LUFT 10, At Universal Studios Backlot, The Air Era Was Breathtaking

Image Credit: Albert Wong (2024)

LUFT 10, At Universal Studios Backlot, The Air Era Was Breathtaking

Luftgekühlt, a marque display in its tenth year - LUFT 10, held at the iconic Universal Studios Backlot, was a celebration of the air-cooled Porsche era in a setting as cinematic as the cars themselves. An Octoberfest celebration of a German marque in the most dramatic way (event held October 5, 2024).

Image Credit: Lou Leto (2024)

The event, founded by Patrick Long and curated by renowned photographer and filmmaker Jeff Zwart, brought these timeless machines into a realm where they could be appreciated not just as cars, but as pieces of art. With the backdrop of movie sets, familiar yet surreal in their detail, this year's Luftgekühlt brought together automotive enthusiasts and artists alike in a way that transcended the typical car show experience.

Image Credit: Albert Wong (2024)

The air-cooled Porsches on display ranged from early 356 models to the legendary 917 race car, with nearly every variation of the 914, 550, and 911 in between. Attendees were encouraged to walk around each vehicle, giving them a chance to study every curve, contour, and color. Whether it was the sleek silhouette of a 550 Spyder or the muscular lines of a 911 Turbo, the craftsmanship of these classic machines was on full display, free from barriers and placards that might distract from the aesthetic experience. Visitors could discover the subtle details of each car, appreciating rare hues and custom finishes in a setting that felt intimate despite the event’s large scale.

Image Credit: Albert Wong (2024)

What set LUFT 10 apart from other automotive events was the seamless integration of these legendary cars into the environment of Universal’s backlot. The juxtaposition of timeless Porsches against the faux cityscapes of New York streets and European plazas created a surreal atmosphere, where the cars seemed to inhabit a dream-like world. 

Image Credit: Albert Wong (2024)

Each scene felt carefully crafted, as if the cars were actors placed in their perfect roles. It was an experience designed not just to showcase the vehicles, but to create a dialogue between art, history, and engineering.

Image Credit: Albert Wong (2024)

Photographers, both amateur and professional, found themselves in a playground of possibilities, with the challenge of capturing the perfect shot as the light shifted throughout the day. Unlike traditional car shows that rely on placards to provide information, Luftgekühlt kept distractions to a minimum by offering a simple QR code on each windshield. This left the cars to speak for themselves, allowing the visitors to focus on the form and beauty of the machines without the intrusion of excessive signage. The growing crowds made photography a test of patience, but those who waited for the right moment were rewarded with stunning images that captured the cars in their full glory.

Full photo album / CLICK Image >>> - all images by Albert Wong (2024)

The atmosphere was one of quiet reverence, where enthusiasts of all ages wandered the backlot with a sense of awe. Luftgekühlt is not just an event for Porsche aficionados; it’s a gathering where the art of automotive design is celebrated. The event attracts people from all walks of life, from seasoned collectors to younger fans just discovering the brand’s legacy. This shared passion for air-cooled Porsches creates a unique sense of community, where conversations about engine types and body styles blend seamlessly with discussions of aesthetics and culture.

Image Credit: Lou Leto (2024)

Though this is always a planned one-day event, Luftgekühlt offered a concentrated dose of nostalgia and inspiration that lingers long after the cars have been packed up and driven away. It’s an outdoor museum, where each car is a piece of rolling art, and every attendee becomes a curator of sorts, exploring the legacy of one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. The air-cooled Porsche era may be a thing of the past, but at Luftgekühlt, it feels as fresh and relevant as ever.

Image Credit: Lou Leto (2024)

The magic of Luftgekühlt lies in its ability to take something familiar—an iconic car brand—and present it in a way that feels new and exciting. By situating the event in a film studio backlot, the organizers tapped into the sense of wonder and creativity that comes with Hollywood. The cars were no longer just machines; they were characters in a story that was both timeless and ever-evolving. The setting elevated the experience, turning what could have been just another car show into a cultural event.

