Luftgekühlt 10—The Backlot Sequel

November 19, 2024
Images by Shawn Glad

For those in the Porsche community—enthusiasts, racers, and photographers alike—Luftgekühlt is the must-attend cultural event in Southern California each year. It’s been on my bucket list for ages, but time, family commitments, and the aftermath of Monterey Car Week earlier in the season always seemed to get in the way. This year, though, I finally made the journey down from Oregon to fully dive into the Luft experience.

This year felt extra special as Luftgekühlt returned to the Universal Studios backlot for only the second time in its ten-year history, making it feel like a cinematic sequel. The venue was surreal—you could wander through streets resembling New York City, pass by a classic firehouse that reminded me of Ghostbusters, or stumble upon a vintage gas station straight out of an old road movie. Turning a corner, you might find yourself in the town square from Back to the Future or amidst the rustic charm of a Wild West set. It’s wild to look back at the photos and realize they seem like they’re from entirely different places and times. So cool, so genius of the Luft team—thank you!

I was fortunate enough to score early access, giving me a couple of extra hours to snap some shots before the sun—and the crowds—took over. Don’t get me wrong; I love capturing crowd energy, and the day offered plenty of that. But those precious morning hours for wider shots were fantastic. I can’t wait for next year; this event is definitely a permanent fixture on my calendar now.

Below are some of my favorite shots and cars from the day. Don’t miss the full gallery at the bottom with close to a hundred photos for you to scroll through.

Cheers!

1976 Porsche 934

This 1976 Porsche 934, chassis no. 930 670 0179, was driven by Hurley Haywood in the 1976 Trans-Am Series for Vasek Polak. As one of only 31 Porsche 934s built that year, it has since been carefully restored both mechanically and cosmetically to its original Trans-Am configuration, as shown.

1954 Porsche 550 Spyder

This 1954 Porsche 550 Spyder, chassis no. 550-0036, has a rich racing heritage and exceptional provenance. Initially owned by accomplished racer Theo Helfrich, it competed in major European events in 1955 and 1956 alongside teammate Peter Nocker. After decades of meticulous care by a devoted Porsche collector, the Spyder was restored to its original factory specification with a correct Type 547 four-cam engine and retains its original transaxle.

Misty Windowed Porsches

A half-dozen misty-windowed Porsches set the tone for one of my first shots of the day, perfectly showcasing how the Universal Backlot transforms these cars into snapshots from another place and time.

Porsche 911T and a 993RS Clubsport

Which would you pick, the adventure-focused Porsche 911T loaded up for a beach or mountain run, or the track-tuned Porsche 993 Super Cup, ready to carve up the canyons?

1964 Porsche 356 “C” Coupe

This 1964 Porsche 356C Coupe, nicknamed Ula, was purchased in 1997 in Santa Rosa, California. Daily-driven until an engine seizure in 2001, the owner learned to repair the engine with their mechanic’s help. Restored to its original Signal Red during the pandemic, Ula made her return at Luft 10.

1957 Porsche Speedster

This 1957 Porsche Speedster is a two-owner car with all numbers matching, featuring its original Glasspar hardtop and rare Rudge knockoff wheels.

Emory Outlaws

A trio of Emory Outlaws resembling metallic jelly beans with their vibrant finishes. Two are painted in Aquamarine Blue Metallic, while another shines in deep Lago Green. Each car has its unique flavor, but the lovely ’59 356A Sunroof Coupe in the back stands out as my favorite. What’s yours?

1967 Porsche 912 “Patina Surf 912”

Ten vintage surfboards perfectly complement the timeless style of this Aga Blue Porsche 912, definitely a standout favorite!

Gunther Werks GWR

The first time I saw the Gunther Werks GWR was back in August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it was fitted with white Turbofan wheels featuring aero fins—a sleek complement to the Gunther Werks bodywork. Today, the GWR trades the Turbofans for more traditional center-lock wheels, giving it an entirely different vibe—more muscular, almost like a Hot Rod. Powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine developed with Rothsport Road and Race, it produces 500 HP and 340 lb-ft of torque, breathing through an optimized and absolutely stunning intake manifold. So, which wheel setup is better? Honestly, I’d love to have that dilemma!

1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS

This 1964 Porsche 904 Carrera GTS, chassis no. 078, has impressive motorsport credentials. It competed in legendary events like the 1964 Targa Florio, the 1,000 Kilometers of Nürburgring, and the 12 Hours of Reims, where it secured a 5th place overall finish and 1st in the GT 2000-cc class with drivers Andrea Vianini and Nasif Esterfano.

1956 Porsche 356A

This 1956 Porsche 356A, dubbed the “Silver PXG Polar Porsche,” was extensively modified by Renée Brinkerhoff and her Valkyrie Racing team for the “Project 356 World Rally Tour.” Undertaken to raise awareness and funds to fight child trafficking, Brinkerhoff’s 20,000-mile journey spanned seven continents and required significant alterations to the car’s original design. As displayed here, the vehicle features a unique track and ski system along with numerous mechanical upgrades to operate in extremely cold conditions.

Porsche 911T

I think this Porsche 911T is the only wagon here that doesn’t need fixing.

