Where Have All The Luftgekühlt Gone?

[Peter M]

It doesn't seem all that long ago that about half the cars on a SMT would be air cooled.

On my last drive there was only 1 air cooled car of the 11 there.

Tip posted yesterday that the last PCW run only 2 of 42!

Where have they all gone?

Bought up by hipsters who only go for latte's?

Climate change rendered them unbearable?

Traffic congestion scaring owners into PDK?

Now too dangerous for the modern world? 

Surely they haven't all become garage queens in the space of a few years?

 

 

 

[Pork Chops]

Excellent topic! Can’t wait for the excuses but I reckon you’ve nailed it! I also think SMTs are on the nose. Cars and coffee is for large groups (and for me Highball with its mix of different marques hits the spot) but driving is for smaller more manageable groups that can operate in the twilight zone of not getting caught by the coppers...

[Peter M]

So it seems all the wankers who describe these cars as "visceral" don't actually drive them very far?

[Dalai]

Saving my logbook days for a week circuit of Tasmania next month that@TwoHeadsTas has mapped out for me. 

[Pork Chops]

16 minutes ago, Peter M said:

So it seems all the wankers who describe these cars as "visceral" don't actually drive them very far?

Harsh Peter, but possibly true. Add electric AC, power steering and some Bose noise cancelling headphones and you get all the visceralness and modern comfort for your middle aged ass. Easy.

[OZ930]

I have been curious about this as well.

Maybe being plundered because of our exchange rate 🤔

[OBRUT]

I, for one, stopped going on large group drives years ago. Too many idiots, broken cars, near misses etc etc - and way too many punters that bought very fast cars (GT3’s and modern turbos in particular) very early in their car buying lifetimes, and don’t seem to realise just how fast they are in real world conditions. 

I love an early morning blast - but only in a very small group and preferably with everyone driving similar speed and age cars.  

[hugh]

This is also somewhat reflective of the changing demographic of Porsche ownership. Far more new Porsche’s are being bought than old ones and if owners are wanting to become “active” , typically their local Porsche club is the first step. So of you go to a local Porsche Club event chances are you’ll see more later model stuff than the old stuff. 

Any drives I’ve been on here in Vic are generally a pretty good mix of cars. Plenty of older cars still being driven down here and the AC scene seems as active as ever. 

[LeeM]

 It's probably 50/50 here in SA, as theres usually a good mix of the usual protagonists with air cooled up to GT3's and everything in between. 

 The people I usually drive with are all of similar age and ability (the maturity on my part is questionable) and its usually pretty spirited driving, yet always within sensible limits. Always a good day out with nice people too

[Coastr]

I still see plenty of AC cars out and about.  Lack of time for coordinated events has always been the issue.

having said that there are definitely some older guys with AC cars that prefer the coffee and chat over the drive.

they are also expensive to fix so people do it themselves and take time to get back on the road if getting repairs.

That and a new set of 996 / Boxster owners are enthusiastic additions to the greater set, and there are way more of those on the road.

[Tips]

17 hours ago, Peter M said:

Tip posted yesterday that the last Porsche Club run only had 2 of 42!

Small context Pete, it was a PCW 50th birthday customer drive so expected mostly new. Unfortunately that’s their customer base these days. A number of guys on the drive have AC cars just chose not to take them.

AH C&C yesterday with 151 cars was probably 60/40 water to air which was great to see a number of cars I had not seen before.  Whilst I enjoy the regular social coffee meetups in particular AH and Eastern Classic, I do prefer to drive my car with others. Certainly agree small manageable groups on a short early run suit me best.

[Lucky Phil]

19 hours ago, Dalai said:

Saving my logbook days for a week circuit of Tasmania next month that@TwoHeadsTas has mapped out for me. 

Please share the route when done as I would like to do this soon.  Last time I was down there I took some roads over a mountain past a power station south of Launceston on my way to accommodation at the Pump Station.  The roads to and from the Pump Station were fantastic.  Unfortunately was in a small SUV rental with CVT transmission.

Also I know we have covered the crossing via boat before on here but would also like your comments on the boat experience (personal experience and your car's experience).

[Stew F]

15 hours ago, LeeM said:

The people I usually drive with are all of similar age and ability (the maturity on my part is questionable TRUE ) and its usually pretty spirited driving TRUE, yet always within sensible limits NOT SO TRUE. Always a good day out with nice people too THIS PART IS ALSO QUESTIONABLE

We have fun. Regularly.

