Ironman88

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2020...ger-21199.html

DesmoSD

Talk about a huge legacy! Rest in Peace Hans Mezger.

Bruce In Philly

Does anyone know if he actually made any money from all of that? What is one compensated for his roles?

Peace
Bruce in Philly

ADias

Hans Mezger was an employee of PAG and lately a consulting ambassador and as such was compensated for his work. His goal as young engineer was to work for PAG - he certainly accomplished that. I suspect his intellectual satisfaction was more important to him than anything else.

"His commitment to Porsche has made him reject all offers from other manufacturers throughout his career and he still owned his 911 Carrera 3.0 in Grand Prix white – a coveted Porsche classic which has "his" engine. His loyalty and connection to Porsche was unbroken. He was available to journalists, technicians and interested fans as a discussion partner. The Porsche Museum hosted a celebration for his 90th birthday with family, friends and former companions. He accompanied Porsche at events, trade fairs and festivities until the very end." - https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2020...ger-21199.html

qikqbn

What a legacy and incredible engineer. His contribution to the Porsche family and racing heritage will never be forgotten. RIP Hans. Truly one of the greatest engine builders.... corrected..."engine designer" :^)

Ironman88

Very true ^^^^^

Additional info on Mr. Mezger's history with Porsche...

Nero_tDriveway

RIP Has Mezger, this marks an end to an era

voiceprint1

just curious, in that article it mentions the race engine development, I always thought the production turbo versions of the engine were his designs, as they are referred to as Mezger from air cooled Turbos onward, are the production cars his design?

Ironman88

Reading through numerous accounts of his history with Porsche online, much of it is really sketchy. The design of the original air-cooled 911 boxer engine was his based on numerous references. That fundamental design was carried forward through 1997 in production 911's. Looks like when the water-cooled 911 was released, the engine design deviated onto two different paths - normally aspirated engines with one design, and Turbo's carrying forward with his design. Appears also that his engine design was utilized in GT3's through 2012. (As referenced via Flatsixes.com below, and also cross-referenced through several others.) Several references to his innovative work with turbocharging and use of dry-sump designs in Motorsport - which carried through to certain production 911's.

There are numerous references to Mr. Mezger being a very modest man - one who was reticent about his accomplishments.

"Following meager success in F1, Mezger developed Porsche's most legendary engine, the aircooled flat six engine that would go on to be used in various displacements and developments for all 911s from 1964 through 1997. The watercooled version of this engine continued on in 911 Turbos through 2009 and 911 GT3s through 2012. Porsche's racing team used a development of that same engine through the 991 generation for racing in GT3 Cup on up to Le Mans until very recently."

https://flatsixes.com/porsche-news/f...as-died-at-90/

Bruce In Philly

I read a different story about the his involvement in the boxer engine..... he did not invent it nor design it... but he figured out how to get more horsepower out of it by increasing the diameter of exhaust ports, and decreasing the intake... kinda counter-intuitive at the time. That innovation got him more involved in the evolution of the engine.... but he did not "design it" as legend has it.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

ADias

Yes, that is a myth that has been perpetuated. Mezger did not design the water-cooled engines. As said above he was not the sole designer of the 901 engine; rather he contributed to several aspects of engine design in the air-cooled era. One of his early contributions was valve design, namely the tradeoff of valve opening size intake vs exhaust. Mr. Mezger was an engineer and as such an engine designer, not an engine builder as other said. Design is levels above building.

tgil

Feel privileged to own and drive Porsches with "Mezger" engines. Awesome legacy.

Ironman88

To honor his legacy, hopefully Porsche will publish a book that details what Mezger's true contributions were. There are so many differing accounts of what he actually did.

ADias

Hans Mezger's book - Porsche and Me is well worth having. It seems to be out of print; hopefully it will be reprinted.

Review: https://www.loveforporsche.com/book-...orsche-and-me/

Ironman88

Three of them available on Amazon - used starting at $549. One used on eBay @ $525. I think I'll wait...