-1 with MazdaSpeed body kit. Just like a little McLaren F1!
Contact details Mazda Classic Car Museum
Want to pay a visit yourself? Here are the contact details
Mazda Classic – Automobil Museum Frey
Wertachstraße 29
86153 Augsburg
Germany
Phone number;: +49 (0) 821 420 607 30
Email: info@mazda-classic-frey.de
Opening hours
Monday to Thursday: 12 am – 5pm (closed: 7 + 8 October 2024)
Friday to Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm
