Americans love cars. The open road with the wind in your hair is an obvious symbol of freedom. But at the same time, cars are incredibly complex. Millions of moving parts, aerodynamics, and advanced engineering all somehow come together in an easy to use, beautiful machine that can take us places we’ve never been before.

When The Vault at BIGHORN opened in 2015, BIGHORN became the first Club in the country to offer Members a premium automotive showroom with a social experience.

The 22,000 square foot epicenter of car culture at BIGHORN is certainly a thing of beauty – it is also remarkably sophisticated. Beyond the signature, bank-vault-style entrance and exit doors, The Vault at BIGHORN incorporates some highly intelligent, if slightly less obvious, technology to keep everything running smoothly. Cloud connected microchips automatically open and close the Vault door when a Member’s car approaches, and fingerprint scanners allow Members access to their prized vehicles 24 hours a day.

Directly adjacent to and raised above the garage floor is the Redline Lounge, a designer, car-inspired sports bar that features indoor/outdoor seating, full bar menu, and multiple flat-screen televisions where Members gather to talk shop, and attend special events.

“To me, The Vault is what makes BIGHORN so special” says Rick Parker, a Vault Member since its inception. “It is such a unique amenity. Being able to take part in the events here, and to appreciate these amazing machines with fellow Members is just a lot of fun.”

Let’s go under the hood to take a closer look at a few of these exceptional vehicles.

 

2019 Porsche 911 GT2RS

According to the automaker, the 2019 PORSCHE 911 GT2RS is the “most powerful 911 ever built by Porsche.” Indeed, this speedster is reputedly the fastest street legal vehicle on the road today.

Sporting 700 horsepower, this model’s lightweight construction, aerodynamic design and vented body combine with a 3.8-liter, six-cylinder twin turbo engine that will go from 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds.  

 

1957 Chevy Cameo Truck

Reflective of Chevy’s decision to reinvigorate its half-ton models, this Cameo’s popping turquoise paint job defines the ride. Featuring fiberglass side fenders instead of stepsides, Larry Hursh bought this stylish truck at auction in 2009, and has added white paint on the grill and atop the car.

Sitting high with a large back window, this classic remains a head-turner.

“I’ll drive it weekly, and it’s probably the most popular vehicle I have,” says Hursh. “Above all, people just really seem to enjoy the color.”

 

2004 Porsche Carrera GT

Revered among the last of the true “super-cars,” Porsche’s ‘04 Carrera GT is the lastof its models with a manual stick shift transmission. Boasting over 600 horsepower with its dry-sump V10 engine, the ride achieves 0-60 mph in under four seconds.

Purchased by Rick Parker in 2004, this high-performance vehicle has been at BIGHORN since The Vault’s debut. With fewer than 4,000 miles on the odometer, the owner has never taken this speed machine on a traditional race track, and instead, enjoys the car’s performance on something of a home course.

“I take it up and down Highway 74, which is better than driving on any track,” Parker says.

 

2019 Porsche 911 GT3RS

This high-performance sport model with naturally-aspirated engine is, according to Car and Driver, the “most race-car-like Porsche” offering 9000 rpm’s and incredible handle.

For more aerodynamic downforce, the model’s design includes a widened front spoiler lip in concert with widened sideskirts. With a 4.0-liter, six-cylinder, horizontally opposed engine, the 911 GT3 RS revs and rides to the tune of 470Nm torque and achieves 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds. The impressive start line marks graduate to a top speed of 194 mph.

 

1941 Packard Woody Delux

America’s original station wagon, this very rare 1941 Packard Woody Deluxe One-Ten was acquired by Larry Hursh in 2007. Of the approximately 350 that were originally built, this vintage luxury ride is one of only a handful that exist today.

For drivability, Hursh outfitted the wagon with a V8 and automatic transmission, and had disc brakes installed on the front. 

The Packard Woody was originally very popular at resorts and lodges, where the spacious interior was ideal for transporting guests. For Hursh, the purpose hasn’t changed much, “It’s a nice car for picking people up at the airport.”