Introducing Spyker Heritage: A legacy of Dutch craftsmanship and innovation since 1880.

Episode 1: Where it all began – The Art of Coachbuilding

The story of Spyker began in 1880, when Dutch brothers Hendrik Jan and Jacobus Spijker, both blacksmiths by profession, established their carriage-building company in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

True artisans, the brothers built their carriages entirely in-house, combining exceptional craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail and an uncompromising commitment to quality. Their reputation soon extended far beyond the Netherlands, with their carriages finding their way to customers around the world.

For the first episode of Spyker Heritage, we returned to these origins in a truly special way. Against the historic backdrop of Slot Zuylen, a magnificent Dutch castle, we brought an original 1890 Spyker Landauer carriage back to life. Drawn by two magnificent black Friesian horses, the carriage once again took to the road, offering a rare glimpse into the elegance and craftsmanship of Spyker's earliest years.

Joining us is Mario Broekhuis, carriage historian, who shares his knowledge of the Spijker brothers, their extraordinary craftsmanship and the company's early success in the world of coachbuilding.

Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker, reflects on the remarkable parallels between the original carriage-building company and the modern Spyker brand.

From historic names such as Coupé and Spyder to the tradition of creating bespoke vehicles tailored to the individual wishes of each customer, the philosophy established in 1880 remains deeply embedded in Spyker's identity today.

Nearly 150 years later, the commitment to craftsmanship, individuality and uncompromising quality remains unchanged. As Victor Muller puts it: "A Spyker is a piece of art that you can enjoy every day."

A heritage worth rediscovering

The history of Spyker extends far beyond the world of horse-drawn carriages.

Over the decades, the company established itself as a pioneer in automotive engineering, introducing groundbreaking innovations that helped shape the early history of the automobile. Its ambitions also extended into aviation, where Dutch ingenuity and engineering excellence reached new heights.

With Spyker Heritage, we aim to uncover, document and share these remarkable chapters, bringing historical discoveries, rare archival material and extraordinary stories to a new generation of enthusiasts. And this is only the beginning.

We are already working on several upcoming episodes, exploring subjects including Spyker's aviation history, the legendary Peking-to-Paris motor race, pioneering automotive innovations, and many more fascinating chapters from the brand's past.

Through conversations with historians, collectors, technical experts and those who have preserved pieces of Spyker's history, we hope to reveal both familiar milestones and stories that have remained untold for generations.

Help us uncover spyker's history

An important part of this project is discovering and preserving the stories, objects and memories that connect us to Spyker's extraordinary past. We warmly invite historians, collectors, enthusiasts and anyone with a connection to Spyker to contribute to our research.

Perhaps you own a rare photograph, an original document, a historical object or a piece of Spyker memorabilia. Perhaps you have a family story, personal recollection or knowledge of an important event in the company's history. We would love to hear from you. Every discovery, however small, may help us uncover another chapter of this remarkable Dutch story.

Please contact our editorial team at [email protected].

Watch the first episode

Spyker Heritage – Episode 1: Where It All Began: The Art of Coachbuilding is now available on the official Spyker YouTube channel.

Join us as we travel back to 1880 and discover the origins of a brand whose dedication to craftsmanship, innovation and individuality continues to this day.

Spyker Heritage — A legacy of Dutch craftsmanship and innovation since 1880.