[TwoHeadsTas]

1 hour ago, Lucky Phil said:

Please share the route when done as I would like to do this soon.  Last time I was down there I took some roads over a mountain past a power station south of Launceston on my way to accommodation at the Pump Station.  The roads to and from the Pump Station were fantastic.  Unfortunately was in a small SUV rental with CVT transmission.

Also I know we have covered the crossing via boat before on here but would also like your comments on the boat experience (personal experience and your car's experience).

Phil, as a Tasmanian resident who has done the boat trip a number of times, I'll say that the day trip is as boring as batsh*t, better to do night crossing unless no other options or it fits better with plans.  Unless you're travelling as a family or in company (in which case take a cabin), and unless you can get to sleep easily in a chair, I'd suggest a shared cabin which at least gives you a chance of having a reasonable sleep.

If doing a night time sailing, have a good meal before you get on the boat, you'll probably get a higher quality and cheaper meal, and I usually make a Maccas stop for breakfast either end when I get off.

I always try to get to the boat about 1/2 hour before closing, as this (usually) ensures you get on the main deck, and therefore off first.  Any earlier and you could get on one of the other decks which can result in delays getting off.  Had no problems with any of the cars I've taken across - 987, 996, 981, Territory etc....

 

When @Dalai's finished his tour it would be good to get his thoughts on the route I planned, and time taken - eg more or less driving in a day.  Up over the top to Pump House Point can be fantastic, just not int he middle of winter 🙂 

[LeeM]

2 hours ago, Stew F said:

We have fun. Regularly.

 As mentioned yesterday, you don't know what we say about you Stew 🤔😁

[Peter M]

Run from Brooklyn to the Pokolbin in 2015. Ok a few years ago now as looking at the 3rd car along it was before Turbo T became an OTLW......

 

 

Is the consensus really that:

• They tend to be driven by "mature" guys that avoid large groups,
• The really old guys who can't manage drives now tend to just go to c'nc's,
• They're often off the road for long periods being lovingly restored,
• We're in a state of denial and they are getting driven just as often, I just need to open my eyes?

Got to say you're not very convincing!

And conspicuous by its absence was the "Got to keep the kilometres down to safeguard my investment" issue that I know is on many people's mind.

 

I agree they are certainly doing more cars 'n coffee "latte" miles but I think much less other driving (such as "spirited") overall.  Appears almost none are being used as daily drivers now.

I just think its a bit sad that these cars will become a rarity on the road, despite the large numbers still roadworthy and drivers of these cars will be soon viewed as eccentric cranks, much the same way we view riders of penny farthings nowadays. 

 

[Peter M]

Maybe how the world see us:

[Coastr]

I would never manage kms - very few get that much driving that they are in danger of too many kms.

Still think the major reason is the 996 is the entry level 911 now.  And really old guys are crotchety about getting in and out.  And no AC or PS. 
 

well, when I get myself sorted out I’ll be doing lots of driving when I can.

[Harold996tt]

I do a 100km drive at least once a week if not twice. Prefer to drive on my own or in a very small group of similar cars and like minded drivers so as not to draw attention as well as keep things more flexible in terms of start times, routes and expectations. 

The big group drives just don't do it for me. 

[DavidW•GT3•]

I 100% agree there are less of the air cooled cars on road these days.  

Reckon the three key factors are:

1. Increasing value of the cars 

2. More purchases of the air cooled cars by collectors that have bought the cars only as an asset and not a car to be driven

3. Perceived risk of depreciating value linked to usage and km increasing.

It's a tragedy.  

[hugh]

For what it’s worth I daily a 65 912 and I’ll be leaving on a 2500km road trip (including an event at Bathurst) this week in my 77. 

Not many people are as stupid as me though. 

[Tips]

Since I sold the Macan in July I have used the SC as my main form of transport when not on the city bus. Love it, never misses a beat, puts a smile on my face every time, I take the long way every time and just cracked 333k km on a recently rebuilt engine, so couldn’t give a stuff about how many km’s it’s doing 🤣

[LeeM]

 Half the time I just can't be bothered  🙄

[Andy73]

Hmm, we’ve got a decent group here in Vic doing runs every few weeks. Close to half of our cars (mine included) are air cooled. Trust me, there are drivers of air cooled cars using them very much as intended! I tend to steer clear of SMT’s. Good to meet new people for sure, but also like driving in a group where we know who’s likely to sit up the front, who’s likely to sit mid pack and who’s happy cruising along at the back. All without pressure and/or tailgating. 

[ANF]

Air cooled….   🙄