Porsche Enthusiast Patrick Long Expands Luftgekühlt Car Shows Globally

The two-time Le Mans winner is bringing his popular air-cooled Porsche events to new international locations.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:08am

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Patrick Long, a former Porsche factory driver and two-time Le Mans winner, has been expanding his Luftgekühlt car shows globally. What started as a gathering of the world's best air-cooled Porsches in California has now grown to events in Germany, Denmark, the U.K., Japan, and other international locations. Long and his team emphasize finding unique venues that tell a visual story, rather than the typical car show setup. The next Luftgekühlt event is planned for the East Coast in October, while the more inclusive Air/Water show featuring both air-cooled and water-cooled Porsches will be held in Orange County, California in April.

Why it matters

Luftgekühlt has become one of the most sought-after car events for Porsche enthusiasts, showcasing rare and iconic air-cooled models in creative settings. Long's efforts to expand the shows globally demonstrates the growing international appeal of classic Porsches and the brand's enduring popularity. The events also highlight how enthusiast-driven car culture can thrive through innovative event planning and a focus on unique experiences.

The details

Long and his friend Howie Idelson, along with help from others, started Luftgekühlt as a gathering of the world's best air-cooled Porsches in interesting locations. The events have been held in California, Germany, Denmark, the U.K., Japan, and other international destinations. Long says the team emphasizes finding unique venues that can provide diverse visual backdrops for the cars, rather than the typical car show setup. For example, one Luftgekühlt was held at a lumberyard in Southern California to draw a connection to Porsche's origins in a sawmill in Gmünd, Austria.

  • Luftgekühlt held its 10th edition at the Universal Studios backlot in 2025, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 Turbo.
  • The next Luftgekühlt event is planned for the East Coast in October 2026.
  • The next Air/Water Porsche show will be held on April 25, 2026 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Orange County, California.

The players

Patrick Long

A former Porsche factory driver and two-time Le Mans winner who co-founded the Luftgekühlt car shows.

Howie Idelson

Long's friend who co-founded the Luftgekühlt car shows with him.

Jeff Zwart

One of the many people who have helped Long and Idelson with the Luftgekühlt events.

Porsche AG

The German automaker that Long raced for as a factory driver for 20 years.

Porsche Cars North America

The North American division of Porsche that has partnered with Luftgekühlt for events like Petit Le Mans.

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What they’re saying

“Sort of the meat between the bun is these international events. We've been to the U.K., we've been to Germany, we've been to Austria, we've been twice to Poland, Japan. And so, yeah, we've done a lot in Europe.”

— Patrick Long, Co-founder, Luftgekühlt

“Breaking into Asia, that was a long time coming. The site visit started over a decade ago. And I wasn't going to do Japan until it was just right.”

— Patrick Long, Co-founder, Luftgekühlt

“Ginza is such a fashion-forward, such a vibrant part of town. Everybody is still asking, like, 'How did you close down an expressway in the middle of Tokyo with the skyline illuminated?' The event went into the night, and the skyline was illuminated on both sides. The visuals were very Tokyo Drift at night.”

— Patrick Long, Co-founder, Luftgekühlt

What’s next

The next Luftgekühlt event is planned for the East Coast in October 2026, while the Air/Water Porsche show will be held on April 25, 2026 in Orange County, California.

The takeaway

Patrick Long's Luftgekühlt car shows have become a must-attend event for Porsche enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing rare air-cooled models in unique settings. By expanding the events internationally, Long is tapping into the growing global appeal of classic Porsches and demonstrating how enthusiast-driven car culture can thrive through innovative event planning and a focus on memorable experiences.