Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s
Mare Island Naval Shipyard

April 29, 2023

Luftgekühlt 9, staged on April 29, 2023, at Mare Island, the historic naval base in Vallejo just north of San Francisco. The location holds a particular significance for me, as my grandfather worked in this shipyard during World War II. The setting's brick, cranes, and dry docks framed a rare cross-section of Porsche history: more than 1,000 cars and 12,000 guests across the weekend. Saturday centered on the air-cooled 911 legacy—especially the G-model in its 60th year—while Sunday expanded into Air | Water, connecting eras and build styles in one narrative space. The curation was cinematic, turning an industrial shipyard into a gallery where patina, provenance, and personality shared the same passion.
This photo gallery pays homage to all the 356s on display, from the classic originals to outlaws and Emory Motorsports, the original outlaw. I lingered on details—beehive taillights, shine-down plates, corduroy buckets, louvered decks—each variation showing how the 356 shaped Porsche's soul. Pre-A purity sat beside late C refinement, Speedsters next to weathered coupes wearing honest miles. Emory's stance and craft reframed tradition without erasing lineage. In Mare Island's brick and steel, these read like first drafts of the 911: lightweight, purposeful, human-scaled.
Luftgekühlt originated in 2014, when racer Patrick Long and creative director Howie Idelson hosted a small gathering of air-cooled Porsches in the parking lot at Deus Ex Machina in Venice, California. The name means "air-cooled", but the idea was bigger: curate cars like art, stage them in character-rich spaces, and invite a community to mingle stories with machinery. From that intimate start, the event scaled into a roving exhibition with hyper-considered placement, distinctive branding, and an inclusive spirit that welcomes purists and outliers alike. It is really something special, everyone across the spectrum coming together to celebrate a shared love for Porsche's air-cooled heritage.

Video thumbnail for: Luftgekuhlt 9 - The 356s

Luftgekuhlt 9 - The 356s

Link to YouTube video: "Luftgekuhlt 9 - The 356s"

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vintage Porsche 356A Coupe with significant patina, including faded paint and rust spots, drives slowly through a paved lot at a car gathering. The car features stone guards over its headlight

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A white Porsche 356 Coupe with black steel wheels is parked in the foreground, with a silver Porsche 356 Coupe visible just behind it. The cars are in a paved lot in front of a beige industrial

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A lineup of vintage Porsche sports cars, including a cream 356, a dark green 356 Cabriolet, and two early long-hood 911s in yellow and light green, are parked on an asphalt lot next to a large b

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle rear view of a vintage Porsche 356 S Cabriolet at a car meet. The car is painted a light beige color and has a dark green tonneau cover over the folded soft top. It is parked in a lo

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic black Porsche 356 Cabriolet with its top down is the central subject at an outdoor car gathering. The car features chrome wheels and a rear luggage rack. It is parked on an asphalt lot

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A high-angle view into the cockpit of a classic black Porsche 356 Convertible at a car gathering. The interior is detailed with a wood-rimmed steering wheel, black leather seats, and vibrant red

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A detailed, high-angle view of the immaculate engine bay of a classic black Porsche 356 1600 Super. The rear decklid is open, showcasing the air-cooled flat-four engine with its prominent silver

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A silver Porsche 356 coupe with a sunroof is parked in the foreground at an outdoor car gathering. Next to it, a dark green 356 coupe with yellow headlight lenses is being inspected by a spectat

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic white Porsche 356 A Coupé is parked centrally on the concrete floor of a large industrial warehouse during a car show. Attendees walk amongst various classic Porsches, which are displa

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear three-quarter view of a white 1964 Porsche 356C Super 90 coupe parked on a concrete floor inside a rustic warehouse during a car gathering. Another green Porsche 356 is visible in the bac

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic black Porsche 356 A Coupe with chrome hubcaps is parked on a concrete floor inside a rustic warehouse with white and green painted brick walls. Bright sunlight streams through large wi

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vibrant orange Porsche 356 Speedster is the center of attention for a group of onlookers at an outdoor gathering. The classic convertible, with its black soft top up, is parked on asphalt in f

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vintage Porsche 356 Speedster, painted in a vibrant orange, is parked on an asphalt surface next to a building with dark, weathered vertical wood siding. The vehicle is viewed from a rear thre

