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My girlfriend and I just got back from our week and a half adventure to Europe where we finally met my unicorn!
I don't get to travel much, so this was my first ever trip to Europe. The GT4 was a big splurge for me, so I was a bit overwhelmed with all of the moving parts (there is also a bonus reason I'll get to later). However, my stress was greatly alleviated, as many forum members really helped with the sharing of knowledge, advice, and suggestions. An extra special thanks has to go out to Matttheboatman!
I'm not sure what you'd all like to see (feel free to ask), but I know I've lived vicariously through others on many occassions so this is my attempt to give back and share my experience.
We flew into Stuttgart and started our journey pretty much where the car itself started, at the Mercedes Museum. We saw many AMG GTs on the streets around Merc HQ; the car looks good (especially in matte grey), but awkward at some angles. I think it would make a great DD.
We got their a bit before closing time, so we had most of the museum to ourselves!
Amazing amount of history in this museum. Mercedes does a great job showing just how integral a role their cars have played throughout time. It was interesting to see how they also touched on major events along the way, taking a very objective and unbiased stance on the **** regime.
We took the subway/tram back to the Hotel Schlossgarten and went to sleep early in preparation for tomorrow's big day.
Congrats, did the weather cooperate for the most part during your travels?
I took a week vacation to Europe the week after taking delivery of my GT4. Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. There was some rain but we avoided any really bad weather and it seemed like the season was starting to change.
I bet the people who accost you ask "are you on 'holiday'"
Such is the patois on the other side of the pond
Heh, yup, and they seem confused when I tell them I'm not staying for 4-5 weeks.
Originally Posted by vantage
Congrats, did the weather cooperate for the most part during your travels?
I took a week vacation to Europe the week after taking delivery of my GT4. Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. There was some rain but we avoided any really bad weather and it seemed like the season was starting to change.
We got unlucky weather wise. The temp dropped 15-20 degrees a day before we got there and promptly rose 15-20 once we left.
I'll touch on the weather in upcoming posts as it really plays a factor when I atempt Grossglockner pass, the Nordschliefe, Black Forest, and Spa.
The BIG day finally arrives, I have an espresso and we cab it to Porsche HQ. There are GT3RSs everywhere. Lava is a bit too pastel, I'm not a fan. The purple is awesome. We sit and wait in their customer lounge, I'm offered an espresso and gladly accept.
I spy a GT Silver Spyder with a red interior and a Panamera in a blue I'm unfamiliar with:
My leg is shaking from anticipation...or maybe its because I've had about 5 espressos at this point. Nevertheless, its time for our factory tour. No photos are allowed so I have no pics to share, but I'm really happy I was able to see what goes into our beloved cars.
There are robots running routes, taking parts everywhere thoughout the floor. There are no specialists; all workers are trained in each station and work on all cars. This is done purposely so that they have a sense of pride in their work, knowing the next car could very well be a Cup Car that they could later see racing on TV. Their retention rate for workers is something silly like 99.7%.
We are not allowed to see the marriage room where the engine meets the body because of a 'car that has yet to be announced' is in there. I ask if its a 911R. He smiles and asks what is it we Americans think this car is. I explain (narrow body GT3 with a manual and little aero) and he gives a slightly mischeiveous smile. "I cannot say". I tell him to cough once if I'm right, but I get nothing but another smile. He laughs recanting how in previous times when they've not allowed people in this room, the very car they are hiding is later driving on the campus, so you never know.
Lunch time, we are taken to their customer restaurant with a view of the Porsche sculpture and museum.
A 3 course meal is served with champagne, wine, and yes more espresso (I have a problem). Even the napkin holders are nice:
I barely eat...my mind is elsewhere.
Its now time. I'm greeted by my chaperone and taken to the delivery room.
PTS in all its splendor:
And then. There she is. My unicorn.
My heart flutters. I'm speechless. Its more beautiful than we think from photos. It has tremendous presence unlike any other Cayman. It oozes gravitas. I keep circling her, my girlfriend and the chaperone just staring at me. A few minutes of silence pass, I still can't speak. Its here. All the hard work, the saving, the waiting...its here. Its mine. I can only think of one reaction that my girlfriend captures perfectly:
I sign some paperwork and Porsche loans me a GPS.
With only 16kms on the clock, we set off for the Austrian Alps...
......makes me wish i did european delivery, always thought about it with my M cars, next time i'm definitely going to do it and hopefully it'll be another P car......awesome thread.
10-26-2015, 11:52 PM
European Delivery with my Unicorn!
Its a good one
