Pop art on wheels: a Porsche 928 Art Car for charity

A man from Switzerland buys an early 1978 Porsche 928 in Spain. On the way home, his dream is shattered: engine failure. The car is taken to Stuttgart, where the engine is completely overhauled, the underbody and wheel arches are cleaned with dry ice, the interior is removed, and the bodywork is to be repainted – but the specialist closes his workshop due to his age. In this intermediate state, the 928 ends up at Boxer Motor in Dotternhausen near Stuttgart. Christoph Schlagenhauf takes over, even though more than 60,000 euros have already been invested and it is clear to everyone that this rebuild will not pay off. The reason? He wants to turn it into a Porsche 928 art car: “I always wanted to have a car painted in the spirit of Andy Warhol and Janis Joplin.”

A paused project that was on the verge of being abandoned is being turned into a charitable work of art. This Porsche 928 art car will be auctioned off on November 18, 2025, at the Classic Expo in Salzburg via Humer & Granner, with proceeds going to Kinderkrebshilfe Tübingen e. V. Of course, the art car will also roll out with the appropriate license plate for the good cause: A – RT 928H.

The background

“The Swiss customer knew that it no longer made economic sense,” says Christoph Schlagenhauf. “But I couldn’t shake the idea of turning this 928 into something unique that would help others. It was clear to us that we would turn it into a charitable project, as the market for Porsche 928s does not yield what had been invested.” The decision was made quickly: Boxer Motor took over the car, made it mechanically sound, put the interior back together, replaced the seals and perfected the underbody.

All that was missing was the right artist. “We asked our friend Christian Rott if he would like to participate in the project,” explains Schlagenhauf. The pop art artist agreed without hesitation. Part of the painting was created directly in the workshop, and another part was painted live in front of an audience in spring at the Retro Classics in Stuttgart.

It was clear to us that we would turn it into a charitable project, as the market for Porsche 928s does not yield what had been invested.

Christoph Schlagenhauf, Boxer Motor

The canvas: a 1978 Porsche 928

The Porsche 928, especially in its first iteration, is considered an automotive milestone. As the first transaxle Porsche, it featured a front-mounted 4.5-liter V8 engine and rear transmission, ushering Porsche into a new era. It was the only sports car ever to be named European Car of the Year. At the end of the 1970s, the 928 was considered a futuristic Gran Turismo, with very clean lines, especially in the first series without spoilers. Discreet, muscular – calm, flowing surfaces that literally cry out for color. In short: this car is the ideal canvas for pop art!

Fittingly, the interior of the Porsche 928 Art Car is decked out with some wild Pascha-inspired touches. The door panels and seat center panels, with their psychedelic seat pattern, are real eye-catchers. They’re framed by an exciting mix of black and green plastic parts and green carpet. So, even inside, the 928 is a perfect canvas for pop art references.

The transformation into the Porsche 928 Art Car – attraction through contrasts

In the world of art, pop art stands for contemporary motifs related to consumer society. It is often executed colorful and with very clear outlines, similar to the style of classic comics. A complete contrast to the 928’s technocratic, timeless design. The golden 8-spoke wheels in Minilite style set the tone: instead of subtle finesse, the 928 now wears jewelry – not pretentiously, but with a wink.

Renowned artist Christian Rott decorated the dream car of the 1970s with an incredible number of distinctive motifs. Batman kicks things off on the hood, flanked by an emphatic POW! – a comic book catchphrase that packs the energy of the V8 into a speech bubble. Tag Heuer draws the bridge to motorsport, while the Michelin Man smiles and promises traction. A few inches further on is Snoopy, with his yellow companion Woodstock sitting on top of him.

That’s just the beginning. Tweety sits lurking at the transition to the fender, as if he has already found the perfect line. Nearby, you can spot Peter Griffin and Family Guy colleague Quagmire – characters who seem like references to our media-saturated present. The contrasts between the technocratic, serious 928 and the playful art create attraction through deliberate opposites.

Comic characters, cigarette advertising, sponsor logos known from racing

Every surface of the aerodynamic “land shark” is covered with numerous small works of art. Classic and modern comic characters are lined up alongside cigarette advertisements and logos of well-known motorsport brands. Champion and Magneti Marelli meet Mickey Mouse, Kermit the Frog, Popeye, Elmo, Gulf and Motul.

The result is a tour that is never the same. Every time you walk around the car, something new catches your eye. The paintwork is the stage – and it opens up in all directions: film, television, advertising, comics, motorsport. Pop art as a living collage. Small details such as Woody Woodpecker on the hub caps, who looks as if he is pecking at the apex with his beak. The various motifs inevitably give the impression that they are talking to and with each other.

Boxer Motor’s Porsche 928 Art Car is not just for show, but also technically sound

Beneath the artistry beats a thoroughly refurbished heart. The V8 from Stuttgart has been completely overhauled, and the underbody has been refreshed with dry ice. “When the new owner in Salzburg turns the key, they should feel that they are driving a car that has been professionally repaired,” emphasizes Schlagenhauf. New seals, a freshly reupholstered interior in the original material, carefully adjusted mechanics – this 928 Art Car is not a museum piece, but a driving statement.

When the new owner in Salzburg turns the key, they should feel that they are driving a car that has been professionally repaired

Christoph Schlagenhauf, Boxer Motor

Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and Chupa Chups join forces for Children’s Cancer Aid

On the right-hand side, Bart Simpson joins Lisa – two generations of a series that depicts growing up and rebellion as everyday occurrences. Scrooge McDuck peeks around the corner, as if to ask what true value is: material investment or a good cause. Bugs Bunny and Superman crown the page: cleverness and ideals – both are needed to turn a failed restoration into a shining project.

Batman in one corner, the Muppets here, Sesame Street there… Kermit watches over the scene from the roof – as if someone had mirrored the interior color scheme upwards. It is precisely this kind of connection that gives the collage its structure: repetitions, reflections, little anchors for the eye – interspersed with a web of memories and winks. Memories of Saturday morning cartoons, of advertising posters in the cityscape.

Schlagenhauf wanted to work with Christian Rott to transform the material contribution into attention, joy, and help. The choice fell on Kinderkrebshilfe Tübingen e. V., a charity that does valuable work for seriously ill children very close to Boxer Motor. The auction house Humer & Granner waived all auction fees for the auction on November 18 at Classic Expo Salzburg – a rare harmony of idealism and professionalism.

In Salzburg, the Porsche 928 Art Car will probably serve as an ice breaker as well as a charity project

It is this context that gives pop art on the car body a second level of meaning. The brand logos are not merely advertising quotes, they become mediators: they also appeal to people who are not particularly interested in cars but who grew up with pop icons. They open up a conversation about value and values – and ultimately about the importance of helping others.

When the car goes under the hammer in Salzburg, the first thing you will see are the colorful motifs. Then the license plate. And finally, the people behind it: the Swiss man who never gave up, the specialists at Boxer Motor, and the artist Christian Rott. The car remains a Porsche 928, but it will help bring some joy to children with such sad fates.