Luftgekühlt 11
Words and photos by Jack Webster
It started as pretty much of a gathering of like-minded Porsche fans in a parking lot in Venice, California in September of 2014. Organized and founded by Porsche factory driver Patrick Long and his business partner Howie Idelson, Luftgekühlt has grown, or perhaps more accurately ‘exploded’ in popularity over the years.
True to its California roots, almost all of the events have been held in California. From the humble beginning in that Venice Beach parking lot to such diverse venues as Universal Studios to Bandito Brothers Studio in Culver City to the Port of Long Beach – each version of the event has featured more and more cars, and even more spectators.
The word Luftgekühlt in German literally means ‘air-cooled’ and that is what the event pays tribute to – the entire history of air-cooled Porsches from 1948 through 1998. More than a car show, it is a gathering of Porsche fans and their cars – and not just concours garage queens, but real, honest to god street running, un-restored cars with stories to tell. You will find everything from barn finds to daily drivers to beautifully restored and historic street and race cars. There is something for everyone. Patrick Long and his crew has really latched onto something big here, and it just keeps growing.
The eleventh event ventured out of familiar California grounds to the beautiful American Tobacco Campus in Durham, North Carolina. It marked only the second time Luftgekühlt has ventured outside of California, the last time being in Indianapolis at the Coca Cola Bottleworks in 2021.
The event was held in perfect weather conditions on a beautiful fall day and the massive crowds that showed up were certainly not disappointed. Everywhere you looked there were air-cooled Porsches perfectly displayed on the grounds of the American Tobacco Campus. It provide the perfect industrial backdrop on which to display Porsche’s works of art.
Suffice to say, there was literally more than the eye (or camera) could absorb, but I hope the photo gallery shown here captures the spirit of the event. Enjoy.
We look forward to seeing you at Luftgekühlt 12.
