The first time I spent several hours wandering around looking at a collection of air-cooled Porsches was over ten years ago. I was one of the relative few who had the chance to do so. Thanks to my Porsche Club cronies, I had heard about Luftgekühlt, a unique, new car show featuring air-cooled Porsches. The founders of the event, Pat Long and Howie Idelson, were local guys. They suspected that they they had a tiger by the tail and they were trying to keep a lid on the buzz surrounding the event, which, in my opinion, only added to its allure—at least for me.

Pam, on the other hand, had no interest in going with me, especially since I told her it was going to be an epic Porsche event. She was not impressed and opted not to go, much to her ultimate chagrin, as she could have met Patrick Dempsey had she come along with me.

Luftgekühlt 1 was held at Dues Ex Machina in Venice. The location was spectacular, if too small, as evidenced by the throngs of people spilling out onto Venice and Lincoln. The cars were amazing. I knew many of the attendees, making it feel more like a cocktail party than a car show.

On the way home, I called Pam. With more than a modicum of sarcasm, she asked, “Was it epic?” I said, “YES!!.” I was not the only one who felt that way, as over the years, Luftgekühlt has grown into the preeminent air-cooled Porsche show in the world.

I was not able to attend Luftgekühlt 2 or 3, but I attended and had cars displayed in Luftgekühlt 4, 5 and 6, which occurred in 2019 and was held on the backlot at Universal Studios. I thoroughly enjoyed attending each of those shows. I still laugh about the fact that several of my Porsche Club friends and I did traffic control at Luftgekühlt 4. Frankly, I never understood why the drivers followed our directions, as we were in ous street clothes and not even wearing reflective vests. Though the drivers listened, the cops were not happy about our efforts.

By the time of Luftgekühlt 6, which was held on the backlot of Universal Studios, the event had matured. It was professionally run and was unbelievably well organized. I still remember the joy I felt driving my 89 911 Carrera onto and into the backlot and parking it on one of the streets built to look like New York. I had a great time at that event, which I attended with my friend, Marc, who is very connected to Pat Long. We spent the day looking at cars, talking with Pat, drinking and hanging out with my Porsche Club friends.

Yesterday, I attended Luftgekühlt 10. Once again, I spent several hours wandering around the backlot of Universal Studios, gazing at hundreds of air-cooled Porsches. The show was great. The cars were great. The location was great. The food trucks and drinks were great. The attendance was great. It was a spectacular show, easily eclipsing the epicness of the first Luftgekühlt.

But something was different for me this year. Maybe it was because I had an overwhelming sense of deja vu. Maybe it was because Marc, who was on the east coast, was not there. Maybe it was because I did not drive my 89 Carrera to a parking spot on the backlot, which given the heat of the day, turned out to be more of a blessing than a curse. Maybe it was because I did not see anyone I knew. Maybe it was because I have seen so many air-cooled Porsches over the years, they had lost their impact, though not their appeal.

Interestingly, I spent more time observing other people looking at the Porsches instead of looking at the Porsches myself. I spent more time listening to them as they oohed and aahed and talked, sometimes erroneously, about the attributes of the cars or as they pushed strollers and talked about introducing the next generation to the air-cooled world. I enjoyed talking to a father who had given his camera to his young daughter so she could experience the joys of taking pictures of Porsches parked in uniquely interesting locations on the lot.

Maybe it was different because, I knew I would never be buying another air-cooled Porsche. I am happy with the one I have, and buying another one is not on my bucket list.

Maybe it was because as I approach seventy, I have finally grown up—God, I hope not!