Bob Holbert passes away
11-15-2007, 08:41 PM
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Bob Holbert passes away
DISTINGUISHED PORSCHE DEALER AND RACER, BOB HOLBERT, PASSES AWAY
Robert McCormick Holbert, one of the first Porsche dealers in the country and a prominent Porsche race driver in the
1950's and 1960’s, died in his native Warrington, Penn., on Monday, Nov. 12.
Born in Warrington in 1923, Bob opened a general purpose automotive garage in the late ‘40’s, moving to the more famous Holbert’s Garage building across the street in 1951 when he started a repair and parts business specializing in
foreign and sports cars. In 1954, Holbert’s Garage became one of the first
authorized Porsche dealers in the country, and continues today as one of the
most well-known and oldest Porsche dealerships in America.
Holbert’s love and knowledge of cars included a distinguished racing career with
awards ranging from The New York Times “Best Sports Car Driver” three separate years to top finishes in the 12 Hours of Sebring. He drove to a record six class victories at Sebring including second overall in 1960. His racing career
started in 1953 in an MG, then moved to Porsches in 1957 after seeing driver
Jack McAfee pass seven drivers – all cars with bigger engine displacements – in
a Porsche 550 Spyder at Cumberland Raceway. His subsequent racing activities in Porsche RS-550 and RSK led to four SCCA National Championships, and a podium finish at Le Mans with Masten Gregory. Holbert also sold Roger Penske his first race car (1958).
“Through his dealership and racing successes, Bob Holbert helped establish the
Porsche brand in America,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, president and chief
executive officer of Porsche Cars North America. “He was a true American Porsche pioneer.”
Holbert later became a Shelby Cobra team factory driver, winning the first
United States Road Racing Championship title in 1963. He and frequent co-driver Dave McDonald won the GT Class at Sebring in 1964. McDonald’s death in a racing accident at Indianapolis several months later was a major factor in Bob Holbert’s decision to retire from racing later that year.
Son Al Holbert, who also helped run the dealership and was the President of
Porsche Motorsport North America, had a brilliant racing career of his own,
winning twice at Sebring (1976 and 81), the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times,
and multiple IMSA titles before his remarkable career was cut short by a 1988
plane crash. His other son, Larry, has been the president and general manager of the family-owned dealership for the past 25 years.
# # #
Robert McCormick Holbert, one of the first Porsche dealers in the country and a prominent Porsche race driver in the
1950's and 1960’s, died in his native Warrington, Penn., on Monday, Nov. 12.
Born in Warrington in 1923, Bob opened a general purpose automotive garage in the late ‘40’s, moving to the more famous Holbert’s Garage building across the street in 1951 when he started a repair and parts business specializing in
foreign and sports cars. In 1954, Holbert’s Garage became one of the first
authorized Porsche dealers in the country, and continues today as one of the
most well-known and oldest Porsche dealerships in America.
Holbert’s love and knowledge of cars included a distinguished racing career with
awards ranging from The New York Times “Best Sports Car Driver” three separate years to top finishes in the 12 Hours of Sebring. He drove to a record six class victories at Sebring including second overall in 1960. His racing career
started in 1953 in an MG, then moved to Porsches in 1957 after seeing driver
Jack McAfee pass seven drivers – all cars with bigger engine displacements – in
a Porsche 550 Spyder at Cumberland Raceway. His subsequent racing activities in Porsche RS-550 and RSK led to four SCCA National Championships, and a podium finish at Le Mans with Masten Gregory. Holbert also sold Roger Penske his first race car (1958).
“Through his dealership and racing successes, Bob Holbert helped establish the
Porsche brand in America,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, president and chief
executive officer of Porsche Cars North America. “He was a true American Porsche pioneer.”
Holbert later became a Shelby Cobra team factory driver, winning the first
United States Road Racing Championship title in 1963. He and frequent co-driver Dave McDonald won the GT Class at Sebring in 1964. McDonald’s death in a racing accident at Indianapolis several months later was a major factor in Bob Holbert’s decision to retire from racing later that year.
Son Al Holbert, who also helped run the dealership and was the President of
Porsche Motorsport North America, had a brilliant racing career of his own,
winning twice at Sebring (1976 and 81), the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times,
and multiple IMSA titles before his remarkable career was cut short by a 1988
plane crash. His other son, Larry, has been the president and general manager of the family-owned dealership for the past 25 years.
# # #
11-15-2007, 08:53 PM
#4
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Wow, I just saw him at the dealership last month and he seemed in good health. I'm glad that I spent a few minutes talking to him. It was an honor to have known him.
__________________
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
