Performance car section – An astonishing addition of the GD museums

Off late, in October 2025, the GD Museums, that stands as one of the landmarks of the Manchester of South India – Coimbatore, because of the Indian Edison ‘GD Naidu’, has made one of a kind section in the car museum for Performance cars.
The inauguration event took place on October 17, 2025 in the gracious presence of Dr P.T.R Palanivel Thiagarajan, Minister of Information technology and Digital Services, Shri. Pawankumar G. Giriyappanavar IAS, District Collector – Coimbatore, Dr B.K Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, Chairman Emeritus Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Mr. Ramin Saleikhou, Vice President of FIVA, Mr. Gowtham Sen, FIVA Advisory committee, including other dignitaries alongside.
Read about the inauguration and FIVA Hall of FAME 2025 events here.
Now, this blog is about what is in store for you in the new performance car section and why you should visit this?

Icons on Display: Highlights of the Performance Car Section
One of the biggest attractions of the new Performance Car Section is its carefully selected lineup of globally celebrated performance automobiles. Each car on display
represents a distinct philosophy of speed, luxury, innovation, and engineering excellence.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster embodies British elegance blended with raw performance. With its naturally aspirated V8 engine and sculpted design, this roadster represents a perfect balance between luxury and motorsport DNA. It stands as a symbol of handcrafted precision and timeless automotive beauty.

Lotus Emira
The Lotus Emira showcases the brand’s legendary focus on lightweight engineering and driver-centric performance. Designed to deliver razor-sharp handling and pure driving pleasure, the Emira reflects Lotus’ motorsport heritage while embracing modern design and technology.

Rolls-Royce Spectre
Redefining performance in silence, the Rolls-Royce Spectre marks a historic shift towards electric luxury. It demonstrates that performance is not only about speed but also about refinement, innovation, and effortless power. The Spectre represents the future of ultra-luxury motoring.

Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 is celebrated for its unique rotary engine, a rare engineering marvel in automotive history. With its high-revving nature and balanced chassis, the RX-8 highlights Mazda’s bold approach to innovation and unconventional performance engineering.

Porsche Boxster (986)
The Porsche Boxster 986 introduced mid-engine balance to a wider audience. Known for its precise handling and iconic Porsche engineering, this roadster exemplifies how performance and everyday usability can coexist seamlessly.

BMW Z4 (E89)
The BMW Z4 E89 blends sporty dynamics with refined luxury. Its aggressive styling, turbocharged performance, and driver-focused cockpit reflect BMW’s philosophy of creating machines that are as thrilling to drive as they are elegant to behold.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 230 (R170)
A pioneer in compact luxury roadsters, the SLK 230 introduced the revolutionary vario-roof folding hardtop. With supercharged performance and innovative design, it represents Mercedes-Benz’s approach to combining technology, comfort, and sportiness.

Toyota MR-S
The Toyota MR-S (also known as the MR2 Spyder) emphasizes lightweight construction and pure driving engagement. Its mid-engine layout and minimalist philosophy make it a true driver’s car, celebrating balance over brute force.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder
A true supercar icon, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder delivers breathtaking performance paired with unmistakable Italian design. Its V10 engine, all-wheel drive system, and open-top experience represent Lamborghini’s uncompromising pursuit of excitement.

Ford Mustang S550
The Ford Mustang S550 is a global symbol of American muscle. With its powerful engine options and bold styling, it bridges classic muscle car heritage with modern performance engineering, appealing to enthusiasts across generations.

Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli brings Italian flair to the performance luxury sedan segment. Combining sporty dynamics with executive comfort, it showcases Maserati’s ability to infuse emotion, sound, and style into everyday performance.

Ferrari 599 GTB
At the pinnacle of the section stands the Ferrari 599 GTB—a masterpiece of performance engineering. Powered by a V12 engine and inspired by Ferrari’s racing pedigree, the 599 GTB represents uncompromised speed, precision, and passion.

A destination for performance enthusiasts
Together, these cars form a powerful narrative—spanning continents, eras, and philosophies of performance. The Performance Car Section at GD Museums is not just a display of extraordinary machines; it is an educational and inspirational space that celebrates innovation, craftsmanship, and the relentless human desire to push boundaries.
For visitors, this section offers a rare opportunity to witness some of the world’s most admired performance cars under one roof—making it a must-visit destination for automobile enthusiasts, students, and curious minds alike.

Coimbatore’s Racing Legacy: Where Performance Was Built, Not Imported
Beyond global performance icons, the new Performance Car Section proudly acknowledges Coimbatore’s own racing heritage—a legacy forged not in glossy factories, but in workshops, garages, and race tracks by passionate engineers and racers.
Often called the motorsport cradle of South India, Coimbatore has long been home to skilled fabricators, mechanics, and innovators who built custom race cars locally and proved their mettle on Indian racing circuits. Long before performance cars became mainstream, machines born in this city were already competing, evolving, and winning.

Custom-built machines that made history
The section highlights the era when:
⭐ Cars were designed, modified, and assembled in Coimbatore
⭐ Engines were tuned by hand
⭐ Chassis were fabricated locally
⭐ Performance was achieved through ingenuity rather than imported technology

These custom-built racing cars reflect a time when passion and engineering skill mattered more than brand names. They stand as a testament to Coimbatore’s unmatched technical talent and its deep-rooted connection to motorsport.

Racing spirit powered by innovation
From hill climbs to circuit racing, cars built in Coimbatore have participated in—and shaped—India’s early racing culture. This legacy strongly echoes the philosophy of GD Naidu, whose belief in hands-on experimentation and indigenous innovation laid the foundation for such achievements.
The Performance Car Section places this local legacy alongside international performance machines, reminding visitors that world-class engineering has always existed right here.

Inspiring future generations
By showcasing Coimbatore’s racing roots, the section does more than preserve history—it inspires. Young visitors, engineering students, and aspiring racers are introduced to the idea that innovation does not require borders, only curiosity, skill, and determination

A complete performance narrative
With global supercars, modern performance icons, and Coimbatore’s own racing legacy under one roof, the Performance Car Section at GD Museums presents a complete and powerful narrative of automotive performance—past, present, and future.

This section is not merely about speed; it is about heritage, innovation, and the spirit of pushing limits—a spirit that has always defined Coimbatore.