What is the Wunderground?

The Wunderground in Santa Clarita brings together a significant collection of rare and special vehicles from across the United States to help tell the Porsche story in a spectacular display. Immerse yourself in Porsche history and learn how the Porsche family and their team of designers and engineers developed their iconic style from 1948 to today. The star-studded display will feature significant firsts and best from throughout the brand’s history, but also iconic favorites driven by Porsche personalities such as Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, alongside victorious racing vehicles that prove Porsche’s impressive competition successes. Explore this space, learn about the marque’s irrefutable history, drive one of its glorious machines, and fall in love with the life of a Porsche owner.

Read our latest articles about Wunderground.

Click the image of each media company to be directed to the article. 

Owner: Jerry Seinfeld Award-Winning Actor, Comedian & World-Renowned Porsche Collector

The mid-engine 550 Spyder was the first production Porsche specially developed for racing. The aluminum body and tube-frame chassis reduced weight while the 110-horsepower four-cam flat-4 engine gave race-winning performance. Porsche also utilized wind tunnel testing to perfect the shape of the Spyder and improve airflow. The 550 was an overall success on the track, finishing first on its first race outing at Nürburgring in 1953, and taking class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and Carrera Panamericana.

Owner: Courtesy of Emory Motorsports/Camerican Healy Collection

Specially prepared for the 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans, this vehicle was Porsche’s first factory entry into an international race, placing first in the 1.1 liter class and 19th overall. Approximately fifty 356 Gmünd coupes were built in 1949, eleven of which were assembled after the factory returned to Germany and converted to aluminum-bodied, Sport Light (SL) versions with racing specifications. In late 1951, this car was one of several SLs shipped to the United States, where it was sold to prominent Southern California Porsche dealer Johnny Von Neumann, who raced it for many years as a cabriolet. After extensive research, it was restored to Le Mans specification by noted fabricator Emory Motorsports.

Owner: Adam Carolla

Beginning in 1976, the 911-based 935 was Porsche’s Group 5 (“Silhouette” car) entry for the World Championship for Makes. The 935 dominated the racing scene, having much succes as a factory racer as well as a privateer entry. Actor and director Paul Newman, along with co-drivers Dick Barbour and Rolf Stommelen, drove this 935 to a class win and second-place-overall finish at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans race. After its successful outing at Le Mans the car went on to campaign in 71 other races, including a win at the 1981 24 Hours of Daytona and the 1983 12 Hours of Sebring.

Owner: Tom Haacker

This classic racer was co-owned by actor Paul Newman and Bill Freeman of Newman Freeman Racing. Newman and Freeman participated in a number of professional races, with Newman winning four Sports Car Club of America (S.C.C.A.) championships and finishing second overall at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans race. This car was primarily used by Newman Freeman Racing for private testing sessions at Riverside, Willow Springs, and Phoenix International Raceways. It was also driven in S.C.C.A. and Porsche Club events throughout the 1980’s. Today it has been accurately restored to its original racing condition.

Owner: Courtesy of Porsche Santa Clarita

Jointly developed with Volkswagen under Porsche’s leadership, the Cayenne was Porsche’s first-ever Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Introduced for the 2003 model year, the Cayenne was an extremely modern concept of a sports car, having inherited much from its racy two-seater cousins. It is well equipped for extreme terrain, and can comfortably accommodate five people along with their luggage. The market launch started with the Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo for the 2003 model year. Since then, Porsche has introduced the V6 base model Cayenne, as well as the Hybrid which launched in 2010.

Owner: Janus Associates LLC

In 1970, the 911 S 2.2 became the base model for most of Porsche’s rally and competition cars. Internally known as the “ST”, the racing 911s differed slightly from production models to decrease their overall weight, utilizing thin-gauge sheet metal in parts of the body and removing various components. This particular example was a Werks racing car and a factory support car.  It was prepared for the 1970 Austrian Alps Rally, where drivers Björn Waldegård and Lars Helmer would drive it to its first victory in its maiden competition outing. It was then used as a service car by Jürgen Barth and driven with much success by driver Gérard Larrousse.

Porsche Design Boutique

Porsche Santa Clarita is the first exclusive Porsche Center in California to carry the entire Porsche Design Collection. We carry Porsche fashion and sportswear, eye-wear, timepieces, bags & luggage, electronics, and accessories.

Porsche Driver’s Selection Boutique

We offer an extensive selection of high-quality accessories for your Porsche lifestyle. From clothing, home/office items, toys, model cars, and audio equipment to limited edition watches, our lifestyle and vehicle accessories are designed for Porsche drivers and enthusiasts of all ages.