Business F1 Top 20 Petrolheads: Evert Louwman, a Passion for Car History

From 1923, Evert Louwman's father's life was dedicated to the automobile. In those years he was selling Ford Model T cars and imported British-made motorbikes. A year later he started a relationship with Horace and John Dodge, who produced cars and Dodge trucks in Detroit, the latter being very popular in Holland, to become their importer. It marked the second milestone on a successful path to becoming the largest importer of cars in the Netherlands. Not only that, Louwman also became one of the largest sellers of cars in Europe while remaining a family business. The young Evert grew up surrounded by cars and gradually developed an appreciation for the design and construction of the cars his father sold. He also became deeply interested in the history of the global automotive industry, when knowledge was scarce in his country of birth. His knowledge base soon became part of his identity and shaped his life.

Evert Louwman opened the museum that bears his name on 2 July 2010. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was present at the opening.

In 1964, encouraged by his son's daily encouragement, the father decided to turn his car collection into a museum in The Hague. The theme was the evolution of the automobile. So the pre-used cars that clients handed in when picking up a new car, were restored for the museum if they were interesting. Today the Louwman Museum comprises cars covering 100 years of history including racing models from all eras. As he grew older, Evert Louwman devoted more and more time and energy to the affairs of the Museum, which has become a place of pilgrimage for car enthusiasts. Built from scratch, with magnificent contemporary architecture, it now houses no less than 257 vintage road and racing cars, each with a unique history.

Visitors appreciate the variety and meticulous care taken of the cars on display. The jewel of the collection remains the Benz Patent Motorwagen, considered by many to be the world's first car in 1886. In addition to presenting the history of most of the car brands, many of which have also disappeared, the museum has some very special vehicles, including a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C, an original 1967 Ford GT40 and a rare and long-forgotten 1967 Amphicar Model 770, a truly rare German-made amphibious vehicle.

The Louwman Museum building in The Hague is surrounded by a sea of greenery and was built from scratch.

Evert Louwman has acquired some very important examples of historic racing cars along the way, including a 1976 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/SC/12, an Aston Martin DB3 Le Mans, some important Ferraris such as the 1952 Ferrari 375 Indianapolis, the 1957 625 Tasman Series and the 1954 750 Monza Scaglietti. It is simply impossible to list them all, you have to go and see it at www.louwmanmuseum.nl. Evert Louwman is now the undisputed custodian and driving force behind classic car collecting in the Netherlands and is one of the most important collectors in the world as well as number one in Europe. In 2023, Antonio Ghini, Director of The Key, Top of the Classic Car World, says: "Evert Louwman's refined taste is immediately conveyed the moment one enters his large museum in The Hague, not only by the cars, which are perfect and clearly documented, but by the attention paid to the details that make each car something special." Ghini called the museum a "dive into history told by a family with a deep and sincere relationship with the car". He is a hero for his fellow Dutch motoring enthusiasts and has made a national commitment to preserve automotive history for future generations. The museum also features a permanent monument dedicated to his father.

The lobby of the Louwman Museum with its high ceilings reflects the refined taste of the founder.

The family business continued to prosper, although it no longer has the same monopoly it once had. They are still the importer of Toyota, Lexus, McLaren, Suzuki and Morgan. Like many top collectors, Louwman is an active participant in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Goodwood Festival of Speed, believing that these events provide a showcase for the Museum and the Netherlands.

The emergence of Max Verstappen and his three consecutive world championships has given a huge boost to the Louwman Museum and interest in cars throughout the country. Every Dutch citizen seems to have suddenly become a car enthusiast and the number of visitors to the museum has increased since 2021. The museum, however, has not yet managed to acquire a Max Verstappen car, which represents a gap that must be filled.

Evert Louwman enjoys using the cars in his collection and actively participates in various events, as pictured here at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The Louwman Group has just celebrated 100 years of selling cars and Evert wants the family business to complete another century by 2123. He is trying to be as visible as possible and his daughter Quirina often drives the Museum's cars around The Hague and different events. He wants the Louwman Museum to be a living testimony to the history of automobiles and calls it "a tale of passion, preservation and deep appreciation for the cultural and technological significance of automobiles". A museum is also a major tourist attraction for The Hague.

Evert Louwman is the custodian and driving force behind classic car collecting in the Netherlands. His museum houses 257 cars.