The roar of air-cooled flat-sixes mingles with the burble of modern turbos. Under the iconic Ace Cafe sign, a sea of Stuttgart’s finest—from pristine 991 to battle-hardened 924 racers and all-electric Taycan Turbo S in the London evening. This is Porsche Night at the Ace, a monthly ritual where heritage, horsepower, and community collide. We joined the gathering to speak with the man who brought the legend back to life, and the enthusiasts who keep its spirit burning bright.
An Interview with Mark Wilsmore: The Keeper of the Flame
Horst Friedrichs for collectorscarworld
Mark, Ace Cafe has become a global symbol of automotive culture. What originally inspired you to revive this legendary venue, and how has its spirit evolved since then?
It really started with a childhood passion. In 1966, I was nine years old and saw a massive motorcycle rally. The sight of all those aluminium tanks and leather jackets hooked me instantly. I got a bike, learned about the Ace, but it had already closed. You’d hear the stories, see the pictures, and it became this mythical place.
By the late 80s, my peer group and I felt we had nowhere to go that celebrated this rock ‘n’ roll, motorbike, and car culture. We’d sometimes visit the old, derelict Ace site and just wish it would reopen. Then, in 1993, a friend pointed out that 1994 would mark 25 years since it had shut. That was the lightbulb moment. I thought, “We have to have a reunion.” And as soon as I committed to that, a second lightbulb went off: if it’s mobbed, that’s the evidence we need to get it reopened.We held the reunion in 1994, and several thousand people turned up. The game was on. That reunion has been held every year since, and in 2026, we’ll celebrate both the 32nd reunion and the 25th anniversary of the cafe being fully reopened as you see it today.
The Ace hosts nights for countless marques. What, in your view, is the unique essence of a Porsche Night?
It’s about a shared interest, but filtered through our stage in life. We’d all love a Jay Leno-style garage, but we compromise based on our age and circumstances. When you’re 20, fun might be a loud, screaming engine. At 55, sitting in traffic on your way to that fun changes the dynamic. Porsche captures that evolution. It’s a car for those who have graduated in their passion but haven’t lost the thrill. It’s performance with precision, a different kind of noise and smell, but the same core adrenaline.
The Ace is the spiritual home of the cafe racer. Do you see a direct parallel in how Porsche owners customize and drive their cars?
Absolutely. It’s the same story of emulating race heroes, the pursuit of speed, and the camaraderie of sharing stories of what broke and how you fixed it.
It’s interesting you mention “cafe racer”—that term was originally coined by the press as a term of *contempt* for kids who weren’t ‘real’ racers. The youngsters adopted it as a badge of honour. The Japanese manufacturers saw this and created the “sportsbike”—a bike off the shelf with clip-ons and rear sets. You didn’t have to modify it yourself; it was ready to go. And arguably, that’s what Porsche did with the car. They engineered a machine that delivered top-tier performance, making that racing ethos accessible. It’s the four-wheeled embodiment of the same spirit.
Car culture is changing rapidly with electrification. How do you see petrolhead gatherings evolving, and where does Ace Cafe fit into that future?
There are massive changes, both in technology and in society. Planning policies are designing out private vehicle ownership from new housing. Meanwhile, the speed of electric vehicles is phenomenal—I have kids on illegal e- bikes passing me at 70 mph!There’s resistance, of course, especially from my generation, because we love the sound and the smell. That’s the great thing missing from electric. But the Ace is adapting; we have an electric night and charge points. The future is uncertain, but the need for a ‘home’ for enthusiasts isn’t. This place is a motor addict’s home, and that won’t change, regardless of what’s under the bonnet.
Community is at the heart of the Ace. How important are these events for keeping car culture alive for the younger generation?
It’s increasingly difficult. We’re facing an ever-ageing population that votes for legislation designed to stop ‘anti-social’ behaviour—which, to a 17-year-old, are all the *social* things they love to do. We have a Public Spaces Protection Order outside that prohibits revving engines and skids. It’s so hard to accommodate fun now that we’ve even had to close on Friday nights because we can be blamed for what happens on the public road.In this climate, a place like the Ace is more vital than ever. It’s a sanctuary where that passion can be shared legally and safely. It’s where the next generation can see, hear, and feel what this passion is all about.
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After speaking with Mark, we headed into the pulsating heart of the Porsche Night to meet the owners who bring the legend to life.
You’re here with your beautiful 1978 924 Championship car. Tell us about it.
I got it as a barn find in 2021. It had been in storage since 1991. Before that, in the 1980s, it was used as a race car in the Porsche Club GB championships. All the modifications are original to that period. I’ve just tried to keep it exactly as I found it. It drives in Class D, which was for more or less stock cars, so the engine is original, but they could lower the suspension and upgrade brakes.
Are you a regular at Porsche Night?
I am! I started in 2022, and I try to be here every month. It’s a nice place, and I’m lucky with the weather. It’s quite close to me, so I finish work at five, jump in the car, and if London traffic isn’t too bad, I’m here in about an hour. It’s super nice, especially in the summer.Matt:I am! I started in 2022, and I try to be here every month. It’s a nice place, and I’m lucky with the weather. It’s quite close to me, so I finish work at five, jump in the car, and if London traffic isn’t too bad, I’m here in about an hour. It’s super nice, especially in the summer.
(Turning to another owner: Abraham) And tell me about your 991.
I’ve only had it since October. My wife bought it for me as a birthday present because she loves it more than my previous 997. She thinks this one is better because it’s four-wheel drive!
Is this your first time at a Porsche Night, or a regular thing?
It’s a regular thing! But I used to come here back when you’d bring your car and play the music loud because you had the best one. This was in the 70s and 80s when I started coming, so I’ve been coming a while.
And what is your ritual? You look very stylish with your jacket and your orange hat.
(He laughs) It’s just cold today!
As the night drew on, the Ace Cafe continued to thrum with energy, a testament to a culture that is as much about the people as it is about the machines. Under Mark Wilsmore’s stewardship, this hallowed stretch of tarmac on London’s North Circular remains a timeless home for anyone whose heart beats a little faster at the sound of a well-tuned engine.
