FFVE Blog
As part of my collaboration with the FFVE (French Federation for Vintage Vehicles), a new column aims to take readers behind the scenes at automobile museums, to places we rarely or never see, such as workshops or archives, but which are essential to the smooth operation of these institutions. This article is a full translation of the one (in French) in FFVE blog.
Copyright Photos Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without written permission.
In any museum, it is important to maintain the objects on display. What sets a car museum apart is that it houses a “rolling heritage,” and the challenge is therefore to keep the cars in working order as much as possible. As France’s largest car museum (and also one of the largest in the world), the National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection therefore has a fully equipped workshop capable of handling everything from routine maintenance to the complete restoration of vehicles, whether they are new or vintage.
Copyright Photos Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without written permission.
A Brief Historical Overview
Fritz Schlumpf was a textile industrialist based in Mulhouse. He was also a car enthusiast and even raced himself, notably at the wheel of a Bugatti 35. In the early 1960s, Fritz Schlumpf began collecting cars, particularly Bugattis, but also Rolls-Royces, Mercedes, and other prestigious brands. Within a few years, he had amassed nearly 600 cars at a time when few people were interested in them. He also undertook the restoration of the cars he acquired, notably with the support of Bugatti. He set up a workshop and a team of workers in a former spinning mill and prepared to open a museum, all in the utmost secrecy. Unfortunately, the textile crisis hit all industrial companies in the 1970s, leading to the downfall of the Schlumpf Group.
Fortunately, the collection’s contents were preserved (I won’t go into detail here about the intricacies of the case), listed on the inventory of French historic monuments, and sold to an association formed for this purpose with the goal of opening a museum to the public, which was accomplished in 1982. In addition to the Schlumpf Collection, the National Automobile Museum continues to expand its collection, primarily through donations and “long-term” loans.
A Rolling Heritage
Regardless of a museum’s nature, the objects on display must be maintained to preserve the value of the collections as well as to sustain visitors’ interest. What sets a automobile museum apart is that it houses a rolling heritage, and it is important that the cars remain operational to the greatest extent possible. As mentioned earlier, Fritz Schlumpf did not simply collect cars; he had them repaired and restored, seeking to restore them to their former glory.
It was therefore only natural for the National Automobile Museum to continue in this vein, and some sixty cars in the collection are kept in running condition at all times. Some leave the museum from time to time for demonstrations on the adjacent racetrack, for staff training purposes, for loans to exhibitions, or for special events. For example, one of the Bugatti Type 41 Royales, the “Coupé Napoléon”, recently drove through the streets of the Principality of Monaco to celebrate its centennial and was on display there for a few days.
A Fully Equipped Workshop
The workshop adjacent to the museum covers 1,800 m², divided into several work areas. About half of the space consists of a covered parking area and several work bays where cars undergoing repairs are parked. A storage area is used to house spare parts as well as the vintage tools needed for car maintenance. While dimensions and shapes are now standardized in many fields, this was not the case in the early days of the automobile, when each manufacturer had its own practices.
The other half houses machine tools, a solvent-free cryogenic cleaning booth, and storage for raw materials, notably wood, since it’s important to remember that for a long time, car bodies were assembled around a wooden frame! But the most modern techniques, such as 3D printing, are also in use.
Copyright Photos Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without written permission.
Among the curiosities, one piece of equipment catches the eye: a setup with a rudimentary dashboard, a sheet of plywood, two gauges, and a few switches… This system was developed to test the Royale’s engine while it was removed from the car. In fact, integrating the engine into the car is complex, and on top of that, this massive 12.7-liter inline-8 weighs about 350 kg (dry weight). So there was no way to put the engine back in to check its operation. The engine was therefore mounted on the test bench, with fluids in containers around it and this dashboard to operate and monitor it! This is obviously a far cry from the diagnostic kits found in modern cars, and you have to get creative!
A Professional Team
Brice Chalancon, the workshop manager, leads a team consisting of two mechanics and two apprentices. Through the workshop, the National Automobile Museum collaborates with local training organizations to train mechanics in the maintenance of vintage vehicles.
