PISTONS & PASTRIES

A curated meet for Racing and Sportscars

The beginning of an idea

It all started with a thought – born in a garage, fueled by passion and inspired by the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the roar of vintage engines.

In San Francisco, Cars & Coffee gatherings have long been a cult phenomenon. Early in the morning, enthusiasts roll up their garage doors to share their treasures with like-minded souls.

No ego, no competition – just pure enthusiasm, great conversations and a shared heartbeat for the elegance of engineering and the aesthetics of the open road.

And I thought: „why doesn’t something like this exist here“?

Right here in the heart of Baden-Württemberg – where names like Mercedes, Porsche and Bosch are as much a part of everyday life, as pretzels and construction sites.

This is the birthplace of the automobile and yet, passion often stays hidden behind closed garage doors. “That can’t and shouldn’t stay that way,” I thought.

And just like that, the idea was born: Pistons & Pastries.

But would it work? Americans love to show what they’ve got – open, proud, coffee cup in hand.

And the Swabians?

They get things done – clean, precise, no fuss. But when it comes to showing it off?

They tend to keep it low-key. No big talk, no drama. Just that signature swabian mix of quiet charm, honest craftsmanship and deep respect for what matters.

But sometimes, all it takes is a small spark to ignite something bigger.

The plan gains momentum

Weeks before the actual date, preparations were already underway.

The concept was clear. The event would carry a touch of French flair – a hint of Le Mans, Alpine, croissants and high-octane fuel.

Still, it would be open to all makes and models, classic or modern – because what truly matters is the passion.

Pistons & Pastries was born.

A celebration of contrasts – fine French pâtisserie meets grease-stained hands.

Who could possibly resist?

And because style and identity are everything, one thing was immediately clear:

We needed a strong visual identity.

Once again, we turned to British illustrator Guy Allen – a master of his craft, known for his elegant and automotive-inspired artworks.

He delivered a design that perfectly captured the spirit of the event. Elegant, full of life, centered around a hand-painted Berlinette as its iconic centerpiece.

---

Croissants, Chrome & Chaos-Weather

The pastries came from Le Petit France in Stuttgart – 200 pieces, freshly baked, aromatic and still warm on that Sunday morning. The plan was perfect. The parking lots across the street at Astor Plast were meant to fill with classic cars and race machines from all over southern Germany.

But then… the rain came. Non-stop. Cold. Grey.

Less Côte d’Azur, more Nürburgring in November.

Cancelling? Not an option.

So we changed the plan on the fly – Pistons & Pastries moved indoors.

Into the stylish showroom of alpineLAB. And there, between gleaming Berlinettes, the rich aroma of coffee and fresh croissants, something happened that you simply can’t plan: Atmosphere.

Just after nine, it began.

The first enthusiasts arrived – some bundled up like it was the dead of winter, but all smiling, determined. The cold, wet weather quickly separated the boys from the men.

But the true fans? They didn’t flinch. If anything, the rain gave the moment a heroic edge. It was about more than just showing up – it was about passion and grit.

A dozen die-hards arrived in their cars, through the pouring rain.

The Astor Plast parking lot eventually began to fill, after all – with true classics, driven by people who bowed neither to reason nor to weather.

Amid the steam and soaked asphalt, they stood proud, gleaming despite the downpour.

A handful of A110 Berlinettes, two stunning Alfa Romeo GTAs, several Porsche 911s and even a Cobra Daytona that looked majestic – rain be damned.

---

Back – Where It All Began

She once left my collection, taken in by another admirer – a fellow enthusiast who had fallen for her undeniable charm.

But now – strapped to a trailer, raindrops shimmering on her curves – she came back.

Back to the place of her rebirth. Where she was brought back to life, where parts became history and passion met precision.

A moment thick with emotion – almost like reuniting with an old friend.

The little Berlinette sparkled beneath the rain, as if to whisper: “I’m home.”

---

Coffee & Croissants — A Taste of France

Meanwhile, the alpineLAB showroom was buzzing.

The conversations grew deeper, the faces more familiar – like friends who hadn’t seen each other in years. The sound of voices grew into the soundtrack of the event, effortlessly rising above the background music.

---

A Breath of Le Mans

Then, another highlight showed up. The arrival of the Porsche 910, delivered by Orca Restorations.

A rolling work of art – a tribute to the golden age of Le Mans.

As the low-slung race car was pushed into the side hall, the room fell silent.

Only the soft tapping of rain, the click of camera shutters and quiet awe.

For a moment, it felt like we were in the paddocks of the Circuit de la Sarthe.

---

The Spirit Lives On

For me as the organizer, time flew by in a blur.

No sooner had the doors opened than the showroom was filled with voices, laughter and eyes lit up with excitement.

Familiar faces stepped through the door – friends, long-time companions, fellow enthusiasts – and among them, many new and curious visitors who hadn’t let the weather stop them.

I would have loved to talk to each and every one of them, hear every story, savor every encounter.

But the hours raced by, carried along by the rhythm of conversation, the clinking of cups and the occasional roar of vintage engines outside.

Despite the challenging conditions, the response was overwhelming.

In the days after the event, my inbox overflowed with messages – full of gratitude, joy and genuine enthusiasm. Not a hint of frustration about the rain, not a single word of regret.

Just positive feedback, warm messages and honest appreciation.

So really – who says the Swabians don’t know how to live with passion?

Sure, they can be reserved. But when they open up, they do it with heart, with intelligence and with a deep respect for what they set out to do.

For everyone who stayed home this time: let the photos take you along for the ride.

Smell the coffee, taste the croissants, hear the growl of old engines and admire these rolling works of art.

And who knows – maybe we’ll see each other at the second edition of Pistons & Pastries in 2026?

Au revoir!

PS.: A special thank you goes to Cyntia Knura and Rainer Selzer for the amazing photos. Without their passion and talent, these memorable moments wouldn’t have been captured so vividly and beautifully.

We sincerely appreciate your support!