The third Air|Water event was a major success.
Luftgekühlt is an iconic Porsche event, showcasing the cherished vintage air-cooled models from the historic brand in a grand display full of automotive excellence and peak car culture. However, its newer companion, Air|Water, is the brainchild of Luftgekühlt’s founder, Patrick Long, and its creative director, Jeff Zwart, and unlike Luftgekühlt, it broadens the scope to include both air-cooled and water-cooled Porsche models.
The third iteration of Air|Water just took place, bringing thousands of Porsche enthusiasts from across the country and beyond to Southern California for the fastest-growing Porsche festival. While Luftgekhühlt moves around, the Air|Water event has returned to Costa Mesa, California, and its fixed venue promotes the idea of turning Air|Water into an annual event.
This year, over 1,000 cars were displayed at the OC Fair & Event Center, ranging from owner-driven cars to a specially curated selection of special vehicles. One of the most interesting arrivals was, in fact, not a Porsche, but a McLaren MP4/2B, one with which Alain Prost drove to overall victory in the 1985 Formula 1 season. Hans Mezger, Porsche’s legendary master engine builder, designed the retro F1 winner’s engine.
Other stars were a Rothmans-Porsche 911 SC/RS that won the Middle East Rally Championship in 1984 and 1985, a street-legal Schuppan 962 CR, and the 911 GT3-RSR that Patrick Long raced himself in the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans with Flying Lizard Motorsports.
The event also featured themed displays, including one about the legacy of mid-engine Porsches and one about the front-engined 944. A unique attraction at the festival was the “Carrera Carnival,” where visitors could ride around a handling circuit in Porsches driven by professional drivers.
The Air|Water event caters both to seasoned Porsche fans and owners, and to non-owners who want to gain an immersive experience of the brand’s rich heritage and history. With lifestyle items, artwork, and aftermarket accessories as part of the display, the inclusivity and rich culture seen in Air|Water will hopefully blossom into a regular event for Porsche fans of all kinds.
Image Source: Porsche