About
josefganz.org
Preserving the legacy of an extraordinary engineer through meticulous research, publication, and restoration.
Paul (behind the wheel) & Lorenz in the 1931 May Bug prototype — Zandvoort, 2009
The website josefganz.org was created by Paul Schilperoord and Lorenz Schmid, united by a shared dedication to researching and presenting the documented history of Josef Ganz and his work.
Paul Schilperoord
Writer, journalist, and industrial designer from the Netherlands. Paul became fascinated by Josef Ganz and started to research his life and work more than 20 years ago. His book "The Extraordinary Life of Josef Ganz" has been published in four languages and became the foundation for the documentary film published in 2019.
Lorenz Schmid
A descendant of Josef Ganz's uncle Alfred Ganz, Lorenz carries a deeply personal connection to this history. From his first meeting with Paul, a strong friendship started, as well as a shared passion to promote the life and work of Josef Ganz and ensure his story is never forgotten again.
Paul Schilperoord begins his research into the life and work of Josef Ganz, uncovering a forgotten chapter of automotive history.
Lorenz Schmid and his father travel to The Hague to meet Paul Schilperoord for the first time. At a Ganz family celebration, Lorenz — a car enthusiast since his earliest days — had been shown a newspaper article from the Tagesanzeiger about Josef Ganz, based on Paul's research. That article sparked a lifelong collaboration.
First book about Josef Ganz published in the Netherlands. At the book launch, Paul and Lorenz drive the original 1931 May Bug prototype at the Zandvoort racing circuit.
Portuguese edition of the book published, bringing Josef Ganz's story to a new audience.
German edition published — the story returns to the country where it all began.
English edition published as "The Extraordinary Life of Josef Ganz." Major press coverage in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Daily Mail, and The Times.
Updated Dutch edition released. Louwman Museum in The Hague unveils the original May Bug prototype to the public.
Paul and Lorenz purchase a unique 1933 Standard Superior Type 1 with original chassis and running gear, beginning their ambitious restoration project.
Crowdfunding campaign launched for the Standard Superior restoration. Documentary "Ganz: How I Lost My Beetle" by award-winning director Suzanne Raes, produced by Submarine.
Documentary broadcast on Swiss national television (RTS) and German radio (WDR 5), reaching millions of new viewers.
The josefganz.org archive continues to grow, with ongoing restoration work and new exhibitions planned across Europe.
Become Part of
This Story
For more than 20 years, we have been committed to making Josef Ganz's life known. Numerous people have supported us along the way — with heart and soul, valuable tips, and generous contributions. We are looking for partners, museums, event organizers, and anyone passionate about preserving this forgotten chapter of automotive and Jewish history. Whether you can host an exhibition, collaborate on a project, or support our work in any way — we'd love to hear from you.