Hans Mezger has died, aged 90. He will forever stand out among the many famous names in Porsche's history. He was the designer of the air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine in the Porsche 911, overall designer of the 917 and its V12 with a 180-degree bank angle, and creator of the TAG Turbo Formula One engine. Porsche and the motorsport definitely lost one of their most iconic contributors.
"Porsche and Me" is the autobiography he wrote with Peter Morgan. Hans Mezger joined Porsche in 1956 and within a few years was responsible for the design of both the early 1960s F1 engine and subsequently led the design of the six cylinder 911 engine. In 1965 he became head of the new race design office under the charismatic Ferdinand Piëch. Mezger led the development of all the iconic race prototypes of the 1960s, climaxing in the unforgettable 917 program. He was a principal contributor to all sixteen of Porsche’s victories in the famed Le Mans 24 Hours. When the McLaren-TAG F1 team came to Porsche for a turbo engine in the 1980s, he led the design and development that resulted in three consecutive F1 constructors’ titles. This personal account of a dedicated and loyal Porsche engineer will touch every enthusiast's heart and underline why the name of Porsche is so respected todaytobiography of Porsche’s most talented engineer. Hans Mezger joined Porsche in 1956 and within a few years was responsible for the design of both the early 1960s F1 engine and subsequently led the design of the six cylinder 911 engine. In 1965 he became head of the new race design office under the charismatic Ferdinand Piëch. Mezger led the development of all the iconic race prototypes of the 1960s, climaxing in the unforgettable 917 program. He was a principal contributor to all sixteen of Porsche’s victories in the famed Le Mans 24 Hours. When the McLaren-TAG F1 team came to Porsche for a turbo engine in the 1980s, he led the design and development that resulted in three consecutive F1 constructors’ titles. This rickly personal account of a dedicated and loyal Porsche engineer will touch every enthusiast's heart and underline why the name of Porsche is so respected today.
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