Image Credit: Albert Wong (2024)

For those lucky enough to attend, LUFT 10 was not just about the cars, but about the experience of seeing them in a whole new light. It was a reminder that the passion for these machines transcends time, and that the air-cooled era, though long gone, continues to inspire and captivate new generations of enthusiasts. Each Porsche on display was a testament to the enduring appeal of design, engineering, and the sheer joy of driving. And in the context of Universal Studios’ backlot, these cars became something more—icons of a bygone era brought to life once again.
[ht: Lou Leto, Albert Wong - reflections and images]

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: LUFT 10, Luftgekühlt, Patrick Long, Jeff Zwart, Universal Studios, Backlot, Hollywood, Emory, RUF, Jerry Seinfeld, Lou Leto, Albert Wong, Octoberfest, The EDJE

A Shared Memory of Tim Considine 1940-2022 - Journalist

Tim Considine pictured in one of his favorite summertime activities and elements - observing and photographing the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2018. Tim was being honored for his historical connection in having owned and raced in this car ... that was later awarded first place in Class N-2 for OSCAs 1955-1960. This car,  S/N 1168 Morelli-bodied MT4, is a more streamlined version of the previous MT4 designs. It was especially built for an American customer in late 1955. Considine wrote to Jodi Ellis (good friend and assisted Tim in designing his published works) after the event. “The OSCA I bought new in 1957 – I was 16 – and sold and lost track of in the early ’60s, won its class at Pebble, restored beautifully by the current owners in my livery. Note that two of the judges were Derek Bell and Tom Kristensen!” Image Credit: Albert Wong - Motor Press Guild (2018)

A Shared Memory of Tim Considine 1940-2022 - Journalist 

By: James E. Groth - Founding Member, Motor Press Guild - March 5, 2022

Like most young boys of my era, I watched Tim Considine, the young actor, faithfully portray Andy Hardy of The Hardy Boys and I identified with him as Spin in The Adventures of Spin and Marty . However, I know him because we were both charter members of the largest professional group of automotive journalist and public relations professionals. In 1983 our group was known as IMPA West. We didn't like being ruled by IMPA so we split from them to form The Motor Press Guild.  As a board member, Tim’s direction added to the positive and most productive era MPG had on behalf of both members and manufactures. 

At the time I was West Coast Advertising & Public Relations Mgr. For Jaguar Rover Triumph, so I would loan Tim cars from my press fleet for his articles. Tim would show up in his Mini Cooper and  conversations would ensue primarily on British cars or the Industry.  Tim proved to have extensive knowledge of both historic and current facts and his spin on things added a bit of humor and wit.

Moving to 1999, enter David E. Davis journalist, publisher, editor and founder of Automobile Magazine. A man who’s size and girth was only overmatched by his lifestyle and personality. He had just retired from the business to promote his book. He is about to do his first book tour and I am told he is nervous about this side of the business. The book is titled “Thus Spake David E. The Collective Wit & Wisdom Of the Most Important Journalist of Our Time”.

I am now at Hornburg Jaguar / Land Rover as Director of Marketing & Public Affairs and Jaguar Cars Inc. has partnered with David E. to promote his book.   Given that "LA is the Car Capital of the World” yes, it's a natural to have the launch event on Sunset Blvd with the original west coast importer of Jaguars. I get call saying they are sending over books, have a nice event.

LA competes nightly for peoples attention with unique events so you need an edge to gain audience. I decided that the book signing would be more interesting  to attendees if they knew of its contents and David E’s makeup. And this would be best accomplished by having David E. interviewed by a journalist that grasps David E. place in the industry. I made one call to Tim as the guy for this role.  I explain the formate as drinks and hors d' oeuvres followed by his interview of David E., Q&A, coffee and desert to take place during the book signing.

Tim liked the format, read the book and structured questions. To get everyone settled in before hand I had a dinner for David E. with Tim and Bruce Meyer President, Petersen Automotive Museum. We were at Overstreets, Beverly Hills in a private room enjoying fine dinning, wine and cigars. We were living like it was 1999, exactly as David E would write it.  David E. was in a fine spirits and the night was full to storytelling…

For the event I cleared the Sunset showroom floor and placed an XK 150 along side of my Series I E-type Coupe and adding seating.  Hornburg Jaguar was a member to the Petersen Checkered Flag so Bruce Meyer spread the word of the event to members. As a result we had nearly a 100 attendees for the evening including Carroll Shelby and his wife. 

Attached is the personal letter David E. sent saying “if I get another book written, I’ll call you first” - signed “Freedom & Whiskey”.

Document, as shared by James Groth

Tim was his masterful relaxed, professional-self with questions giving David E. space to entertain with his answers and style. This was a truly memorable evening for the auto enthusiast attending and an opportunity for me to get to work and know Tim on a different level.  David E. later wrote me about how much he  appreciated everything saying …"your program was nonpareil”.  

The news mostly covered Tim's passing regarding his extensive acting career but there was a whole other professional career Tim excelled at too, that, as a Journalist. 

