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To mark its first anniversary, Curvistan Bangkok – a creative hub celebrating automotive culture and design – is unveiling a new special exhibition called Raceborn. At the heart of the showcase is a true motorsport legend: the Porsche 956 LH, which has been transported all the way from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart to Thailand.
Founded in 2024 by Stefan Bogner, creator of Curves magazine, and Chanond Ruangkritya, a Thai real estate developer and Porsche collector, Curvistan Bangkok has quickly become a cultural hotspot in the region. Located in the vibrant Thong Lo district, the venue combines a gallery, café and experience space for automotive and design enthusiasts. With support from Porsche Asia Pacific and Porsche Thailand, Curvistan has established itself as a unique destination in Southeast Asia.
The new exhibition, Raceborn, celebrates Porsche as a brand born on the racetrack – with a centerpiece that embodies this spirit: the Porsche 956 LH, bearing the starting number one. It is there on special loan from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, exclusively for the exhibition. This exact car was driven by Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell to a commanding victory at the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking the dawn of the Group C era.
Porsche 956 LH in an unexpected setting
Before being installed in the exhibition, the Curvistan team had the rare opportunity to photograph the 956 LH at iconic locations around Bangkok. The resulting images capture a striking contrast between Southeast Asian traditions and the engineering excellence of Weissach.
“It’s not often that a racing car with such history is seen in Thailand – or anywhere in Asia,” says Bogner. “The response on the streets of Bangkok was overwhelming. The Southeast Asian Porsche community is incredibly passionate, and seeing the 956 in the flesh was a dream come true for many.”
The 956 was not only fast, but also efficient – perfectly tailored to the new Group C regulations, which emphasised intelligent fuel usage over sheer horsepower. Weighing just 840 kilograms and powered by a 620 PS twin-turbo flat-six engine, it was a technical masterpiece.
The project leader of the 956 development was Norbert Singer, one of the most influential engineers in Porsche motorsport history. Singer shaped the brand’s DNA over decades with his brilliant engineering.
A Nürburgring record in 1983
One of the most spectacular achievements came in 1983, when Stefan Bellof set the fastest lap ever recorded on the Nürburgring Nordschleife: six minutes and 11.13 seconds. This record stood for an astonishing 35 years, until Timo Bernhard broke it with the electrified 919 Evo.
In addition to the 956 LH, Curvistan Bangkok features other racing highlights, including a 911 GT3 R from the FIA World Endurance Championship, a 911 GT3 with Manthey Racing enhancements, and a 911 Carrera (992.2) with a special livery inspired by the 956 LH – a tribute to the golden era of Group C racing.