Going to Germany?

I just added the Automuseum Protyp Hamburg to my bucket list of places to visit in Germany. From their page:

Since 2008, Automuseum PROTOTYP presents on approx. 2,500 m² rare sports and racing cars from 70 years of automotive history. On display in the carefully modernized factory building are prototypes – well, but not only prototypes. Also, the museum looks at itself as a “prototype” for the concept of the exhibition which is experience-oriented, interactive and multimedia. To allow a sensitive look, the valuable cars are displayed without barrage.

The German term “Personen. Kraft. Wagen.” (English: Persons. Power. Cars.) is associated with the common German abbreviation “PKW” for a passenger car and thus creating the well chosen motto of the museum, as it not only presents seldom historic vehicles, but also gives an interesting insight into the lives of those Persons who made the automobile sport great. Another issue is the Power (in German “Kraft”), be it as the power of the engines, as the creativity of the designs or as the desire to win a race. The Cars (in German “Wagen”) on display – from self-built cars of the early post-war period to prototypes of modern Formula 1 cars – give an impression of the fascination of this subject in different facets.

More information HERE.

“Le Mans” crash

Without a doubt, I’m here today because of Steve McQueen’s “Le Mans”. I think I first watched it in 1976 or 77, and the film really marked me. It’s the sole reason why I love so much the 917K and why I like Porsches in general. And the same reason why Ferrari will never be my favorite brand – the 512S was not the “hero car” .

Mostly filmed during the 1970 Le Mans race and released in 1971, you just can’t compare the quality of the film to something modern. But back then, Michael Delaney’s crash really impressed the kid that I was:

Now I know that my beloved 917K was not harmed, since they used a Lola T70 GT Mk. III disguised as Delaney’s Porsche. Seems like even back then a 917K was much more expensive then a T70. But that film was what got me interested in race cars and Le Mans in general.

Think I’ll have to watch it again