Porsche celebrates 60 years in the U.S.

The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, has prepared a special exhibit celebrating 60 years of Porsches in the United States.

The exhibit will include a prototype Porsche 356 Speedster, a 356 America Roadster and a 550 Spyder. It will open on Oct. 12 and run until Jan. 9, 2011.

The museum is also publishing a book, "Porsche in America," which will chronicle Porsche's growth in the United States.

Porsche Cars North America has launched two contests to coincide with the opening of the exhibit. The My Classic Porsche Search is looking for the oldest Porsche in America. The My Porsche Passion Contest allows American Porsche owners and fans to write a short essay demonstrating their love for Porsche. For more information visit www.porsche60years.com.

Porsche began importing cars in 1950 after a meeting between Ferdinand Porsche and U.S. car importer Max Hoffman at the 1950 Paris Motor Show. The two agreed to import 15 Porsche 356s, which arrived in October.

Since then the U.S. market has grown to be Porsche's most valuable market, says the German automaker.

By Brad Constant