Rolls-Royce Museum

The Rolls-Royce Museum stands in Dornbirn, a town in Austria’s westernmost province of Vorarlberg. It occupies a former textile factory once owned by the Hämmerle family. The museum opened to the public in 1999 after starting as a private collection in 1982. It now holds what is widely regarded as the world’s largest collection of Rolls-Royce cars. The founder, Franz Vonier, ran the museum until his death in 2017. His sons Bernhard and Johannes later moved the museum to a smaller nearby building they owned. The collection includes more than a thousand objects, with around seventy cars on display. Special exhibits change each year to highlight different themes from the collection. Among the permanent highlights are a 1927 Phantom I once driven by Peter O’Toole in Lawrence of Arabia. Another is the same model owned by General Franco. A 1932 Phantom II was once driven by Rita Hayworth, while a 1936 Phantom III belonged to Queen Elizabeth. Visitors find a carefully arranged display of classic Rolls-Royce models in the smaller building. Each car is positioned to show off its polished bodywork and fine details. The exhibition space is organised to let visitors walk around each vehicle. Labels provide information about the cars’ histories and famous owners. The museum’s setting in a former factory adds a contrast between industrial past and automotive elegance.