The store at Østerport was K.W. Bruun's pride and joy

K.W. Bruun, 1897-1980

K.W. Bruun, 1897-1980

 "Money should never be the goal. Only the means."

This was one of the rules of life for Karl Wilhelm (K.W.) Bruun - the founder of K.W. Bruun & Co.

Classic Car House is part of K.W. Bruun & Co, a Danish family-owned group with roots dating back to 1914, when founder K.W. Bruun sold his first cars. K.W. Bruun was a pioneer in the automotive industry and had a unique business acumen that created a solid foundation for the company that today is led by the 4th generation of the Bruun family; Maria Bruun-Lander.

Franz Eilertsen, Jørgen Bruun and K.W. Bruun in the company of Peugeot 504

However, his lifelong passion for cars started as early as 1907, when K.W. Bruun sat in the back seat of his father's brand new Oldsmobile with a tiller. In 1925, K.W. Bruun became an importer for Fiat, and in 1930 he founded British Motors, importing Hillmann, Humber, Sunbeam.

During the war
When Denmark was occupied in 1940, K.W. Bruun hid 150 cars in barns and friends' houses and turned the car dealership in Østerbro into an art gallery. By focusing on art, peat, shoe soles, and 'hidden cars', K.W. Bruun made it through the war. Bruun came through the war well - even with a profit and without having to lay off any employees, the latter of which was very important to him.

K.W.+Bruun+in+front+of+the+garage+in+Kgs+Lyngby.jpg

K.W. Bruun in front of Egebakken on Caroline Amalievej in Lyngby

In 1952, British Motors changed its name to Interdan, the same year that Peugeot was also imported. In the 1960s more brands were added, Trabant, Wartburg, Datsun and DAF, and in the 1980s Dodge, Alfa Romeo and Nissan. Over 25 different car brands have been imported by K.W. Bruun has imported over the years.

The connection to Kgs. Lyngby
The Bruun family has with K.W. Bruun and wife Ragnhild Bruun have roots in Kgs. Lyngby, where the couple built Egebakken on Caroline Amalievej in 1937 and lived for many years until they passed away. The construction of Classic Car House in Kgs. Lyngby is a great source of pride for the family, both personally and professionally.

K.W. Bruun & Co today

For 110 years, selling and importing cars and spare parts has been the core of our business. But there is a time for everything. With respect and consideration for the future of the group, the import division was divested on December 2, 2024 - a strategic shift that marked the beginning of a new chapter in K.W. Bruun & Co's history.

We now face the future with a focus on our core areas: an experience universe built around classic cars, investment in classic investment cars, financial investments and well-located residential rental properties. However, the love of cars never rusts, and more than 100 years of passion can now be experienced here at Classic Car House.

Through our divisions, we aim to unite the Group's wealth preservation investment strategy and economic growth with responsible investment, cultural preservation and active engagement in the local community.

Go to the K.W. Bruun Group website here.

Maria Bruun-Lander is 4th generation and Chairman of the Board of K.W. Bruun & Co.