Classic Mazda Museum Now Open in Augsburg, Germany

Want a break from looking at Audis and BMWs on your next trip to Germany? Why not head to the newly opened Mazda museum in Augsburg for an afternoon of Japanese rotary refuge? 

Over the weekend, Mazda officially opened its first museum outside of its home country of Japan in the university town of Augsburg, Germany. Located about an hour northwest of Munich, Frey's Mazda Classic Car Museum—a collaboration between Mazda Germany and local Mazda dealer Auto Frey—houses 45 vintage and notable automobiles from Mazda's nearly-100-year history. Originally an old tram depot dating back to the end of the 1800s, the building also features a large event area, restaurant facilities...and of course, a gift shop for all of your Wankel coaster and Autozam keychain needs.

In terms of cars, the museum has the obvious suspects, such as a 1992 RX-7, a 1967 Cosmo Sport, and the aforementioned Autozam AZ-1 gull-winged kei car, as well as lesser-known classic Mazdas like the 1960 R360 (the company's very first mass-produced passenger car), a 1976 616 (the first Mazda sold in Germany), and the delightfully quaint K360 three-wheeled light truck from 1962, among dozens of others. The roster of autos on display is set to rotate continually, in and out of Frey's 120-plus-strong collection.

If you're ever in the area, the Mazda Classic—Automobil Museum Frey is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.