Inside Germany’s Car Graveyard
Michael Fröhlich’s 1950 Jaguar XK120
Michael Fröhlich has been many things in his life: a fashion designer, band member, and race car driver, but now he has settled on running his luxury car dealership in Neanderthal, Germany. Hidden beneath the pristine cars ready for purchase lay fifty cars hidden away in his backyard, all luxury cars, and all rotting away.
Starting in 1984, Fröhlich began collecting luxury cars from 1950, his birth year, and placed them to rot in a forest next to his house. The collection, now complete, is open to the public to view, explore, and photograph, but only with permission from the man himself.
His Autoskulpturenpark (car sculpture park) has been open for 17 years. According to Fröhlich, the cars are more than just art, they are a statement. By allowing these cars to be overtaken by nature he hopes to embody the idea that nature is stronger than man-made work, as is symbolized by the cars.
“We demonize cars, but in 100 years nothing will be left,” says Fröhlich. “We watch as all the seasons and animals tear apart what once was the mighty Rolls Royce.”
The first car he accumulated for his collection is also his favorite— a 1950 Jaguar XK120. The same model in working condition can be sold for up to $190,000. Fröhlich himself used the car during his three-year stint as a racecar driver and even used it to win the 1984 Neanderthal Grand Prix.
Upon his victory, Fröhlich was reluctant to get rid of the car. “I looked at it and said, ‘this is my brother,’” recalled Fröhlich. “It is a piece of my personality.”
With his Jaguar to start off the collection he began to gather cars across the globe, from England, America, France, Italy, and more. By the time he was celebrating his 50th birthday in 2000, Fröhlich had all of his “brothers” there to celebrate with him, as well as 1000 guests, including local media.
Despite the initial local coverage, his park is not well known among his fellow Germans. When asking some of the Neanderthaler people, most did not even know of his park, and if they did, had not visited.
Now, 17 years later, Fröhlich drives an old American police car replica to his dealership while his wife runs the park and allows people to enter. His luxury car dealership is also known as Fantastische Farhzeuge in German, which translates to “Fantastic Cars” in English.
Contrary to the stereotypical car lover, Fröhlich is also extremely passionate about the environment. When first creating his park, he approached the local water department and informed them of his plans.
“It was much like a wedding,” recalls Fröhlich. “Complain now, or forever hold your peace.”
Fröhlich ensured that he took the proper precautions as well, otherwise his intended statement would not explicitly get his point across. Prior to even setting the cars out, Fröhlich made sure to remove any part of the car that could potentially seep into the ground and water. At the time of acquirement, many of the cars were still in driving condition, but now, none of the cars have a complete motor in them. They will either have no motor or only parts of one.
“You can be crazy and have hobbies and care for the environment,” says to Fröhlich. At heart, Fröhlich is an environmentalist.
Currently, if anyone wishes to visit the park themselves, they must visit Fröhlich’s website and get directly in contact with him. Without a response or permission, going onto his property is trespassing.
In the past three years there has been an increase in visitors. While Fröhlich’s wife controls entry, patrons are more than welcome to approach the man himself should they see him while observing all these fantastic metal beasts slowly being torn apart by nature.