Luftgekuhlt 6

[ChipBeck]

Gentlemen,

The Porsche owners in our ranks are familiar with this annual gathering of air-cooled Porsche street and race cars from the first 356’s in the ‘50’s to the last 993’s built in 1998. An incredible variety of super rare air cooled race cars like the 550 Spyder and the 917 were parked everywhere as well. Held in a different California location every year it's an amazing one day orgy of 500+ vintage radiator free Porsche’s of every type, variation, and color. This year the cars were parked on the movie sets at Universal Studios and it’s impossible to describe how cool it was. Waiting to go through security the guy in line behind me was Chad McQueen. Parked in front of the theater was a flawlessly restored Gulf 917 like the one his dad drove in the movie Le Mans. If you’re a car guy this is an event well worth attending and if you are a fan of the 356/911/914 era this is nirvana. Impossible to post enough photos to convey the size and scope of Luftgekuhlt but if you google it you can see a bunch. Cheers!!

Chip

 

[ChipBeck]

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[ChipBeck]

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[ChipBeck]

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[Propdave]

Wow, what a turnout. Great photos Chip. Thanks for sharing..

 

[Brombear]

So many amazing Boxer Engine equipped cars

 

[ByeEnzo]

You ran into my buddies Gourley and Turner!

 

[PL510*Jeff]

So many superior Porche's. Back lot was a perfect place to display them.

A friend had the unveiling of his latest creation there. AWD, twin turbo 356.

 

[Brombear]

quite Frankensteinish (in a good sense. Not for the diehard Porsche Purists though)

 

[Specracer]

Except that the "outlaw" look seems to have a lot of traction.

Not for the diehard Porsche Purists though

 

[PL510*Jeff]

quite Frankensteinish (in a good sense. Not for the diehard Porsche Purists though)

Here's the business end of the 356

 

[john gourley]

What an interesting day. So good to see Chip and everyone. One of the best produced car events. Put it on your list.

 

[PeteK]

Yup, great event for air-cooled Porsche owners. Heck, it 's great event for any car enthusiast! I'd like to drive my 1973.5 911T there some day.

 

[dr914]

a tremendous event, I will certainly be there next year.

 

[ByeEnzo]

I have an Albert Blue 1970 911 E. The early cars are neat.

 

[ChipBeck]

I have an Albert Blue 1970 911 E. The early cars are neat

I’ve seen pictures of your 911E. It looks amazing.

Chip

 

[SYCO GT]

I have no idea how they are going to top it. Have been lucky to attend the last three in a row, and brought my sons. We all really enjoyed each of them. This was surreal.

The cars are amazing, but the people watching is equally a treat.

 

[jlhoyt]

Hey Chip - how are you liking your 964 C2? ....saw it on your Instagram account. I recently purchased a 964 C2 as well, and while its no GT, it a blast to drive.

 

[ChipBeck]

Hey Chip - how are you liking your 964 C2? ....saw it on your Instagram account. I recently purchased a 964 C2 as well, and while its no GT, it a blast to drive.

I like it. After owning and driving Ford GT's for years it's hard to believe that air cooled 911's were once serious performance sports cars. The 964 is fun today the same way getting out of my Glasair III and into a Stearman biplane is fun. By modern standards the 911 and Stearman are low performance slugs. BUT....both of those old machines can and do bite operators who aren't familiar with their dark side. While I'm quite comfortable piloting a Stearman I don't know squat about driving old 911's so I'm staying away from cornering limits until I drive it on a track.

It's a neat little car with great air conditioning and a cool vintage vibe. After getting out of that Porsche and into the familiar cockpit of the new Ford GT the new car feels like a road going F-16 with it's razor sharp handling and insane acceleration. The 964 is fun. As much fun as the new or old GT's? No, not even close.

Chip

 

[SYCO GT]

Wow Chip, you have great air conditioning in your 964? That's not a descriptor I could honorably use to describe the functionality of the system in my former '87 930 Turbo.

It was a blast to go full boost, but way above my experience and expertise to pilot the short wheelbase, rear engine, around with complete confidence. Rough controls, no real amenities, but a pure driving experience, most certainly.

Recently sold it, as I accumulate the down payment for something in a whole different dimension entirely!