Photography by Howard Koby.
Porsche History Comes Alive on the Open Road
The Copperstate 1000 isn’t just a rally. It’s a celebration of rolling heritage. Held from April 5 to 9, 2025, this year’s edition welcomed more than 85 pre-1973 vehicles to the Arizona desert. Many of them proudly wore the Stuttgart crest and carried decades of motorsport and touring legacy with them.
Founded in 1990 by the Men’s Arts Council to support the Phoenix Art Museum, the Copperstate 1000 also benefits the 10-90 Copperstate Foundation, which provides support to the families of injured law enforcement officers. For Porsche enthusiasts, it’s one of the rare events in the U.S. where you can witness a 1965 911 SWB driving alongside a Jaguar D-Type or a Ferrari 275 GTB4.
A Route That Brings Out the Best in Classic Performance
This year’s rally took participants north from Phoenix through Flagstaff and Sedona before reaching the dramatic landscapes of Zion National Park. The route featured a mix of desert highways, alpine switchbacks, and forest-lined roads. It offered the perfect opportunity for classic Porsches to shine.
Among the highlights were a 1970 Porsche 911 “R Gruppe” Hot Rod, a well-preserved 1971 911T, and a 911 Safari that turned heads at every stop. These weren’t museum pieces. They were running strong and driven hard, just as their engineers intended.
Why Copperstate Keeps Porsche Drivers Coming Back
There is a reason so many Porsche owners return to Copperstate year after year. The rally is not a race, but a driving experience built around precision, scenery, and camaraderie. It suits the nature of classic Porsches perfectly, especially the lightweight, nimble cars that reward smooth inputs and driver focus.
The elevation changes throughout the journey let Porsche engines express their unique personalities. At altitude near Flagstaff, the cooler mountain air seemed to breathe new life into air-cooled flat-six engines and provided the perfect canvas for each car’s capabilities.
A Jaguar Took the Spotlight, But Porsche Made an Impression
The rally concluded with an awards banquet, where the 1955 Jaguar D-Type earned the Participant’s Choice Award. It was a deserving win for a legendary car. But many attendees noted the strength and presence of the Porsche contingent. From the number of cars to the enthusiasm of the drivers, Porsche left a clear mark on this year’s event.
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