Porsche fans gather in Durham for Luftgekühlt 11 and 993 anniversary

The 11th Luftgekühlt in Durham honors Porsche’s 993 legacy and racing icons

Luftgekühlt 11 marked a new chapter for Porsche enthusiasts as the celebrated air-cooled gathering made its first appearance on the U.S. East Coast. The historic American Tobacco Campus in Durham, North Carolina, became a vibrant stage for around four hundred cars and thousands of visitors, from rare early 911s to meticulously restored race machines.

The spotlight fell on the 30th anniversary of the 993 generation’s arrival in North America — the last air-cooled 911 built by Porsche. Among the highlights were the 911 GT2 driven by Tommy Kendall at the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans and Bobby Rahal’s beautifully restored 904 Carrera GTS from the Gunnar Racing collection.

A special section honored Brumos and Holbert Racing, featuring iconic 934 and 962 models that once defined the IMSA era on the East Coast. Nearby, on the plaza of the Durham Convention Center, the national final of the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge 2025 gathered a record 73 entries from Porsche Centers across the country.

Event founders Patrick Long and Jeff Zwart once again fused visual storytelling with authentic automotive passion. Each car became more than an exhibit — it carried memories and meaning, woven into a living narrative where every frame reflected the enduring spirit of Porsche. For the enthusiast community, Luftgekühlt’s debut in Durham signaled an expansion of horizons and the beginning of a new era for the iconic festival.