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June 8, 2015
The "Inner Sanctum" of the Porsche Museum Opens | Porsche
Porsche Museum "Project: Top Secret!"
Porsche Museum "Project: Top Secret!"
The Porsche Museum's "Inner Sanctum" Opens
The "Porsche Museum" in Stuttgart, Germany, the home of Porsche headquarters. Until now, its precious collection of models has been revealed online asPorsche Museum Secrets"secret warehouse." Now, a special exhibition, "Project: Top Secret!," is being held to showcase for the first time in the world a more treasured collection, including prototypes and concept cars created during development. This is a rare opportunity to see them in person, not just online.
Text by TAKEDA Horomi
Models Reflecting Their Times
The "Porsche Museum," established by Porsche AG at its Stuttgart headquarters, has been an extremely popular spot for Porsche enthusiasts and general tourists alike since its renewed opening in January 2009.
At this Porsche Museum, "Project: Top Secret!," held for a limited time from September 17, 2014, offers a glimpse behind previously closed doors. This special exhibition features 16 unique vehicles, including one-off record, test, and experimental vehicles that have rarely been shown to the public, as well as secret concept cars and camouflaged prototypes.
As the official company name "Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG" suggests, Porsche, whose core lies in development, research, and precision work, has produced numerous ambitious experimental vehicles and concept cars. Naturally, the vast majority of these were created in secret at the Weissach development center and dismantled after the completion of their respective projects, without ever being publicly revealed.
However, vehicles born from the most important or exciting projects among them were selected for the Porsche Museum's collection. Now, as part of this special exhibition, a selection of these has been made available for public viewing from the museum's archives.
The 16 vehicles displayed in this special exhibition reflect the historical context of their respective development periods.
For example, created as a response to the energy crisis of 1973 was the environmentally friendly and forward-looking "FLA Sustainable Car Research Project." Also on display are experimental vehicles of the "Type 924" and "Type 995" that set world records. From the 1980s, seven models are exhibited, including the "959 Aerodynamic Prototype," the "928 Cabriolet," and the "Roadster Type 984 Concept" which was stored without ever being shown. Furthermore, the "965 Prototype" with a rear-mounted water-cooled V8 engine will also be unveiled for the first time.
From the 1990s, various projects that did not reach mass production will be exhibited, including the four-door Porsche "989 Family Sports Car," which is thought to be the precursor to the later Panamera.
Other exhibits include the "Type 986 A4 Subframe," a mid-engine concept for the Boxster family based on the "964 Targa," and, more recently, a camouflaged prototype of the "Panamera."
Additionally, as a future technology, the918 Spyder'srolling chassiswill also be introduced, representing the latest themes such as hybrid technology.
The exhibition runs until January 11, 2015. For dedicated Porsche fans, sometimes called "Porschephiles," this is a special exhibition that might lead to lifelong regret if not visited within this period.