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Rahul S.

@aldairion

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Reasonably Good Photos - Unreasonably Long Captions
🚘: @maevethe968 - #GemeraV90

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It's a special occasion, so I had to dress for it. The cars don't need to be the only exotic things on the field.

📸: @Sriveey

#MODAMiami #MODAMiami2025 #RMSothebys #AlfaRomeo #Aldairion #DriveTastefully #DriveFreeOrDie #CarSpotting #CarCulture by @aldairion

This week has been simultaneously the most stressful and the most rewarding one I've tackled lately.

I've had a lot going on that I'm looking forward to sharing, but meanwhile here's a little preview. This is the best I've ever looked; thanks for the shot @AlexFromATL.

#PaganiRaduno #PaganiAutomobili #Pagani #PaganiZonda #Zonda #Zonda20 #Zonda20Anniversary #PaganiZondaC12 #ZondaC12 #HoracioPagani #TheStoryOfADream #VivaItalia #Supercars #Hypercars #ExoticCars #DriveTastefully #DriveFreeOrDie #CarSpotting #CarCulture by @aldairion

Haven't felt myself like this in a while - big ups to @LordSriv for capturing the moment.

I'll try not to dominate my page with Porsche posts, but I'll be riding this wave for a while.

#FlexFriday #MaeveThe968 #Porsche #Porsche968 #968 #VarioCam #TransaxlePorsche #FrontEnginedPorsche #GuardsRed #NoSubstitute #PorscheMoment #Radwood #SaveTheManuals #MomentCars #ShotOnMoment #DriveTastefully #DriveFreeOrDie #CarSpotting #CarCulture #Aldairion #ThirstReserve #ThirstPreserve by @aldairion

My first Luftgekühlt wasn't what I expected. These celebrations of Porsche's air-cooled classics make the most of unique and dynamic venues, subverting the barricades and velvet ropes of traditional automotive festivals and presenting these cars through a more scenic & creative lens.

I was excited when I learned that Trillith, GA, a small town south of Atlanta and home to one of Georgia's many movie studios would be hosting the Luft's 12th round. The idea of a classic Porsches taking over a small, walkable town, surrounded by massive soundstages where some of the biggest movie franchises have come to life had the potential to be something truly spectacular.

Unfortunately, the threat of severe weather clearly threw a wrench into the setup & logistics of this event, and the presentation more closely resembled a heavily curated Cars & Coffee. However the weather concerns certainly didn't scare off too many attendees, and this is where Luftgekühlt the biggest unexpected surprise. I ran into so many friends that Saturday; friends from widely different circles, friends from out of state, and friends whom I've known going back nearly 20 years.

This is what really make these events what they are. I've been attending automotive events, festivals, shows and meets all my life, I've had the privilege of seeing many of the cars displayed at Luft before, but the opportunity to share that thrill with my people is what sets each of these experiences apart.

Shout-out to everyone I got to hang out with last Saturday, and apologies to those I missed. I'll catch you at the next one!

#Luft12 #Luftgekühlt #LuftATL #Trillith #Porsche by @aldairion

I took the V90 out for Labor Day weekend to do what it does best; road-trips.

With its clever & convenient "Pilot Assist" cruise control, exceptionally comfortable seats, and loads of room for cargo, (or indeed camping) this car couldn't be better suited for long hauls, tiny fuel tank notwithstanding. Rather ironically though, if we exclude commuting miles and only consider true, multi-hundred mile, out-of-state road trips, I've actually done far more in the 968, even without the cross-country jaunt.

A 5.5 hour drive to Navarre Beach isn't an especially long haul, but with much of it taking place through Alabama's back roads, it's not especially exciting either, at least until you cross the bridge . It did however give me enough time to stop at Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin, GA. I had grand plans of waking up early enough to catch sunrise at the canyon, but that didn't quite work out. As it happens, I got there exactly when I was supposed to. During my hike, I met a dog named Kane who looked and acted exactly like Toaster. Talk about right place, right time.

The rest of the weekend was a whirlwind of bicycles, beaches, good food, great friends, and tiny dogs.

#GemeraV90 #Volvo #VolvoV90 #LaborDay2026

This is Kane.

Thank you Kane. by @aldairion

There's a saying that goes, "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever." Perhaps that's why you stuck around with us for so long.

A month ago, I said goodbye to my sweetest boy, Toaster. We never really knew how old you were; 15, possibly older, but you gave us 13 beautiful years full of energy, affection, and unconditional love.

From a shelter in South Georgia, to our studio apartment in Kansas, to our place in Texas, to our many homes back in Georgia, your life was a non-stop adventure. We spent thousands of miles on the road together, and you loved every minute. In fact, there wasn't an open car door that we could keep you out of. You really were MY dog.

I'll miss our car rides. I'll miss your velvety ears, I'll miss your chunky head, I'll miss your mushy snout, I'll miss your sausagey body and your dainty little paws. Your thunderous snores, your weapons-grade farts, your gentle coos when you wanted to get up on the couch, and your bellowing bark when you were having the time of your life. I'll miss making your food, I'll miss our battles to trim your nails, I'll miss wrangling you after bath time, I'll miss your zoomies, I'll miss your stubborn refusal to move during walks, and I'll miss your many doggy dreams.

