Trainspotting In Stuttgart

The tram/train system in Stuttgart is fantastic. A fast web of routes and transfer points will get you anywhere you want to go. Of course, the system actually needs to be running while you are there. We lucked out repeatedly trying to ride the rails during a mini work stoppage strike, a no-service window of a few hours or so. Ah, well.

Outside rec area near the tracks.

Primary colors station and  train.

Off-kilter ad.

Pigeon-proof spikes and waiting.

Visiting The Porsche Museum

If Mercedes Benz is the heavy transportation manufacturer of Stuttgart, Porsche is the speedy one. Fewer vehicles, more oomph. Their museums reflect this philosophy, with Mercedes building a massive temple to its history, while Porsche has a smaller space that feels zippier, like its cars.

Right across the street is the Porsche factory. "Get your fresh Porsches here!"

Inside the museum, speeding through Porsche history.

The 365, featuring a shape that would morph onto Porsche's signature car, the 911. Two more 911 signature features, bright 1970s color schemes and the Whale Tail rear spoiler.

Porsche 956, aka, James Dean Death Car.

A couple of silly versions, Polizei you won't out-run and a mock up of a Porsche featured in the movie Cars.

Another movie star-related Porsche, the 928 that Tom Cruise dunked in Risky Business.

From the Porsche design shop, a bit of mock-up history, complete with goofy graffiti.

Taking Cover In Stuttgart

When fall comes to Stuttgart, it's time to take cover. Specifically, take the cover and throw it on whatever you may have in your yard.

Garden box? Sandbox? Whatever you've got, add a cover.

Blue tarps seem to be in vogue, to preserve your little slice of heaven.

Have a big construction debris pile? Cover it!

Whether you have a mini garden with vine bar or a sandbox, fall comes and it's time to seek cover.

This garden is all about the temporary winter structures.

Stuttgart City Details

Clean lines and attention to detail define Stuttgart. Time to see some examples.

A mini garden on top of a utility box - seriously!

Careful excavations. Truck at the end of an alley.

Lawn furniture.

Hidden trash bin. Hidden highway overpasses.

Ivy driveway dividing wall.

Special Purpose Vehicles At The Mercedes-Benz Museum

In the United States, we tend to think of Mercedes as a luxury car company. In reality, Mercedes is more than willing to tackle anything that moves. Cars, buses, utility vehicles, an airplane or two. You need to haul something, chances are Mercedes-Benz has pondered how best to move it. The museum had some fun examples of these special-purpose vehicles.

A convertible for a princess, Diana. She eventually had to return the car after the purchase created an uproar over buying foreign German over something home English. Alas, Jaguar or Rolls Royce were better options.

The Pope mobile.

Two buses, an early, proper English model and a bright, snazzy example from Latin America.

A custom-made hauler for race cars.

And plenty of race cars to haul. Before the wireless, computer age, Mercedes used this trail vehicle to gather test information by way of cables between the two vehicles.

Don't worry, Mercedes can be with you right up until you die. And after!

Ogling The Automobiles At The Mercedes-Benz Museum

The Mercedes-Benz museum could easily seem indulgent and a crass attempt at corporate propaganda if it weren't for the high quality of the product they're promoting. The vehicles deliver.

A gallery of early 20th century motoring masterpieces.

Who couldn't make a grand entrance in this blue baby? Early example of the iconic symbol.

An interior, outrageous attention to design and detail. Oh, why are we cursed with black vinyl and fake woodgrain?

Post-war expansion into India, as if it ever looks so sedate. New offerings for the autobahn age.

The lineup gets sleek. The vehicle in the foreground is pure red, not some goofy 60s sunburst (although, kind of cool). The spot-lighting played tricks on photo exposure.

No Mercedes history would be true without a Gullwing on display. A 60s color palette wheel, great, understated colors.

A turbodiesel wagon. Nondescript, but for a family connection.

Let's Go To The Mercedes-Benz Museum

Talk about a temple to engineering and our modern world. The Mercedes museum isn't some sort of hangar with a bunch of old cars crammed into it. The building itself is a cool, efficient architectural statement, emulating its contents. Call it Mercedes myth-making.

Hi-tech entrance.

A lineup of current Mercedes products stand guard out front. The five horse(power) of the apocalypse?

Future Mercedes owner? If the company has anything to do with it... At the beginning of the tour, Mercedes leaving little doubt what they were trying to best.

The inside atrium with pod elevators. The future is now!

Stamp dyes of the famous three point star symbol. Easily transferred to baked goods at the restaurant, no opportunity for corporate identity preening missed.

Finally, a vehicle! The first Mercedes cars.

Next, more Mercedes, much more.