Some cars, through a mixture of great design, high performance, or maybe even an appearance on screen, become known the world over. While many motors may fall into this category, there are some that remain so popular, and are so well known both in car circles and beyond, that they transcend the typical “great car” tag and become icons in their own right. One such vehicle is the Porsche 911, and specifically the air-cooled variety.

Built by the German auto manufacturer from 1964 to 1998, the defining feature of these cars is the cooling system, which does not rely on fluids but instead on the movement of air, using fins to push it around and cool the engine. The primary benefit of this system is a drastic reduction in weight, as the heavy components of a fluid cooling system are redundant, offering sportier handling. Combine this with the rear-mounted flat-six engine, with three cylinders set horizontally on each side of the crankshaft, which lowers the centre of gravity, and these vehicles can corner with more power.

Why, though, in 2025, are these models still so sought after? An air-cooled Porsche 911 in good condition will run you upward of $50,000 (Canadian), and the prices can stretch into six figures for the more desirable models. Ask many collectors, and they will generally say one thing first: it’s mainly about the sound. The Porsche’s air-cooled engine can purr louder without fluids dampening the engine noise. As a result, the sound of the engine and its large cooling fan can ring out more clearly when you put your foot down. The vintage spec of these vehicles also leads to a more engaged driving experience, without aids or modern luxuries. As a result of these traits and desirability, a strong community of collectors and enthusiasts has formed around these vehicles, and they are always looking for new ways to show off their cars.

Enter Luftgekühlt (German for air-cooled, which encompasses a range of vehicles including the 911), a community that stages annual events that aim to not only give collectors a space to show and tell but also a gathering for all to get up close to these drive machines. Founded by Patrick Long, a former racing driver and member of the Porsche factory team, alongside creative director Howie Idelson, Luftgekühlt is a celebration of air-cooled excellence.

Each event is meticulously curated with the cars as artifacts in visually striking spaces—think gallery over garage: industrial spaces, abandoned factories, shipyards, or hangars. As Long has stated in the past, he wanted Luftgekühlt to be different from the average car show: “just as approachable for the non-Porsche person, or a first timer, or someone who is not even interested in cars.” Every car is handpicked—not just for rarity but also for story and style. The result is more of a festival vibe, with food, music, and plenty of conversation that ranges from engines to aesthetics and lifestyle.

Jerry Seinfeld has showcased his 904 GTS at Luftgekühlt, and Patrick Dempsey, who has a well-known passion for classic 911s, has made appearances with cars from his collection. The very first Luftgekühlt took place in 2014 as a casual gathering in a Venice Beach parking lot. Over the years, it has evolved in both scale and sophistication. Even so, Luft, as it is known for short, has not become overcommercialized, and the 11th running of the event is set to take place at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham, North Carolina in October.

And for those who like their Porsches more modern, the team behind Luftgekühlt has branched out, creating a new event series, Air|Water, opening the door to all Porsche models—air-cooled and water-cooled—including ones ranging from early 356s and classic 911s to modern GT cars, Boxsters, and Caymans: the full spectrum of Porsche engineering. The first Air|Water took place in June in Warsaw, Poland, with the location yet to be announced for 2026.

Luftgekühlt is not creating the market for air-cooled Porsches. What it is doing is providing an outlet for those collectors and enthusiasts who are tired of the same old car shows by creating events that display these engineering marvels in unusual settings. Luftgekühlt is the kind of cool that doesn’t try too hard, because it doesn’t have to.

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