Signal Orange Porsche 911T Targa

Where air and water meet—this beautiful Signal Orange Porsche 911T Targa fuels up in style.

Porsche 911S

This Porsche 911S is set against a stunning backdrop—the Bride of Frankenstein mural at Luftgekühlt 10. The photograph captures just one section of a massive 50-by-200-foot mural created by street artist Tristan Eaton on the Universal Studios Backlot. Featuring Universal’s legendary monsters like Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster, the mural’s scale and detail make it a perfect setting to showcase these classic Porsches.

1977 Porsche 930 Turbo

This 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo in Ice Green has been in the owner’s possession for over ten years. Originally from Stoddard’s Porsche of Ohio, the vehicle is all original, featuring black watch tartan seats and an added turbo script. With no other modifications, it is a very nice representation of an early 3-liter 930 with 78,000 miles.

1961 Porsche 356B

This 1961 Porsche 356B holds deep personal significance for the owner. Originally purchased by their mother in early 1972, it was the car in which they learned to drive. After many years of searching, the owner was fortunate to find and buy back this cherished coupe, reuniting with a treasured piece of family history.

Vasek Polak Ramp Truck & 1967 Porsche 911S-GT

This 1967 Porsche 911S GT, built by Porsche Cars Northwest to compete in Trans-Am, is displayed on the original Vasek Polak team transporter—a 1970 Chevrolet C30 Ramp Truck that carried the 917 Can-Am cars among other Porsche motorsport legends.

1974 Porsche 911 IROC Tribute

This 1974 Porsche 911 IROC Tribute replicates the car driven by Peter Revson in the IROC Racing Series. Built on a 1980 911SC R.O.W. chassis that was extensively raced in the Porsche Owners Club, it has been carefully restored to match its IROC racing configuration at Riverside Raceway.

1970 Porsche 914-6 GT

This 1970 Porsche 914-6 GT, chassis no. 9140431020, is one of the most famous 914-6 GT race cars ever built. It gained recognition for its impressive performance at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it won the GT class and finished 6th overall. Campaigned by the French team Sonauto and driven by Claude Ballot-Léna and Guy Chasseuil, this 914-6 GT became a symbol of Porsche’s success in the GT 2.0 class. Currently located in Southern California, it remains a significant piece of racing history.

1969 Porsche 912

Built by Verve Vintage Motorworks in Orem, Utah, this 1969 Porsche 912 conquered 8,500 grueling miles in the Peking to Paris rally, bringing home a surprise 3rd place.

The Meyers Manx Carrera GT

This Meyers Manx Carrera GT is a one-of-a-kind dune buggy powered by a Porsche Carrera 2 (2.0-liter) Type 587/2 Fuhrmann four-cam engine, originally built for early Porsche 356 and 550 Spyder racers. A collaboration between Phillip Sarofim and Road Scholars, it imagines what legendary Porsche dealer and racer Vasek Polak might have created in the 1960s using his collection of rare Porsche racing parts. Incorporating elements from historic Porsche models—such as pedals and a gear shifter reminiscent of the 550 Spyder—this buggy is a powerful tribute to vintage Porsche engineering, blending off-road capability with race-bred performance.

1974 Porsche 911 Ducktail Carrera

This 1974 Porsche 911 Ducktail Carrera shines like an LA sunset, a perfect complement to the warm tones of the Wild West scene.

Dino Pegaus Porsche 912

This early Porsche 912 knits seamlessly with the Luft x Hagerty signage. The humble Dino Pegasus decal adds a charming touch, but something about this setup hints it might just be a bit of a ‘sleeper.’

1971 Porsche 917K

This 1971 Porsche 917K, chassis no. 019, is an unrestored example that was part of Porsche Salzburg in 1970. In 1971, it raced as a member of the Martini Racing Team, renamed by Louise Piëch after securing sponsorship from Martini & Rossi. While the team clinched victory at Le Mans with a different 917K driven by Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep, chassis no. 019 had less fortunate results. Marko and van Lennep raced this car three times in 1971: a crash ended its run at the 24 Hours of Daytona on the 462nd lap, a throttle linkage issue halted it midway through the Monza 1000 Kilometers, and engine failure forced its retirement at Spa. Preserved in its late 1971 configuration, this 917 is absolutely stunning under the lightbox!

1962 Porche 356 Notchback

This 1962 Porsche 356 Notchback is a rare, one-year-only model featuring the Karmann badge, restored to its original condition in Oslo Blue. Beautifully staged under a garden trellis in true Luft form with wood staging.

1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR “R7"

This 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR, known as “R7,” is an ex-works Martini-Porsche and one of only eight special R-numbered RSRs built by Porsche—only four of which featured the famous Martini Racing livery. Widely acknowledged as the best-preserved and most original example, R7 achieved a significant finish at the 1973 24 Hours of Le Mans, beaten only by three prototype cars. Unique features include massive 11-inch and 14-inch center-locking 917 rims and the full-width “Mary Stuart” rear spoiler, named after the collar ruff worn by Mary, Queen of Scots, which gave the car its nickname. With weight-reducing measures like thinner steel and fiberglass components, along with a powerful engine producing up to 315 bhp, this RSR represents a pinnacle of Porsche’s racing heritage.