Part of the collection, particularly the cars acquired in the initial purchase, is designated as part of the de French Museums heritage. Brice Chalancon, an engineer by training, therefore had to complete a two-year advanced training program at the “Haute École ARC” in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, to become a French Museums certified restorer, a qualification required to restore heritage items designated by French Museums. As part of this work, Brice developed an acoustic sensor system designed to detect problems in engines before they cause damage.
Let’s not forget the many volunteers from the Association of Friends of the Museum (AIAM) who are part of this team and provide invaluable assistance in maintaining this exceptional fleet of vehicles. They lend their expertise to certain maintenance tasks, moving vehicles, and preparing for outings and off-site exhibitions. During our visit, for example, about ten volunteers were loading cars onto trucks that were to be displayed at a nearby shopping center to promote the museum and its exhibitions.
Preserve or Restore?
When a car is added to the National Automobile Museum’s collection, it undergoes a comprehensive inspection to determine not only its mechanical condition but also the condition of its body, chassis, interior fittings, and upholstery… Back in the days of the Schlumpf brothers and the initial restorations, the decision was made to completely drain all fluids from the engines, primarily to prevent “aggressive” liquids from damaging mechanical components and causing corrosion and leaks. Since this empirical approach proved beneficial, it remains the standard practice today.
The workshop collaborates with several laboratories and oil companies to source oils and other fluids suited to these vintage engines, as part of a genuine research effort aimed at better managing conservation by keeping pace with technological advancements. In fact, as part of this initiative, the National Automobile Museum had a Bugatti Royale running on synthetic fuel in 2025.
Drawing on its experience, the workshop also aims to define methods and processes for the conservation and maintenance of classic cars that can be shared with others.
Restoration is always a topic of debate, pitting those who opt for a complete restoration, resulting in cars that look newer than when they rolled off the assembly line, against enthusiasts who advocate preserving vehicles “as-is.” For the museum’s workshop, the question of preservation versus restoration arises regularly, whether it concerns the mechanics, the bodywork, or the interiors. The vehicle’s condition, its historical significance, and, of course, the budget available are key factors in choosing the right option.
Copyright Photos Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without written permission.
During my visit, a 1911 Lorraine Dietrich perfectly illustrated this dilemma. The car is a rare and interesting model; the mechanical components are functional, and the chassis and bodywork are in good condition, but the interior trim, upholstery, and soft top have suffered the ravages of time! The car therefore seemed like a good candidate for restoration. But a closer look revealed that certain intricate details of the bodywork and trim could not be reproduced, and simplified versions would spoil the overall look. The decision was therefore made to opt for conservation, which preserves the car’s current condition and prevents further deterioration.
Let’s not forget that work on classic cars is often costly and must be carried out within available budgets.
Unpleasant Surprises
Bringing cars to the shop on a regular basis helps keep them in working order. But sometimes a simple maintenance job turns into a much more extensive restoration. Take this Bugatti 37, for example, which came into the shop to have its clutch replaced. However, metal shavings discovered in the oil during an oil change led to a complete teardown.
Copyright Photos Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without written permission.
Ultimately, the engine block had to be replaced, and securing a replacement block and the necessary funding took several years. Several parts were remanufactured before the complete reassembly could begin. A year ago, there was just a chassis and a massive puzzle; today, there’s a nearly finished car, soon to be ready to hit the road! The entire project took nearly 10 years.
Copyright Photos Automobile-Museums, no right of reproduction without written permission.
While many automobile museums have a workshop or garage for maintenance, few are obviously as spacious or equipped with such extensive resources. This is the behind-the-scenes work that makes it possible to admire all these cars in the museum’s showcase and to see them on the road, ensuring that this heritage remains alive. A big thank you to Brice for his hospitality and for sharing his passion!
Copyright Photos MNA, no right of reproduction without the express permission of the museum.
For more information about the National Automobile Museum – Schlumpf Collection and the museum’s visiting policies (but not the workshop).