A confessed automobile sentimentalist, I believe that every auto manufacturer with a recordable family tree should maintain a museum featuring the most significant cars of its legacy. Considering that Professor Ferdinand Porsche began influencing the fledgling industry at the start of the 20th century, one wonders what took the company so long.

But, finally, there exists a Porsche Museum, due to open on January 31st, 2009. The building itself is an architectural statement along the lines of "love it or hate it." An artistic construct of M.C. Escher, the Porsche museum's exterior plays tricks with the eye. Geometrically haphazard from some angles and beautifully precise from others, the building's aesthetic changes depending on where you view it.

Or so say the Porsche press releases.

Of more importance to car fans is the building's content. In Porsche's words: "About 80 vehicles and many small exhibits will be on display at the new Porsche Museum in a unique ambience. In addition to world-famous iconic vehicles such as the 356, 550, 911, and 917, the exhibits include some of the outstanding technical achievements of Professor Ferdinand Porsche." For European travelers and those fortunate to visit Europe in these troubled times, the Porsche Museum is worth a visit. Highly unlikely, however, that you'll see a film comprised of race footage taken by the Porsche family, the editing of which was my first assignment on joining VW/Porsche Canada in 1959.

For a sneak preview, please visit the UK's Car Magazine site.