I'm so grateful I could give you such a long life full of friends, family, toys and treats, and I'm even more grateful for the outpouring of condolences & support I've received as I've slowly shared this news. It's a reminder of just how many lives Toaster touched during his incredible journey.

Thank you for the cuddles. Thank you for the kisses. Thank you for all the wonderful times we shared, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to say "Good Bye." I'll see you in every sunrise, in every rainbow, in every snowfall, in every lightning storm, in every eclipse, and in every single critter that greets me. I still have your very first blanket too, if you ever feel like visiting me in dreamland.

You're running free now, and you've lots of friends who are excited to see you again.

Miss you Forever 🩶🤍

#ToasterThePitbull by @aldairion

America on Film, Part 2

Working backwards this time, starting with some shots from California.

I had only fully committed to this trip about a month before we left. My friends had already discussed the idea, but given where I was last year, months out of a job with little luck finding anything new, I wasn't sure if it was something I could pull off. However one night while hanging out with some other friends, one who was in a similar position told me about her three-month getaway to Germany.

In between our conversations, I casually started browsing for hotels near Monterey, not expecting to find anything barely a month out from the biggest car festival in the world. But then I came across this humble little joint; The Oaks Motel in Gilroy, CA. Six nights for less than $600.

The place was anything but glamorous. I loved the signage and setup, but I know nothing about Gilroy, and it's impossible not to feel conspicuous in a bright red sports car with out of state plates. The motel looked like a place for someone on the run, but it had a comfortable bed and everything I needed. The town of Gilroy is a charming place with friendly locals and cute cafes that became a daily stop on my way to Monterey every morning. Adding to the charm is the ever-present aroma of garlic, as this town is indeed the "Garlic Capital of the World," producing over 50% of garlic sold in this country.

This photo in front of the motel may be my favorite of the bunch. Barring some of the newer vehicles in the backdrop, it truly looks like a time capsule. Shout-out to the man on the bike for completing the vibe.

#FujifilmQuickSnap #DisposableCamera #MaeveTakesAmerica #Porsche968 #GilroyCA

Cruising around L.A. with @Wise.Automotive. His 1976 Triumph GT6 was a very welcome addition to our convoy. Cruising through Beverly Hills and Santa Monica with our quartet of European machines felt like playing Midnight Club L.A. in real life. There's simply nothing like it.

Somewhere on Angeles Crest Highway, taking the long way in from Las Vegas.

One of several scenic pull-offs in Utah.

Arriving at Big Horn Lodge, our accomodations in Moab, Utah

Caineville Badlands, between Hanksville and Ca by @aldairion

America on Film, Part 1

I've been taking photos of cars for over a decade, but I've still never truly considered myself "an photographer." I'm a guy who loves cars too much to keep it too myself, and taking photos became the best way for me to share that passion. I'm proud of what I can put together, I know my way around settings and editing, but as always, there's a whole lot to learn.

I'm also fortunate to have met so many passionate, like-minded enthusiasts whom I've become great friends with over the years. Directly and indirectly, they inspire me to try new things, and that's exactly what I had in mind when I brought a couple of Fujifilm Quick snaps along for our cross-country cavalcade.

With two 90s-era cars in the convoy, I liked the idea of capturing some "period" type photo, and with a limited number of exposures to work with and no real camera settings outside a flash, it forced me to think a little harder about what exactly I wanted to capture. I also enjoyed the aspect of not immediately being able to review, reminisce, or retake a photo, and more-or-less "forgetting" the photos I captured until they got developed. I love the clarity & ease of digital photography, but there's something beautiful about the deliberate, in-the-moment nature of film photography. One must be more intentional when shooting on film, and that organic nature makes me appreciate what I capture that much more, imperfections and all.

#FujifilmQuickSnap #DisposableCamera #MaeveTakesAmerica #Porsche968 by @aldairion

Some headlights pop up, some pop out, and some do backflips.

Hideaway headlights are always a treat, even among those who aren't necessarily "car enthusiasts." Improvements in lighting technology and changing regulations have all but eliminated this novel feature from modern cars, and while it's a shame that we don't see them anymore, they don't really have a place today, practically speaking. Today's lighting assemblies are small enough that they don't need to tuck away into the bodywork, the motors that move them add weight, and modern safety regulations deem them a risk to pedestrian safety. That said, there are still some pop-up-adjacent examples out there, such as the Ferrari Daytona SP3 and the Volvo EX90.

There's no denying the charm of pop-ups. There's a novelty to seeing a car's bodywork physically transform to provide a function, not unlike active aero or adjustable suspension. Automakers had so many different approaches to how they presented their headlamps, adding an extra dose of personality to every car that featured them.

I like how the 968's big, round, amphibian headlamps don't immediately look like pop-ups, because they act as a little party trick. However, the C4 Corvette's acrobatic routine may be my favorite of them all. I'm so glad we got these cars together.

