Swiss Automotive History at DasDepot.ch Museum

The temporary exhibition "Motor Vehicle Pioneers, Manufacturers within 30 km around Murten" at DasDepot.ch Museum in Murten sheds light on 12 (almost) forgotten producers of local motor vehicle manufacturing.

Through intensive research and conceptual work, a comprehensive portrait of these 12 brands has been created, tracing the 50 years (1885-1935) of local motor vehicle history with numerous historical documents, illustrations, and objects. The brands HENRIOD (Biel), ZEDEL (Zürcher & Lüthi, St. Aubin), BERNA (Bern), MOSER (St. Aubin), MARTINI (St. Blaise), SNA (Société Neuchâtelois d’Automobiles, Boudry), ZÜRCHER (St. Aubin), COSMOS (Biel), LA COLOMBE (Payerne), M.V. (Müller & Vogel, St. Aubin), WAVRE (Neuchâtel), and ALLEGRO (Neuchâtel) were both nationally and internationally renowned for their high-quality automobiles, motorcycles, and engines.

For instance, in 1908, the Martini brand participated in the international race "Coupe des Voiturettes" in Compiègne, near Paris, and secured first, second, and fourth place in its category. One of these racing cars of the V3 type from 1908 can still be admired at DasDepot until October 13, on loan from the Fondation Gianadda.

A special highlight of the exhibition is a previously unknown homemade car, constructed in 1916 by Eric Wavre in Neuchâtel with the assistance of a Zedel motorcycle engine from around 1904, officially registered in the canton of Neuchâtel. This Voiturette exemplifies the theme of small cars, cyclecars, and Voiturettes prevalent in the 1910s and 1920s, often crafted as unique pieces by enthusiastic individuals or small manufacturers with limited resources.

Thanks to the collaboration with numerous individuals and institutions such as the Verkehrshaus Luzern, the Motorradmuseum Wüst, the Friends of Vintage Motorcycles Switzerland (FAM), and the Fondation Gianadda, this temporary exhibition was made possible. Those interested in learning more about these (almost) forgotten brands and their stories can visit the temporary exhibition at TheDepot.ch in Murten until October 13, every Wednesday and Sunday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

DasDepot.ch