Porsche Porsche Museum 2012
Porsche Porsche Museum 2012
Story and Images by Frank Cunningham
The Porsche Museum
As I was traveling in Europe the opportunity to make a tour of the Porsche Museum was one thing that could not be passed up, although it required a 2-day side trip. Our tour was to end in Frankfurt, so we booked a hotel in Stuttgart and hopped on to a train to same.
The rail system in and around Stuttgart is very efficient and did not require too much of a learning curve, however I did manage to jump to quickly on the S6 and found myself going the wrong way and suffered a 20 minuet delay in a hot and some what stuffy underground station waiting for the train going the other way to arrive.
Once on the proper train, the trip was short and an easy ride. At the Porscheplatz stop I was surprised to find myself standing just across the street of the museum entrance. Much more convenient than the access to the Mercides-Benz Museum I had previously visited.
To view all the AllCarCentral.com's photos of the museums cars click on "P" at top of page and go to "Porsche Photo Gallery".
Entering the lobby I paid for my pass and asked to see a manager as I wanted to give the museum a copy of a photo book which I had published that had the images of the Porsche cars running through the Corkscrew at Mazda raceway, Laguna Seca, during the 2012 Rennsport Reunion. (A copy of the photo book can be purchase through the AllCarCentral.com Magazine website.) Much to my delight the floor manager returned with the Manager of Porsche's Historical Archive, Dieter Landenberger, who graciously accepted my book and offered to show me around the museum's repair shop where there were several cars being prepared.
Mr. Landenberger explained that the Porsche Museum was a world wide traveling museum and contained over 500 cars that were off to races, shows, and special events when not on the museum floor. Of the cars which were parked outside of the shop was the 911 of Ferdinand (F.A.) Porsche. This was his personal car and was the first of 1976 911 Turbos.
I asked if there was a list of all the cars that was in the museums' care and he said yes, but it was a secret list.
On to the museum displays. The procedure is to ride to the first level and spiral up to the top. At the first landing and the starting point is where the bare aluminum uni-body of the Type 64 sat shinning in the spotlights.
Behind were a selection of early racing models, 550, 904, and a 908, with several 356 standard models along the wall. The cars were displayed in a most viewer-friendly way. Almost all cars could be approached right up to the car.
There were many Museum personal standing around, but I felt that their purposes were to answer questions rather than run-off any disrespectful visitor.
The 917 cars however were set on a 'do not enter' section where one could not freely walk all sides of the cars. One unfortunate consequences of this openness that I did observe was the STUPID behavior that has evolved in many people of dragging one's finger nails along real leather to make a lasting mark just to verify that it really is leather. This was done several places on the leather interior of the original Boxster concept car that was possible to walk right up to.
The heart of any car is the engine and Porsche had several cut away engine displays
Porsche's 12 cylinder 'boxer' 912 engine
The 'stuff' legends are made of. The Porsche 917's
During the lunch hours I found the floor free of the guided groups that comprised of about 10 to 15 people and created a photo shooting challenge, so, although I was in serious need of food, I pressed on to take advantage of the clear shots of the cars without needing to wait for a clear view.
The museum was most relaxed and easy to walk through. There were sections set up to display the years of each of the Porsche generations. Looking at the cars from all angles was easy and unhindered. I could live there.
A very interesting display was a projection on the wall with the outline of the 356 through currant 911 models.
There was a sequential highlighting of each model showing the 'growth of the rear engined line.
1978 Porsche 911 SC Safari with a 1993 Porsche 911 carrera 3.6 Speedster along side
2003 Porsche Carrera GT in front of a 1987 Porsche 911 Street Prepaired GT1
The outrageous 1971 Porsche 917 chassis no.917.20-001 "Pink Pig" along side other equally famous 917's
Once the floor started filling up again and I gave into my hunger.
I found that the restaurant "Christophorus" had closed and I missed my chance to enjoy this unique experience.
I had hoped that after flying across the US from San Francisco, across the Atlantic Ocean, across Europe to Vienna then traveling back through Austria, Switzerland, and halfway across Germany over 18 days to reach Zuffenhausen, that they may hold a table for me.
No they would not let me in.
On the main floor I found the nice Porsche café, the Pitstop Bistro with the typical friendly Porsche employees ready to help.
And yes my lunch was very good also.
Astro Daimler Bergmeister 1932
Porsche 959 1988
Porsche Type 754 T7 1959
There were several studies made to define what was to become the Type 901/911 Porsche. The Type 754 T7 was F.A. Porsche's concept which incorporated a 'high roof' line at the rear to accommodate full-size rear seats. Ferry Porsche said no to this design and F.A smoothed out the roof line creating the iconic 911.
Porsche 718 F2 1960
My time on the floor was 3 to 4 hours and as I was taking photos I did not stop to read the plaques or display signs. My loss also was not having the time or stamina to take advantage of the audio dialogue that was provided. This, for me, would require an additional visit, which was not possible.
Great cars. Great museum. Great people. Great day.
My stay ended at the Museum Gift shop where I picked up a small photo book with pictures and stories of the cars of the museum. Nice trade. I left my book and brought back one of theirs.
Crossing the street I entered the new car dealership and wandered the new models.
And visited a 956, a 911 GT1 and a RS Spyder that were set against the outside window.
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