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January 20, 2015
The Mythical Porsches Hidden Away in a Secret Warehouse
Porsche Museum Secrets
The Phantom Porsches Hidden in a Secret Warehouse
Porsche has released a video on its official YouTube channel showcasing its phantom collection. Currently, this series, titled "Porsche Museum Secrets," comprises two parts. It's a series that is sure to capture the attention not only of Porsche fans but of all automotive enthusiasts.
Text by SUZUKI Fumihiko (OPENERS)
The First 911 Turbo Was a Birthday Gift
Stuttgart, a city in southwestern Germany, is where Porsche has its headquarters and also the location of the "Porsche Museum" it operates. This museum is a local tourist attraction, housing 505 historic Porsche cars in the best possible condition, generally roadworthy. However, even with its vast 5,600 square meters of floor space, it's not quite enough to accommodate all 505 vehicles simultaneously.
Therefore, the museum utilizes a warehouse, built in the 1960s, as its storage space. Its location is said to be in the suburbs of Stuttgart, but beyond that, it remains undisclosed.
The two videos, titled "Porsche Museum Secrets," introduce this secret warehouse and the phantom Porsche cars stored within.
On the day of filming, 20 cars were moved from the Porsche Museum.
The car introduced at the end of Part 1 is the first Porsche 911 Turbo. Its owner was Louise Piëch, the eldest daughter of Porsche founder Ferdinand Porsche, sister to Ferry Porsche (designer of the Porsche 356), and mother to Ferdinand Piëch, known for his role as head of technical development for the Audi Ur-Quattro and his significant influence at Volkswagen. The car was a birthday gift to her. As Louise disliked the "Turbo" badge, the rear badge reads "Carrera."
The First 911 Turbo
The badge reads Carrera, not Turbo
Porsche Museum Secrets
Phantom Porsches Hidden in a Secret Warehouse (Part 2)
A Convertible 928 and the Ancestor of the Boxster, Reflecting Their Eras
Part 2 continues, introducing a succession of even more intriguing cars.
The first to appear is the "Porsche 924 World Record Car."
This model was created to break the endurance record held by Mercedes-Benz. Based on the "924," a 2+2 seater front-engine, rear-drive sports car released in 1975, the engine was fitted with an intercooled turbo, and the body was redesigned for improved aerodynamics. The exhaust pipe protruding from the front is also a distinctive feature. Development was reportedly halted in 1976 upon hearing rumors that Mercedes-Benz was developing a higher-performance successor.
Next is the "Porsche 928 Convertible." The "928," launched in 1977, was positioned as a luxury sports car intended to surpass the "911." However, a convertible model was never released. This prototype model possesses proportions so perfect that one would not be surprised if it were said to have been sold.
Following that is the "Porsche 984 'Porsche Junior.'" This model, born in 1984, is the ancestor of the 986-generation "Porsche Boxster."
Porsche 928 Convertible
Porsche 984 "Porsche Junior"
Two Historic Racing Cars
The "906 Ollon-Villars" is a hillclimb-specific model created for the OLLON-VILLARS hillclimb, an event still held in Switzerland. The "906," a racing car debuting in 1966, is also known as the "Carrera 6." The model featured in the video has reportedly remained untouched for about 50 years, preserving its original condition. The scratches on various parts of the body tell tales of its racing past.
The "906" for the Ollon Villars race
The "908" for the Targa Florio race
The "Porsche 908 Targa Florio" is a model for the road race held in Italy from 1906 to 1977. The vehicle shown was reportedly discovered recently and is currently undergoing restoration. It is scheduled to be driven at an event this October.
Concept Car Reflecting the Oil Crisis and an Armored 911
Next is the "FLA Concept Study," a concept model born in 1973, featuring an exterior that resembles a basket. As a model from the era of the oil crisis, it was conceived to be a car that could last 20 to 30 years.
Finally, there's the "996 Armored Prototype." At first glance, it appears to be a standard 996-generation "911 Carrera." However, this fully armored vehicle weighs approximately 3 tons and is, remarkably, still roadworthy.
Porsche may release further videos, Part 3 and 4, on the same channel. What other phantom Porsches will be unveiled? We can only anticipate with excitement.