Porsche by Design: Seducing Speed marks the North Carolina Museum of Art’s first design exhibition, exploring the history and development of the Porsche lineage from the 1930s to the present day. Featuring 22 automobiles, Porsche by Design presents cars owned by Ralph Lauren, Steve McQueen, and Janis Joplin, as well as the one-of-a-kind Panamericana concept car on loan from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Cars in an art museum? Before you start making jokes about the South you need to realize these are works of art and science – not NASCAR. A modern-day collaborative design not unlike an exhibit of Leonardo Da Vinci’s machines except he didn’t build anything that would top 200 MPH. The exhibit includes a one-of-a-kind Type 64 Berlin-Rom Racer (1938), Type 356 Gmund Coupe (1949), a Type 911 GT3 Hybrid Race Car Prototype (2010) and many more unique and stunning vehicles including the 1965 Porsche Cabriolet owned by Janis Joplin (the only car you can’t photograph).

The exhibit is well done and the displays are definitely more artwork than car show. My personal favorite was the Type 356C Carrera Coupe (1964) but if you are buying the 911 Sport Class Carrera (2010) was a close second. Both silver, both that shape you expect from a Porsche and both likely unattainable unless NOSVC starts making a lot more money than it does today.

This is a must see before January 20, 2014 when I am guessing all the cars will slowly drive off into the sunset. Or be hand carried and crated like the works of art they are. I am told some nights the hoods will be open and I hope to get there to see one of those. You might want to download the audio tour files prior to visiting or at least bookmark this page for easy access.

This first set of pics was a bit rushed – we stopped by quickly for a member’s preview. I do look forward to going back and taking a couple of lenses and getting some more and better shots.