Luftgekühlt Copenhagen 2024 – Friday at Kødbyen
PRELUDE BEFORE THE BIG DAY
Porsche community is one of the biggest, if not the biggest out there in the automotive world. United by the magical creations of Ferdinand Porsche, countless followers of the classic- and more modern machinery organise unique brand festivals and this year, one of them is touring through Europe. Are you ready for the last of its two stops? Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Luftgekühlt Copenhagen!
Luftgekühlt is a brand conjured by the two-times Le Mans champion Patrick Long and acclaimed creative director Howie Idelson. As with many great events, here the beginnings follow a rather familiar path. As Patrick could not find the experience he sought for in a car meet-up, he decided to create one of his own. Then, as in the Beatles’ songs – with a little help from his friends – he created a laid-back yet grandeur gathering for air-cooled Porsches. Could there be a more Californian story?
WHEN KØDBYEN MEETS ZUFFENHAUSEN
Everyone knows that no good happening starts without a before party! And what better place is there in Copenhagen to bring vintage, sometimes heavily customised Porsches than the historical meatpacking district? Slightly cracked asphalt with cobblestone poking out here and there made the perfect carpet to display an entire range of the air-cooled time-machines from Zuffenhausen.
Kødbyen – meatpacking district in Danish – is doubtlessly one of the hippiest districts of the capital. Especially on a Friday night, during a rather Indian summery evening the zone is packed with crowds. Everyone is simply heading to a party or to enjoy a drink in the countless pubs and bars converted from the old butcher shops. I arrived at the meet-up rather late, after the sun had begun to set, unveiling the most beautiful scenery to admire all the cars. Let’s take a stroll through the neon- and streetlight lit alleyways filled with Porsches.
AIR-COOLED PORSCHES AT DUSK
First sight was astonishing! In front of the Baggen night-club stood a beautiful 1975 Porsche 911 Turbo wearing a sleek Martini livery. Next to it, three gentlemen were happily discussing their machines with one’s tee expressing thoughts of the many: “need money for Porsche”. Few steps away and through a gate stood somewhat underappreciated model in the production line-up. Here it looked at home though and admit it! You secretly love a good 912, too!
But the car that stole my heart that night was parked besides an old warehouse and simply shone like a star in its beautiful silver paintjob. The 1957 Porsche 356 Speedster is to me the purest form of a post-war roadster and this particular Danish exhibit is as close to perfection as one can get. Red interior, large racing number decals on the doors and the contrasting red Pegasus Flying Horse underneath the iconic Speedster emblem. Oh, and have you noted the short historical A540 licence plate?!
GETTING READY FOR TOMORROW
More and more visitors and accidental passers-by were strolling around the impromptu open-air Porsche gallery that created itself in the heart of Copenhagen. Some enjoyed a dinner at the collaborating restaurant H15. Some decided to check out the bars deeper in the meatpacking district. There was loud chatter and an audible excitement for the early morning tour next day, as the participants were driving across the Øresund Bridge to Sweden and back. An amazing opportunity for some scenic airborne shots!
To get ready for the big day tomorrow, the crews mostly from Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Poland slowly started to abandon the site. Accompanied by a loud euphony of the boxer engines, Kødbyen slowly got taken over by the usual suspects for a Friday night. Students and youngsters headed to some of the coolest places to hang-out tonight and who knows… maybe they will bump into Magnus Walker, casually having a drink at the bar?
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
