“The Factory”: Porsche get-together among friends

"The Factory"

With the repetition of an event at one and the same place in 2022, an unwritten rule was deliberately broken: "The desire to experience the flair of the past year for yourself was too great," explains Gädtke. For this reason, it was easy to describe the name of the pre-event as "Home Coming".

For Porsche and industrial romantics: an event among friends

The main event of what is now the eighth edition of the Porsche meeting, which is under Gädtke's label, took place the following day in Wermelskirchen. The industrial romance of today's Rhombus Park, which once revolutionized the face of the city as the location of the Bergische Eisenwaren-Fabrik, was the perfect location for "The Factory". The charming industrial wasteland will be on display in this form for the last time before it is carefully developed into a new district. More than 250 vehicles, from the early 356 to the current 911, have been carefully parked in perfect symmetry on the concrete surface of the former factory premises. It was not only the Porsche vehicles that provided a visual attraction, but above all the combination of shiny paintwork and the red brick of the shed halls made walking through the rows an experience.

“The Factory” joins the list of previous events. The annual theme of the event is derived from the chosen location and at the same time anticipates the atmosphere. This year, the unique condition of the Rhombus Park and its technocratic charisma was the inspiration for the naming. The core of the event this year was also characterized by the coming together of like-minded people - enthusiasts who have now become friends. The program was supplemented by other topics, such as the exhibition by the Belgian photographer Bart Kuykens, who showed a compilation of his works. In addition to exciting tours that the participants drove in their own classic cars, even the youngest visitors could do laps on a challenging Carrera track.

The legendary Plant 1 at the Zuffenhausen headquarters was closer to "The Factoy" this weekend than one might think at first glance - which was not only due to the many vehicles that actually rolled out of the factory gates there. It was the combination of red brick and unique, individual vehicles from the community itself that, together with the presence of Porsche Classic and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, gave the event a special atmosphere.

Porsche Classic and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur with unique exhibits

A crowd puller was the current 1.250 Sport Classic, limited to 911 units. The second of a total of four collector's items from the Heritage Design Strategy revives the style of the 1960s and early 70s and was open to visitors throughout the day. The predecessor of the small series was also an eye-catcher: one of 250 911 997 Sport Classics ever built. A matching 911 Turbo Cabriolet of the current generation was presented with the Heritage Design Package Classic inspired by the Sport Classic interior. Another highlight - and the completion of the special models in exclusive shades of gray - was the graphically staged container, which made the 911 Classic Club Coupe based on the 996 type come alive.

Step by step, visitors were able to use large-scale visualizations to find out about the one-off that was implemented as part of the special request program together with the Porsche Club of America. Although the one-off Sport Gray Metallic was not physically present, visitors were able to delve into details such as the double-dome roof, Fuchsia rims, ducktail spoiler and woven leather interior in a houndstooth pattern.

Unique originals: ORIGINALE 08 becomes a stamped collector's item

Also this year there was a sneak preview of the upcoming issue of the coveted magazine "ORIGINALE". The German version of what is now the eighth copy of the Classic magazine with an integrated parts catalog was shown for the first time as part of "The Factory" and 500 copies were issued to visitors. If desired, two event stamps made the magazine a literally unique original. In addition to the presentation of ORIGINALE 08 and the exhibition of Porsche Classic and the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, visitors could book a driving experience with current GTS vehicles from the Porsche Center Bensberg.

Porsche vehicles of all generations mixed with each other on selected routes in the Bergisches Land and ensured a successful day among friends. The end of the "Streetart.Motorsport.Revival." with a short film festival in the middle of the Rhomubspark area was the conclusion for the 500 or so Porsche enthusiasts. This year "The Factory" was not only a homecoming for Tom Gädtke, but also for all visitors, most of whom have already expressed their interest for next year. Because in 2023 it will again be: "Bringing the people together." Photo credit: Porsche