Air|Water Porsche Festival: A Celebration of Past, Present, and Future Porsches
The third annual Air|Water event, a vibrant celebration of all things Porsche, recently took place in Costa Mesa, California, drawing over 1,000 cars and countless enthusiasts. This rapidly growing festival, conceived by Patrick Long (co-founder of Luftgekühlt) and Jeff Zwart, aims to be an inclusive gathering for Porsche fans, showcasing the brand's rich history and cutting-edge innovation.
Unlike Luftgekühlt, which focuses solely on air-cooled Porsches, Air|Water embraces a broader spectrum, welcoming enthusiasts of all Porsche models. Held at the OC Fair & Event Center, the event featured over 1,000 cars, ranging from daily drivers to meticulously curated "hero cars," each with a unique story to tell. One of the major attractions was the McLaren MP4/2B, driven by Alain Prost to victory in the 1985 Formula 1 season, powered by Porsche's legendary Hans Mezger-designed V6 engine produced by TAG.
Other highlights included a rare Rothmans-Porsche 911 SC/RS, a Schuppan 962 CR (one of only six Group C-derived road cars), and the Flying Lizard Motorsports 911 GT3-RSR driven by Patrick Long at Le Mans. Themed displays highlighted mid-engined Porsches, the water-cooled transaxle 944, collectible Porsche tractors, and Rod Emory's iconic 356 "outlaw" builds. The "Actions Sports Arena" showcased off-road Porsche concepts.
New for 2025 was the "Carrera Carnival," offering attendees the chance to experience Porsche's latest sports cars on a specially designed handling circuit with professional drivers. Long emphasized the event's focus on attracting non-Porsche owners, providing them with an immersive experience to learn about the brand's legacy and appeal.
The second staging of Broad Arrow's Porsche-specific auction also drew significant attention, featuring a diverse selection of collector cars. Air|Water also featured a diverse array of exhibitors, adding artwork and wearables to restoration and performance parts.
Despite a rainy start, the event showcased a wide variety of Porsches, including the 924, 944, and 928, as well as Alain Prost’s Porsche-powered McLaren TAG MP4/2, from his 1985 Formula 1 Driver’s Championship win. Also featured were off-road models, like the Dakar 911 and overland-kitted Cayennes.
The success of Air|Water underscores the enduring appeal of Porsche and its commitment to innovation while honoring its heritage. For those in Europe, the Luft team announced the first Air|Water Poland, scheduled for June 13-14 in Warsaw, bringing this vibrant celebration to a new audience.
What elements of Porsche's past and present do you find most captivating? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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