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: Tim Considine, IMDB, David E. Davis, Automobile Magazine, Bruce Meyer, Carroll Shelby, James Groth, Albert Wong, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, The EDJE

Ed Carpenter Talks MAVTv500, ECR Team Performance, & CFH Racing 2015

Ed Carpenter - Driver, Team Owner, Oval Track Specialist. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Ed Carpenter Talks MAVTv500, ECR Team Performance, & CFH Racing 2015

Ed Carpenter has been racing since he was 8 years old and balanced racing and education throughout much of his career. Carpenter graduated from Butler University with a degree in Marketing in 2003, a few weeks before he won the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Carpenter always has been interested in things with engines.

Carpenter started Ed Carpenter Racing for the 2012 season and is the lone team owner/driver in the Verizon IndyCar Series. He is driving in the oval races for 2014, while Mike Conway is driving the street and road courses. In their second event together, Conway won the 40th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

This past weekend in Milwaukee Ed Carpenter finished in the top 10. Carpenter is successful at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. He won ACS's 2012 MAVTV 500 INDYCAR Race. Last year, he came in 2nd for ACS's 2013 MAVTV 500 INDYCAR race (lost to Will Power). He also won the pole position for back-to-back INDY 500 races - May 2013 & 2014. As an INDYCAR driver and team owner ... over last weekend, he announced that that his team (Ed Carpenter Racing) is merging with Sarah Fisher Hartman racing for the 2015 season.

As we go into the final two races of the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series (VICS) championship season, Ed Carpenter answers a few questions and expresses his hope that Ed Carpenter Racing team ends the VICS season in the Top 5 in points accumulated.

One and a half weeks before the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season finale MAVTv500 race at the AutoClub Speedway, Ed Carpenter attends a USC Football practice and attempts a Field Goal. Image Credit: Albert Wong (2014)

Interview Questions:

AUDIO  FILE  OF  INTERVIEW  >>>

(1) This year has been a pretty good year for Ed Carpenter Racing if one looks at the points the Fuzzy's Vodka DW12 has been able to post up with only 2 races left - Mike Conway's road course at Sonoma and Your Auto Club Speedway's super oval. The two of you are ranked right next to each other - Mike Conway is sitting at P22 and you are at P23 ... but the car's total points have the effort ahead of 3 out of 4 drivers on the two 4 car teams - Ganassi and Andretti - at P7 with 1 Pole and 3 wins.

A) Has this unusual team mix of specialists delivered the results that you expected? B) Has this mix of fielding a car with specialists for a season been done before?

(2) How do you see the team/car finishing the season with these two races that are left? - First, Mike Conway's road course at Sonoma and Second, Your Auto Club Speedway's super oval performance.

Last weekend, before the race was held in Milwaukee, the announcement came out that Sarah Fisher Racing, a team you use to race for and Ed Carpenter Racing were going to merge to compete in the 2015 season and form a 2-car team.

(3) With announced merger forming CFH Racing, what do you see as the advantage in a multiple car team over your present one car/two driver efforts which are impressive on their own? (4) Did the use of the new aerodynamic kit packages for 2015 enter into your decision to merge and grow the team? (answered in context of previous question - skipped)

(5) Does this merger forming CFH Racing allow your current sponsor Fuzzy´s Vodka to gain more exposure?

(6) Do you see the multi-car teams having an advantage in this area of sponsorship and racing platform changes?

(7) Sarah Fisher's driver, Joesef Newgarden seems to be becoming a hot commodity right now in the paddock. Do you intend to try and retain Joesef Newgarden as a driver on this new 2-car team?

(8) Will you continue with the 2-driver line up in one DW12 with Mike Conway taking up duty on the road courses as part of this 2-car team? ... or will you eventually join Sarah in a team management role?
ENDS

MAVTv500 Tickets >>>

... notes from The EDJE

Helio Castroneves visits SoCal to promote MAVTV 500

Helio Castroneves explains to fellow Brazilian and 3rd year L.A. Galaxy midfield player #8 Marcelo Sarvas where a driver needs to look in order to key the Dallara DW12 to a corner ... the tires are the frame. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Helio Castroneves visits SoCal to promote MAVTV 500

With only three races left in the 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series season, Auto Club Speedway teamed up with their sponsored driver Penske Racing's Helio Castroneves. The last race of the season is a double-points paying event that is scheduled to run for 500 miles at Auto Club Speedway in just 21 days on Saturday, August 30.

