Record crowds, unique displays, warm sunshine and plenty of storytelling characterized the visitor experience as Luftgekühlt celebrated a resounding success with its first East Coast gathering
Photography by Vijay Sankar Anil; press release info from Luftgekühlt
The East Coast showed up in force to the “Bull City” – Durham, NC at the American Tobacco Campus (ATC), which provided the backdrop for a spectacular Luftgekühlt 11 experience. More than 9200 guests were dazzled by 400 air-cooled Porsches strategically placed throughout the Campus, creating unforgettable images. The majority of cars on display were driven by enthusiasts from 30 states along the Eastern Seaboard and inland, including a number making the cross-country excursion from as far as California, while International visitors dropped in from Canada and Europe.
The two streets defining the borders of ATC were closed to traffic as visitors were invited to explore the historic Lucky Strike factory, which the Luft team had filled with Porsche history, creating a fascinating walking tour. Rare racing and collectible cars were artfully scattered throughout the grounds and inside the buildings, allowing visitors to discover hidden gems around every turn. From racing legends to colorful road-going models, there was something to captivate everyone juxtaposed against the historic red brick buildings.
The majority of featured vehicles had a unique connection to the special guests, with host Tommy Kendall being reunited with the 993 Porsche 911 GT2 Evo he piloted at Le Mans, while Bobby Rahal brought his personal 904 Carrera GTS, which was showcased in the 1948 Lounge. Todd Holbert fired up the 1976 Porsche 934 originally driven by his father Al, and Andial’s Dieter Inzenhofer was reacquainted with the Copenhagen-sponsored Porsche 962 endurance racer.
It wasn’t only racing stars who stole the show; the grounds were packed with rare models, particularly those celebrating the 30th anniversary of the US launch of the Type-993 Porsche 911. There was also an area devoted to “Safari” conversions, while visitors could wander through a diverse collection of cars from rally machines to daily drivers, tuner vehicles, patina classics and money-no-object restorations.
PORSCHE HISTORY THROUGH THE DECADES
People new to Luftgekühlt had the chance to experience something from every era of air-cooled Porsches, and receive a subtle education on Porsche’s American history, which began on the East Coast with imports by Max Hoffman and John von Neumann; a connection highlighted by rare 1952 America Roadsters. Built exclusively for the US market, three of the 17 original aluminum-bodied machines were on display. The lightweight America Roadster models would inspire the 356 Speedster, which was the sparked the boom for Porsche in the US market and was fully represented at the show. In fact, “356 Alley” at Luft 11 provided a stroll back in time to Porsche’s storied origins.
The late ’50s and early ’60s was captured with rarely seen models courtesy of The Ingram Collection and clients of Road Scholars. Headliners included a 1955 Porsche 550, 1958 718 RSK, 1961 Carrera Abarth, and lightweight 1968 911 R.
The 1970s stories were similarly spectacular, led by Durham-based Ligget & Myer’s Tobacco Company, which sponsored George Follmer’s 1972 Porsche 917/10 racer. And while it was an undoubted star of the show, its younger and even meaner brother – the 1973 Porsche 917/30 – was taunting it from outside the Campus on Blackwell Street. And for the first time since the 1970s, the latter was reunited with its freshly restored Penske International Fleetstar transporter, creating an iconic scene that captured the days of Mark Donohue and Roger Penske’s Can-Am dominance.
To celebrate the ’80s, the iconic G-body Carrera was in full force, while headlines were grabbed by the 1985 Brumos Porsche 962. The Copenhagen-liveried example was piloted by an incredible lineup of Hurley Haywood, AJ Foyt, Al Unser Jr and Elliot Forbes-Robinson.
The 962 was proudly surrounded by its period-correct brethren, including the 1978 911 SC Heigo rally car – developed by Walter Röhrl and Dieter Röscheisen. The centerpiece of the Bilstein display, the Heigo story capped off a tremendous rally gathering that incorporated the Keen Safaris, Peking-to-Paris 356, and the Type 7 914 Safari from Gunnar Racing.
If further evidence was needed to prove Luftgekühlt continues to reveal some of the world’s rarest Porsches, visitors were also able to view the world’s only 966. It was a unique vehicle built by Gunnar Racing and derived from the 962. With its open cockpit, it made a fascinating addition to the Durham event.
Luft 11 ended with a bang when host Tommy Kendall fired up his 993 GT2, crowning a collection of significant Type-993 race cars displayed to pay honor to the final decade of air-cooled Porsches.