Luftgekühlt Munich Makes its German Debut
Daily Slideshow: Southern California is known as the car capital of the world. Demand for performance vehicles throughout this enormous market has been influencing automakers across the globe for generations. The Porsche enthusiasts of Luftgekühlt show off their classic air-cooled German sports cars by organizing car shows and special events. In 2018, the US-based club took its act overseas and visited the home country of the brand’s manufacturer for a celebration of the history and achievement of these cars in Munich, Germany.
Porsche's Biggest Air-Cooled Engine Fans
Luftgekühlt is an auto club dedicated to the Porsche brand of sports cars. Specifically, these enthusiasts focus on the German automaker’s traditional air-cooled engines. The Porsche motor company produced its signature 356 model based on Volkswagen designs following the end of World War II. The rear-mounted, air-cooled engine design remained a hallmark of the company until 1998 with the last 993 model. California, with its fair weather and robust highway system, quickly became a hot spot for these sportscars, and the brand still enjoys a loyal following. Now, Luftgekühlt organizes several meetups where owners show off their cars and swap stories with other drivers.
The First Munich Luftgekühlt
Although already a popular event in the United States, Luftgekühlt took its festival to Munich, Germany in September of 2018. Porsche sponsored the special event which drew attendants from several European countries. Owners from all over the world gathered together with most of the cars driving in from the surrounding regions. Most participants had not attended a Luftgekühlt before, but a few California-based veterans made the nearly 6000-mile international voyage. Likeminded enthusiasts drove alongside one another, and Munich's roadways filled with thousands of spectators.
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What's So Exciting About an Air-Cooled Porsche?
Porsche engineered these cars for performance. A belt-driven fan blows air across the cylinder heads, and heat sinks arrayed rows disperses the heat allowing the engine to cool naturally. This system of cooling is much simpler and lighter weight than liquid-cooled engines. Better power-to-weight ratios enable drivers to take advantage of more available engine output. Porsche also favored a boxer-style engine mounted in the rear of the vehicle. The horizontally opposed piston design lowers the center of gravity, and the weight of the engine pushes the rear wheels into the pavement. These features give these vehicles their characteristic nimbleness and superior road course performance.
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The Event Highlight for Porsche Enthusiasts
The impressive collection of vehicles included many rare and famous cars. In 2018, over 600 cars showed up for the California version of the festival. For Munich’s first go at a Luftgekühlt event, 150 cars from across Europe attended. A 914/6 once driven to a second-place finish at the 1970 Marathon de la Route was a favored attraction, but visitors witnessed many other excellent specimens.
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Road Trip to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart
For the drivers from California, being in Germany presented another exciting opportunity. Stuttgart is just over 200 kilometers away from the location of the event. Porsche fans had enough time to visit the main headquarters and factory before returning to swap stories with other drivers at the Luftgekühlt event. The automaker built a museum where enthusiasts meander and absorb Porsche's history and culture.
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Enduring Traditions
Porsche builds cars for drivers. Although the carmaker expanded to other markets by offering SUVs and liquid cooled luxury cars, the team at Porsche still remembers its heritage. Sponsorship for the Luftgekühlt brought fans from both continents together to celebrate their favorite vehicles in a casual environment. Attendees strolled through the streets lined with cars in jeans and t-shirts enjoying the spectacles of the event. Some speculate that this successful first Luftgekühlt in Germany is the start of a new tradition.
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