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vintage pale yellow Porsche 356 A Carrera with a black roof is parked in an industrial setting, possibly an alley or parking lot, on a sunny day. The car's louvered engine lid is open, and a s

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A detailed high-angle view into the open engine bay of a light yellow vintage Porsche 356 Carrera. The air-cooled flat-four engine is visible, featuring four individual air filters with red base

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A light blue vintage Porsche 356 A Speedster, adorned with "37 E/P" racing livery and vented steel wheels, is parked on an asphalt lot in front of a large brick industrial building. The car feat

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A crowd of people walks along a paved area at an outdoor event, set against a backdrop of large, industrial brick buildings. A man in a black hoodie is in the foreground, while a vintage orange

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, front three-quarter view of a black Porsche 356 A Coupe at an outdoor car show. The car is the first in a lineup of classic Porsches, including a red and a white 356, parked on an a

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A row of classic air-cooled Porsches, led by an orange 911 with Fuchs wheels, is displayed on a paved lot at a car show in an industrial shipyard. A massive, weathered green gantry crane towers

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic dark gray Porsche 356 coupe, fitted with yellow auxiliary driving lights, is positioned front and center at an outdoor car gathering. The event takes place in an industrial shipyard se

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, front three-quarter view of a classic silver Porsche 550 Spyder roadster parked on a paved dockside area. The car features a custom livery with a large, colorful roundel on the door

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic, red Porsche 356 America Roadster from the mid-1950s is parked on a dirt lot, presented from a low, front-three-quarters view. The car features period details like leather hood straps,

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear three-quarter view of a classic red 1952 Porsche 356 America Roadster parked on a gravel lot during an event. The car features a black soft top, chrome hubcaps on red-painted steel wheels

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A lineup of four classic air-cooled Porsche models is parked diagonally on an asphalt lot in front of a large brick industrial building. The primary subject is a red Porsche 356 coupe with yello

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A well-worn, dark brown Porsche 356 Super with a heavy patina and numerous event stickers on its rear window is parked in the foreground of a car meet. To its left are a red Porsche 356 SC and a

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear three-quarter view of a 1963 Porsche 356 S coupe in light gray, parked on an asphalt street in front of a large red brick building. The car features twin chrome engine grilles and a Calif

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vintage Porsche 356 coupe with a heavily weathered brown and dark green patina finish is parked at a car gathering. The car features a California license plate reading '356'. To its left is a

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic Porsche 356B/C coupe, finished in a light grey color, is positioned at a front three-quarter angle on an asphalt road. The car features chrome bumpers, headlight bezels, and polished w

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear view of the historic 1961 Porsche Abarth Carrera GT/L, finished in silver, showcased on a purpose-built wooden platform. The car is the centerpiece of an outdoor event set in an industria

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, detailed view of the rear of a 1961 Porsche Abarth Carrera GT/L. The focal point is the prominent, centrally-mounted exhaust system, revealing the car's undercarriage and suspension

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, head-on photograph of a classic black Porsche 356 Speedster parked on an asphalt lot next to a weathered, yellow industrial building. In the background, a large grey naval ship is d

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A high-angle view of two classic black Porsche 356s parked next to a rustic building with weathered, peeling paint. In the background, a Porsche 356A Coupe features a chrome luggage rack with wo

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vintage black Porsche 356A coupe with a chrome roof rack is parked on an urban street in front of a weathered industrial building. The car features mesh headlight grilles, checkered fog light

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, front-three-quarters view of a vintage Porsche 356A coupe with a heavily patinated off-white finish. The car, featuring a California '56 license plate, is parked on a concrete floor

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic black Porsche 356 1500 coupe is parked in a gravel lot, viewed from the rear three-quarter angle. In the background, other vintage Porsches, including a black 911 coupe with Fuchs whee

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A glossy black Porsche 356 coupe is parked in the foreground on a weathered, paved surface with embedded train tracks. A red Pegasus decal is visible on the front fender. In the background, anot

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vintage silver Porsche 356 coupe, modified for racing, is parked on an asphalt street in front of a yellow painted brick wall. The car features wide orange racing stripes with silver pinstripe

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear view of a black 1958 Porsche 356A Coupe parked on asphalt at an outdoor car gathering. The car features a California license plate reading "1958" and a "Vasek Polak" license plate frame.

