Full-Size Car Carousels Are a Thing and You Can Buy One

Barrett-Jackson is auctioning off a model from Wilhelm Hennecke in the desert in January.

December 2, 2018 5:00 am
A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)
A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

They don’t make ’em like they used to, so it’s said.

In the case of the transportation-themed carousel Barrett-Jackson will be auctioning off in Scottsdale in mid-January, that’s true – but it’s also amazing they were ever made it at all.

A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

Manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957 especially for the annual Christmas market in Heidelberg, this piece of mechanical art. features old-world craftsmanship which is second to none.

A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

Displayed at a number of other Christmas markets after turning itself and turning heads in Heidelberg, this car carousel eventually found its way into climatized storage where it remained until being discovered by a private collector.

A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

Thirty-two feet in diameter and 16-feet tall, the carousel houses 23 vehicles around its flower-shaped centerpiece. Covered with lights, mirrors and four hand-carved wooden figures playing musical instruments, the centerpiece is a piece of art unto itself.

A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

As for the vehicles, they include a Mercedes-Benz fire truck, an Opel convertible, four Vespa-style scooters, six German bicycles, six Sach’s 50cc motorcycles, and a Mercedes 190. All are made of wood with leather interiors and come complete with working headlights and taillights.

A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

Lit by more than 1,500 six-watt light bulbs, the top of the carousel is covered in illustrations by Fritz Baumgarten from the German children’s book Summer in the Enchanted Forest.

A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

Crossing the block courtesy of Barrett-Jackson at their Scottsdale auction from January 12-20, the carousel, which is in good shape and only required minimal restorations, is being offered with no reserve.

A car carousel manufactured by Wilhelm Hennecke of Germany in 1957. (Barrett-Jackson)

For more information on the sale or to register to bid, please visit Barrett-Jackson’s website.

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