Stuttgart, Home of the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz

Germany is synonymous with the purr of finely engineered motors and the sheen of polished chrome. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen all emerged from this central European country, and Stuttgart lays claim to being the origin of two such highly regarded automobile manufacturers.

Car enthusiasts will want to spend at least a couple days in the cutting edge state of Baden-Warttemberg to gawk at the enviable, antique vehicle collections on display at the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museums. Stuttgart is Germany's sixth largest city and boasts a history that dates back to the first century AD. Mercedes-Benz' plant can be found in the western suburb of Unterturkheim, and Porsche's headquarters is located in the northern Zuffenhausen neighborhood. These much coveted automotive giants each have their museums stationed nearby the respective factories, which are ultra-modern architectural masterpieces in and of themselves.

Spectacularly perched and supported atop three massive, angular support beams, the Porsche Museum was completed in 2008. The futuristic-looking structure houses a continuously alternating collection of drool-worthy, vintage Porsches. There will be a special exhibition featuring 50 Years of the Porsche 911 on display beginning June 4th, 2013 running through September 29th. Almost three times the size of the Porsche Museum, the Mercedes-Benz Museum magnificently spotlights 125 years of automotive history throughout its nine intertwining levels. The building design was inspired by the form of a DNA double helix; its layout mind-bogglingly twists, not two but three tiers around a triangular-shaped atrium. With over 1500 exhibits and 160 vehicles on display, visitors are transported back in time as they slowly spiral their way through galleries highlighting the world's very first motorized vehicles to the bottom level of the museum where the modern-day Mercedes-Benz awaits its recognition. image of 1968 Porsche 911 courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

While it is possible to tour the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plants, reservations are mandatory, and sometimes these need to be made up to a year in advance. After feasting your eyes on such exquisite examples of history's top-of-the-line automobiles, you'll likely be pining to get behind the wheel of a luxury or sports car in Stuttgart and ready to hit the autobahn. Auto Europe can make this happen! Simply call us toll-free at 1-888-223-5555 (U.S.) or make your specialty vehicle booking online.