#MaeveTakesAmerica #MaeveThe968 #Porsche968 #CorvetteC4 by @aldairion

My last stop before arriving home was Nashville, TN to check out Lane Motor Museum and kick it with @ZeldaTheHedgehog and her '94 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible.

All throughout the trip, we tried limiting our drives to 8 hours per day. That gave us plenty of time to take it easy, make lots of stops, and explore. This leg would be the longest since our first day when we drove from Atlanta to Dallas; about ten hours from Manhattan, KS to Nashville. I intended to start early, but the previous night was far longer than I initially anticipated. It started as a nostalgic solo bar-crawl through my old haunts, enjoying cheap drinks, casual conversations, and incidentally, all the same music I was dancing to when I was a student here. I guess I really did grow up during the best era of club music. It ended with me bumping into and then joining someone celebrating her 32nd birthday. I can't believe I forgot how hospitable the Midwest is. I could have saved myself some money on a hotel.

I woke up far later than I wanted to, but not regrettably so. It was an exciting night after all. However the drive itself was anything but. I passed out immediately upon arriving to my hotel in Nashville, so I could be up early to explore Lane Motor Museum as soon as they opened.

Located in a former American Bread Company bakery building, the museum was established by engineer and collector Jeff Lane. We got our fill of exotic, historic and concept vehicles at Petersen Auto Museum and Monterey Car Week, but Lane satiated my appetite for oddballs. This collection features some of the most unique, eclectic and outright bizarre cars I've ever seen in one place, from wild foreign market sports cars, to amphibious vehicles, micro cars, prototypes, and even a propeller driven car that they started up for the guests.

After the tour, Zelda & I cruised around for photos. The Corvette & the 968 are an interesting pair; same era, similar pricing, but very different approaches to driving pleasure. One thing they do have in common though; some of the coolest pop-up lights ever designed.

Only four hours left to complete this epic journey.

#MaeveTakesAmerica #MaeveThe968 #Porsche968 by @aldairion

I didn't take quite as many photos during the last third of my journey. Perhaps my senses were so overloaded from the preceding two weeks that I couldn't think about what more I'd want to capture. Maybe the post-vacation blues were already setting in, as this is where I felt the beginning of the end of this unbelievable journey. The three of us had stuck together all throughout the drive West, and while we all got scattered about in Monterey, a natural consequence of Car Week, we were still relishing in a shared experience.

However, Colorado is where our paths diverged, as we each split off to make our own respective ways home. While I'd certainly miss exploring and cruising with my road-mates, part of me was looking forward to flying solo for the next few days. That is until my GPS gave me a grim reminder of my chosen route; "Follow I-70E for 469 miles."

They don't call the Midwest "flyover country" for nothing. The drive through Kansas is little more than a flat expanse of farmland, divided by an almost perfectly straight stretch of interstate highway. Even so, that's an insultingly reductive take on America's Heartland, because what it may lack in scenery, it certainly makes up for in heart.

I'll always have a soft spot for the Midwest. I spent my college years here, I met my first love here and I'm glad I got to live in a place so different from what I knew growing up. There is an atmosphere of genuine neighborly kindness that's unique to this region, and it's the reason I made so many close friends during my short time here. I even got to catch up with a few of them along the way.

While the drive over was relatively uneventful, my evening in Kansas was anything but. My alma mater worked out as an overnight stop after Denver. It would be my first time back since I graduated, but given the day-to-day nature of our return trip plan, I didn't consider what might be happening in a college town during late August.

Picture this little 968, packed to the brim with a month's worth of luggage & gear, cruising through town during orientation weekend. I can't say I looked too out of place though. Someone actually asked me if I was moving in.

#MaeveTakesAmerica by @aldairion

Our route back through Utah further highlighted the sheer diversity of scenery this beautiful state has to offer. We drove through southern Utah on our way over, cutting through towering canyons, traversing vast stretches of desert, exploring five National Parks, and enjoying several different glimpses of scenery from mountains to farmlands to forests to more desert.

The drive into Utah from the west isn't quite as varied, dominated by yet more vast swathes of barren desert as we exited Nevada. A distant silhouette of the Rockies was our guiding beacon towards our next destination, and the landscape had one more treat in store for us before we got into town; the great white abyss of the Bonneville Salt Flats, just an hour and a half west of Salt Lake City.

In contrast to the red and gold canyons we carved through on our way over, Salt Lake City's environs are more similar to Denver, featuring lots of greenery and an ever-present backdrop of mountains. We didn't have any national park hikes on the schedule, but we did have our friend and SLC local @IronCityCars to show us around. We couldn't leave Salt Lake without trying one of their many specialty soda shops, and the Miata was a welcome addition to our convoy.

In fact, it was the perfect lead car on our way out the following morning, as we dodged the highways and followed Cascade Springs Drive east. This ribbon of road just east of Provo features stunning mountain views and some narrow sections that made even my little Porsche feel huge.

Next stop; Denver, Colorado.

Fun fact; one of these overlooks is the same location that the new Honda Prelude's promotional photos were taken.

#MaeveThe968 #MaeveTakesAmerica #Porsche968 #SaltLakeCity by @aldairion