Porsche Museum (The)

Description:

• A much-expanded Porsche Museum lets you see around 80 of these legendary cars that trace the history of this highly prized automobile. Ferdinand Porsche set up his own business on Porsche Square in Zuffenhausen in 1931, launching a business that would become world famous for its sporty serial autos and racing cars. Surprisingly, the Volkswagen was also launched here in 1936 and called the "Beetle" or "Rounded Porsche."

  On exhibit are such prizes as the first Porsche-branded car, a Boxster precursor from 1948; as well as the Formula 1 champions of the mid-1980s and the 911 GTI that won the Le Mans competition in 1998. You can also see the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS Coupé from 1964, the first car with a plastic body. That was the same year that the great Porsche 911 was introduced.

  You can also call and make reservations to tour the factory to see how an entire sports car comes together. Gigantic robotic claws lower finished bodies onto drive-trains and chassis, and you'll see how fenders, engines, and dashboards come together to make the 911s or Boxsters.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010