Hidden in the shadows of the bustling 405 freeway in Carson, California, is a Porsche lover’s playground called the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles (PECLA). Any car enthusiast passing through the area would be wise to stop by the free showroom, featuring about a dozen Porsche sports cars of various vintage and pedigree, or perhaps have a latte at the Speedster Cafe and watch drivers attack the four miles of undulating track.
Various “experiences” can be had at PECLA, depending on your wallet. About a hundred dollars will get you behind a steering wheel with a digital screen, and about four hundred and above will get you behind the steering wheel of an actual Porsche. Your “experience” at PECLA is limited simply by your budget and nerve-but, even an empty wallet will allow you to stroll through the chronologically organized, open-air showroom and peer through the glass and watch mechanics in the workshop maintain Porsche race cars and high-end customer cars.
The “museum” cars rotate frequently, so a visit every couple of months wouldn’t be a bad idea. We especially enjoyed seeing the Rothman’s 911 rally car and the tiny little 718 RS61 next to a bright red Porsche diesel tractor. The staff were extremely helpful, and this is a family friendly stop-provided no little fingers touch the cars. If you are in Southern California and appreciate Porsches, a visit to the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles is a no brainer.
https://www.porschedriving.com/home
(Pictures: Gabriel Trench)