Porsche 911/718 Factory tour in Zuffenhausen & Museum visit

[vintage_tube]

Returned recently from a 10-day vacation to visit old friends in Stuttgart Germany and take in the Christmas Market in Nuremberg, make a trip to the Neuschwanstein Castle (aka Disney) and return to the Stuttgart outlying area.

During the visit, I made an attempt to join a Porsche 911/718 Factory Tour at the Zuffenhausen facility followed up with a Museum visit. Zuffenhausen remains the only facility where ALL 911/718's and the new Taycan are built.

The day of the next English-speaking tour & without a confirmed slot, I was told to arrive 3 hours early and our intentions would be noted on a standby list for no show/cancellations within the allotted 15 slots.

The wife and I showed up about 3 hours early, made our presence known for standby and spent the time admiring the presentations & cars within the museum. It's immaculate and well laid out -- plenty of room to drop your jaw and read the placards of the cars on display.

As the time approached for the tour, there were 5 slots available and the wife & I were given lanyards, earphones and receiving devices & joined the other 10 tourers.

The factory is immaculate and extremely clean and were taken to every station except for the marriage of chassis and body as the factory was introducing prototypes in that line. The motor build area was interesting in that it takes 5 hours to build a 911/718 in 78 stations. Engines were rolling within a foot of our walkway on robot trollies. Don't touch.

We saw several 911 GT3 RS's being built - a black and a very pretty yellow.

Upon completion of the 2-hour tour, the wife and I revisited the museum and spent another couple hours walking about. I could have spent all day in the museum - it's that interesting.

If you ever make it to the Stuttgart area, the Porsche factory visit (if a slot is available or sign up years ahead to schedule a tour & definitely visit the museum (same area). A memory & bucket list item for sure.

Enjoy the photos.

[Fbgbill]

After nagging my wife for years she finally agreed to my purchasing a Porsche 911. I kept it for 4 years and sold it for almost what I paid for it. Loved it and hated to sell it but I did.

[Puma Cat]

I loved Porsches since I first saw Carrera 6's racing at Cotati Raceway in the 60's (yes! Cotati Raceway)

Here's a photo of a GT2 RS I shot while on, of all things, a Real Estate photography assignment.

[vintage_tube]

I knew I left out one photo. Hey, who wouldn't? It was in an unlimited speed zone (notice the white "end of all speed limit restriction" circle - bottom left). The new Audi A3 had a maximum safe 210KMPH sticker on the left dashboard -- I followed the rental car companies recommendation.

Bob

IMG_2809.jpg

[clpetersen]

Nice! (200 km/h).
We picked up a BMW in Munich (Muenchen) a few years ago - also a marvelous factory tour. Drove around for two weeks but had a speed limit (warranty reasons) of just 160 km/h

[KahunaCanuck]

Did the tour in 2019 and saw 992 test mules on the autobahn as well. If you call your dealer ahead of time they can arrange for tour tickets...as mentioned, it's a great tour!

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Fbgbill

After nagging my wife for years she finally agreed to my purchasing a Porsche 911. I kept it for 4 years and sold it for almost what I paid for it. Loved it and hated to sell it but I did.

Beautiful – before I pass, I’ll own a Porsche 911 of some variation – won’t be a 911 GT3RS – but a 911 nevertheless.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Here's a photo of a GT2 RS I shot while on, of all things, a Real Estate photography assignment.

Stephen – your photography is above reproach Sir,

Originally Posted by clpetersen

Nice! (200 km/h). We picked up a BMW in Munich (Muenchen) a few years ago - also a marvelous factory tour. Drove around for two weeks but had a speed limit (warranty reasons) of just 160 km/h

The Army Recreation Center had BMW Factory tours arranged and was scheduled with a date/time – then the Liberation of Kuwait got in the way. Never made it of course --

Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck

Did the tour in 2019 and saw 992 test mules on the autobahn as well. If you call your dealer ahead of time they can arrange for tour tickets...as mentioned, it's a great tour!

Slots are hard to come by but the last stage in production, the car is placed on a carousel and photographed/video’d as it’turning & available to the new owner.

Bob

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Stephen – your photography is above reproach Sir,

–Bob

Thanks, Bob. That photo did really well in formal competition in my photo critique group, as well. I think it scored a "90", IIRC.