The event is called  MAVTV 500 IndyCar World Championships and rightfully so. Helio, who currently is in a strong position to get his first Verizon IndyCar Series championship, sits only four points behind points leader and team-mate Will Power who is also looking for his first title.

It turns out that with only three races left in the 2014 season - Milwaukee, Sonoma, and Auto Club Speedway - roughly 11 drivers are within mathematical striking distance of capturing the Verizon IndyCar Series World Championship Trophy, the Astor Cup. Helio felt that a driver would need a 75 point lead to feel safe ... that would be 75 points ahead after the next two races of the 1 mile bullring at Milwaukee and the 2.52-mile road course at Sears Point near Sonoma.

Helio points out that he is beginning to gain a collection of shoes to the gathered media. First, of course, are driving shoes ... then dancing shoes because of his winning appearance on Dancing With The Stars ... and now a set of professional soccer shoes with this L.A. Galaxy/MAVTV 500 promotion. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

At StubHub Center, formally Home Depot Center, in Carson California, a group of Brazilian athletes came together to draw media support to have folks become aware of the L.A. Galaxy soccer season and the end of the Verizon IndyCar Series season.

Three-time INDY 500 winner, Helio Castroneves was joined by L.A. Galaxy players Marcelo Sarvas and Juninho along with Auto Club Speedway President, Gillian Zucker.

The next two home games for the L.A. Galaxy feature the first Friday Night Fireworks & Lights Show, presented by Best Foods tonight with L.A. Galaxy meeting the San Jose Earthquakes - 8/8 7:30PM PDT and Back to School Night where the first 15K fans will receive a tin lunch box courtesy of The Flame Broiler with L.A. Galaxy meeting the Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 8/23 7:30PM PDT.

After about three tries, Helio Castroneves strikes an LA Galaxy practice soccer football toward the net situated on the practice pitch at StubHub Center. Fellow Brazilians and LA Galaxy Midfielders Juninho (left) and Marcelo Sarvas (right) look on. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

The joy of GOOOOOOOOOAL was expressed by Helio Casterneves (flying off of the pitch) as he placed the ball through the upper right corner of a protected practice net. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2014)

Helio Castroneves started his day showing his interest in Little League Baseball at the opening of a contest in San Bernardino. He met with the teams gathered and threw out the first pitch prior to the Southern California/Nevada Little League Western Regionals at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino.

The coastal North San Diego County club Encinitas Little League, along with 11 others, take their first steps toward Williamsport, as the West Regional and the Northwest Regional begin with four games at Al Houghton Stadium in San Bernardino. Helio Castroneves gives the team a thumbs-up! Image Credit: Albert Wong (2014)

Here, Helio Castroneves follows tradition as he removes his cap in observance to the pre-game playing of the National Anthem. Image Credit: Albert Wong (2014)

This excerpted and edited from Press Enterprize - 

Instead of entering Al Houghton Stadium in a single file line, Bonham said players will walk in more as a group and closer to the stands. Instead of the usual picnic the night before the opening ceremonies, this year’s regional teams have a planned night out Thursday at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino for a professional minor league game involving the Inland Empire 66ers of the California League.

“This is showtime for these kids,” Bonham said.

In the West Region, teams come from California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Utah to compete. In the Northwest, teams hail from Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Most arrived Wednesday and will stay at the on-site dormitories during the duration of the two tournaments, which wrap up with championship games Aug. 9. The Little League World Series begins Aug. 14 in Williamsport.
[Reference Here]

Image Credit: Albert Wong (2014)

Encinitas Little League catcher gives Helio some tips on throwing out the first pitch. Image Credit: Albert Wong (2014)

After his So Cal MAVTV 500 Auto Club Speedway promotional swing, Helio participated in a test at Sonoma Raceway.

This excerpted and edited from San Jose Mercury News -

Eleven IndyCar drivers completed a one-day test session at Sonoma Raceway on Thursday.

Participants included Team Penske's Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Juan Pablo Montoya, Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan and this year's Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay of Andretti Autosport. Power won last year's Sonoma race.

It marked the final test scheduled for the 12-turn, 2.38-mile course before race weekend. The Grand Prix of Sonoma is Aug. 24.

"Driving a Verizon IndyCar here is a rush. There's really no comparison to driving a stock car here," said Montoya, who won a NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Sonoma in 2007.
[Reference Here]

Then after the Grand Prix of Sonoma, the season comes to an end ... in August ... at Auto Club Speedway ... Saturday, August 30.

Come one and come all to see just who will celebrate winning the new 2014 Verizon IndyCar Series Astor Cup.

... notes from The EDJE