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, front-three-quarters view of a classic black Porsche 356 Speedster coupe parked on asphalt at an outdoor car event. The car features grey five-spoke wheels, chrome headlight grilles

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A black Porsche 356 coupe with extensive rally-style livery is parked on old train tracks at an outdoor car event. The car is covered in sponsor and band stickers, including a large white rounde

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A vintage Porsche 356 coupe with a distinctive black and light blue rally livery is parked on a paved surface with embedded train tracks at a waterfront car event. The car features leather hood

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic dark grey Porsche 356 A Coupe is positioned prominently in the foreground on a steel truss drawbridge, its glossy paint reflecting the intricate structure above. The car is equipped wi

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic black Porsche 356 B Coupe is viewed from the rear, parked on an asphalt surface under the repeating geometric structure of a white riveted steel truss bridge. Other vintage cars, inclu

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic green Porsche 356 Coupé is parked head-on on a bridge, centered beneath a large, beige-painted riveted steel truss structure. The car is modified for rallying, featuring yellow auxilia

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear three-quarter view of a classic Porsche 356 S Coupe in a vibrant green finish, parked on an asphalt lot. The car features polished deep-dish chrome wheels, a California license plate with

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic blue Porsche 356 coupe is parked at a low front three-quarter angle on a paved lot in an industrial setting. The car features chrome steel wheels, auxiliary driving lights, a leather h

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A light blue Porsche 356A Coupe with a lowered stance is parked on a concrete surface at an outdoor car gathering. The car features polished chrome wide-5 style wheels, a red Mobil Pegasus decal

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A front three-quarter view of a classic, bumperless red Porsche 356 coupe, modified in an "Outlaw" style with black Fuchs-style wheels. The car is parked on a concrete surface in an industrial p

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A straight-on, close-up shot of a vintage, open-faced electrical panel recessed into a dilapidated wall. The dark metal panel is filled with a chaotic tangle of old, fabric-insulated wires, prim

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, wide shot captures massive industrial cranes towering over a crowd of people at an outdoor event in a shipyard. In the foreground, a vintage long-hood Porsche 911 in a deep purple c

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A close-up shot of a weathered, dark metal electrical box with a brass-colored instruction plaque. The plaque is riveted on and provides directions for restoring service. Above the box is a dens

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A modified dark grey Porsche 356 coupe is parked at a low, front three-quarter angle on a paved road with embedded train tracks. The car features black steel wheels and a lowered stance. In the

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — An interior view of a classic Porsche 356, focusing on the driver's side from a passenger's perspective. The scene highlights the three-spoke wood-rimmed steering wheel with a prominent Porsche

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, front three-quarter view of a classic white Porsche 356 Emory Outlaw Coupe parked inside building 116. Two men are leaning over to admire the car. In the background, a line of other

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A classic white Porsche 356 A Emory Outlaw coupe is showcased from a low, head-on perspective inside a vast industrial warehouse. The warm, yellow overhead lighting casts dramatic shadows on the

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear view of a classic Porsche 356 A Emory Outlaw coupe, finished in white, parked inside a dimly lit industrial building 116. The warm spotlighting accentuates the car's iconic curved bodywor

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A satin silver Porsche 356 Emory Special coupe is the center of attention under a warm spotlight in an industrial building 116. Several people are gathered around, closely inspecting the vehicle

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — An interior view of a classic 356 Emory Outlaw, during a bare-metal restoration. The dashboard, stripped of all components, reveals cutouts for gauges and a glove box, all glowing with a warm, g

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A detailed interior view of a classic Porsche 356 Emory Special, focusing on the cockpit from the driver's side. The shot highlights the elegant wood-rimmed, three-spoke steering wheel with a ce

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A low-angle, three-quarter rear view of a classic classic 356 Emory Outlaw body shell stripped to bare metal during a restoration. The car is elevated on wooden sawhorses in a workshop, and warm

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A bare metal Porsche 356 coupe body shell is prominently displayed on a wooden stand in the foreground of a large, rustic industrial building 166. In the background, a complete satin silver Pors

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A custom satin silver Porsche 356 Emory Special coupe is parked under a warm spotlight inside a rustic, building 116 industrial warehouse. The car, featuring a minimalist bumperless design and c

Luftgekühlt 9 — The 356s — Mare Island Naval Shipyard — A rear three-quarter view of a custom Porsche 356 Emory Special coupe, finished in a satin silver paint. The car is dramatically lit by a warm spotlight in building 116, highlighting its smooth,