UNUSUAL. Discover One of the most beautiful and largest collections of vintage cars and motorcycles

In Obenheim (Bas-Rhin), in the former disused BASF magnetic tape factories, there is One of the largest collections of vintage automobiles and motorcycles in France. They are the property of Cyril Gautier who has had an unbridled passion for mechanics since his young years. Guided tour of this unusual and almost secret place.

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Cyril Gautier has always been passionate about cars and motorcycles. He even made some with his own hands and won great custom awards. In the world of automobiles and motorcycles, he is a celebrity. He finished second in the European Championship and seventh in the World Championship for the creation of his motorcycles. He regularly participates in international meetings. “Before I went into debt to buy a house, I went into debt to buy a Bugatti. My parents said I was crazy. I was sleeping in my garage next to my car“.

In the old disused BASF cassette factories that he bought in Obenheim (Bas-Rhin), in the center of Alsace, he set up his workshop and his collections: Art of racer.

The exact number of vehicles he owns today? He doesn’t know anything about it: “probably several thousands”. The immense warehouses follow one another in which exceptional cars from all countries and generations, as well as original parts, sleep. “There are also many wrecks that I want to bring back to life”.

At the entrance to his “toy store for big children”, he set up a private repair and renovation workshop. On several sets, motorcycles or old cars, indiscriminately. This workshop is only used for the realization of its projects.“No one imposes anything on me. I carry out my restorations as I see fit. I am like an artist”. When we point out to him “the magnitude of the task to be accomplished, that one life would not be enough”he answers : “I know, I accumulate a lot. But no, really, I couldn’t leave this car in a field”.

Cyril Gautier lives from “his art”. “Today, I offer my clients the opportunity to invest. I find them vehicles that they can resell at a profit. Classic cars and motorcycles are very good investments”. The money he collects is used to buy more and more vehicles.

The Alsatian collector is a well of automotive and motorcycle science. He knows all the parts of the vehicles, the mechanisms. He spots an original steering wheel or a collector chassis at the slightest glance. He knows all the dates. “Knowing the history of a vehicle will increase its value.” He is moved by an old brake from the thirties: “look how beautiful it is”.

Cyril Gautier will participate on May 11 and 12, 2024 in the Vintage revival Montlhéry (Essonne), one of the largest stages in Europe for pre-war vehicles. He will bring his 1930 Morgan three-wheeler, one of the five fastest vehicles in the world.

He also announced his participation in the Bugatti Rally on May 18 and 19, 2024, which will celebrate the centenary of the European Grand Prix in Lyon (Rhône) and the centenary of the Bugatti Type 35 which was built for the occasion. He will leave from the cradle of the brand in Molsheim (Bas-Rhin) with an exceptionally red Bugatti since it was part of the Swiss team. A rare vehicle. The event will take place on the original 1924 circuit in Brignais (Rhône).

Cyril Gautier’s workshop and collections cannot be visited. They are sometimes available at major auctions of old vehicles.

Do you know an unusual place or character in Alsace and you want to make it known? Do not hesitate to contact Alsace Insolite [email protected]. Unusual Alsace, a collection of reports to discover on france.tv.