Porsche Plática 2025
Chiseled in the woods of Knoxville is a rock quarry. Not one that you sneak off with your buddies to cause mischief at, but one that now serves its purpose as a venue. Its called The Quarry Venue. Throughout the year, it’s typically used for events such as weddings. The towering stone walls, spotless pathways and meticulously up-kept greeneries make The Quarry Venue perfect for such extravagant events. So, what if someone were to take that breathtaking venue and fill it with Porsches? Harper Porsche did just that in 2024, and dawned it the name Plática. After great success in 2024; it returned in 2025, far exceeding the standards set in the year previous.
Looking forward to this event was an understatement. I had attended Plática in 2024 and was absolutely stunned in not only the quality of the cars, but the quality of the show itself. To put this event into perspective; it’s almost an insult to merely call it a “car show”. Plática is more like an art exhibit, it is an experience, something that the city of Knoxville hadn’t quite achieved until Harper Porsche began hosting the Plática events. In 2024, I hadn’t yet found myself behind a camera; 2025 was a different story. Being green in experience with video/photo, I found it to be the perfect opportunity to take my new Nikon out for a spin.
After a short bus ride from a parking lot up the road, you walk into a small entry building. Upon entering, you’re greeted by the poster car of the show; a 1977 930 Slant Nose. This one in particular was built by Pat Williams Racing (PWR) out of Memphis, TN. The team over at PWR’s work spoke for itself on this 930, this car was beautiful. One thing I’d like to point out about it, is the small scratches on the bottom of the bumper. Most would consider this as flaws and damages. Though in technicality they are correct, I see it as a sign that the car is driven, as war scars from track days and a subtle reminder that the car is still used for it's intended purpose. To me, those imperfections almost create a sense of perfection; it lets the car tell it’s own story.
Pat Williams Racing’s 1997 930 Slantnose - Photo taken by Christian Copelan
Once leaving the entry building with my choice of a complimentary cocktail or water in hand, I found my way to the RUF display. Here they had a very colorful selection of multiple generations of 911s. My favorite was hands down the Ruby Stone 964. It’s bright pink hue stood out even against the bright yellows and whites of the other 911’s parked next to it.
This was the moment I knew that 2025’s Plática was taking it a step up from the year previous. I remember thinking to myself, “What is RUF doing in a town like Knoxville?” Little did I know what else this event had in store for me.
RUF Display at Porsche Plática 2025 - Photo taken by Christian Copelan
After leaving the RUF display, I observed many other brilliantly staged Porsches. As I kept walking, I found myself in a courtyard filled with Carrera GTs, and Carrera GTs only. I was frankly shocked by the amount of them I was looking at. I remember telling one of my friends I was walking around with “this is one of the few times you’ll ever see one of these cars in person, and likely the only time you’ll ever see this many of them together in person.” He’s isn’t huge about Porsches so he was not as impressed. On the contrary, I was astounded. This was one of those moments where I only took one picture. It felt like a moment to take in without having to capture some sort of media, and to capture the memories instead. I later found out that this gathering of Carrera GTs was a world record, being 18 parked in the same place.
3/18 Porsche Carrera GTs at Porsche Plática 2025 - Photo taken by Christian Copelan
Leaving the Carreras, we walked through a wooded area filled with safari 911s. Normally seeing a safari is a treat, as they’re very rare; but this time it was almost like the calm after a big storm. Thinking I had just seen the pinnacle of the show, I was quite shocked when I crested the hill and saw “Rexy”; the infamous dinosaur faced 911 Le Mans race car.
You don’t have to be a gearhead to be familiar with Rexy. The bright green dinosaur liveried 911 is quite the icon. With multiple Hotwheels being modeled after it, you may have seen this car on the shelves of your local Target. Being able to whiteness this car in person, and not in a video game or as a 1/64 scale diecast is quite the treat.
“Rexy” at Porsche Plática 2025 - Photo taken by Christian Copelan
Looking back, it’s difficult to choose what the highlight of 2025 Plática was for me. Let’s be honest here, having to choose one favorite from a full RUF display, 18 Carrera GTs and the legendary “Rexy” is difficult in it’s own regard. Everything showcased at 2025 Plática was exponentially special, to where it almost feels wrong to choose a “favorite”. I think that’s what makes Plática less of a “car show”, and more of an “experience”. With that being said, I can’t wait to see what “experience” Plática has to offer in 2026.
