South Africa

Billionaire Johann Rupert’s impressive car collection at the Franschhoek Motor Museum – Photos

Daily Investor • 2 May 2026

The Franschhoek Motor Museum, owned by billionaire Johann Rupert, showcases 140 years of automotive history with over 220 cars and motorcycles.

The museum dates back to 1974, when Dr Anton Rupert opened the Heidelberg Museum in the old Transvaal province.

For two decades, South Africans and international tourists have flocked to the popular attraction. Many distinguished guests visit the museum, including Nelson Mandela.

In 1999, the Heidelberg Museum was placed in the hands of British American Tobacco (BAT), which had close ties to the Rupert family.

Since the museum doesn’t form part of the company’s core business, BAT decided to close its doors in 2003.

When Johann Rupert heard about the closure, he bought the collection his father started and relocated it to L’Ormarins Estate in Franschhoek.

On 7 May 2007, the Franschhoek Motor Museum (FMM) opened to the public, offering visitors one of the largest car collections globally.

The museum is housed in four separate, dehumidified buildings, all facing a courtyard, with a total floor space of around 2,700 square meters.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum has approximately 220 vehicles, of which 80 are on display at any given time.

Vehicles are displayed on a rotating basis, so visitors have a different experience each time they visit the museum.

The collection has vehicles built in South Africa and overseas, and portrays the evolution of the automobile.

Visitors have access to a unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, and memorabilia.

Apart from viewing the cars, visitors can also have a snack at the deli or take a tram ride to Anthonij Rupert Wines for a wine tasting.

The Franschhoek Motor Museum today

The Franschhoek Motor Museum is one of the premier automotive collections in the Southern Hemisphere, and the best South Africa has to offer.

The exhibits include Antique & Veteran, Vintage & Post-Vintage, and Post-45 & Post-60 cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.

The museum includes the 1898 Beeston motor tricycle, a 1903 Ford Model A, and several variations of the Ford Model T.

It also has early luxury cars like the 1915 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and workhorses, like a 1946 Jeep CJ2A and a 1936 International LDV.

There are many Art Deco-style cars, including the 1936 Auburn Speedster, a 1936 Cord 810 Convertible, and the 1935 Austro-Daimler Bergmeister.

Post-war icons, such as the 1956 Austin-Healey 100/4 and the 1966 VW Beetle 1300, are well represented at the museum.

A significant portion of the British Classics & Performance hall is dedicated to British engineering and iconic sports cars.

These cars include the 1968 Jaguar E-Type Series 1½ and several MG models like the 1954 MG TF1500 and the 1967 Morris Cooper S.

There are also a 1928 Bentley 4½ Litre, a 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT, and the Ineos Grenadier to show the evolution of off-road design.

The performance, racing & exotics hall is a favourite for many car enthusiasts, with high-performance machinery and professional racing cars.

It features the legendary Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari F40, Ferrari F50, and the McLaren F1, as well as modern rarities like the Pagani Huayra and the Porsche Carrera GT.

Notable racing machines in this section include the 1974 Tyrrell-Ford 007/1 and the 1978 March 78B.

Visitors can also see the Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet (1970) and the Audi S6 V10 quattro (2007).

Daily Investors visited the Franschhoek Motor Museum in May 2026, and the photos below show what was on display during that visit.