by Peter Robinson Even now, 27-years after the 928’s death, Zuffenhausen doesn’t like to be reminded that its front engine V8 started life as a replacement for the 911. The 928 arrived in 1977 with a price tag 38 percent higher than the 911, yet Porsche still believed it could replace the classic rear-engine model. […]
Ferrari F50
by Peter Robinson In the beginning, appropriately, it was Piero Ferrari’s idea. Enzo’s second son believed any successor to the mighty F40 should be no less than an F1 car for the road. Piero’s idea, first conceived in 1989 – only two years after the launch of the F40 and the year following the death […]
‘Hacks and PR people’
By Peter Robinson “Journalists are the enemy….do not talk to motoring writers.” The instruction, from the communications department of a famous German car maker, was delivered verbally to its astonished designers. And almost immediately passed on to the ‘enemy’. At new model time and (the now vanishing) motor shows, car makers are happy for us […]
Butzi Porsche: father of the 911
by Peter Robinson Nine months before the launch of the 996 – the first water-cooled 911 – I attempted to arrange an interview with Butzi Porsche, designer of the original air-cooled 911 and son of Ferry Porsche. That was February 1997. However, my attempts to set up a meeting with Butzi at Porsche Design, his […]
Luca di Montezemolo
by Peter Robinson Luca di Montezemolo delivered his last address to invited journalists at the 2014 Paris Motor Show. Elegant, as always, in a grey suit, his legs crossed, his black socks visible as he sipped Italian mineral water from a wine glass, the tension between Montezemolo and his boss Sergio Marchionne was obvious. This […]
Nigel Tait
by Peter Robinson If Nigel Tait had followed the family tradition, he’d have worked in the music and entertainment industries. For over 70 years, the five brothers Tait – Charles Tait, the eldest brother, Nigel’s grandfather – brought Australians some of the world’s best musical and theatrical attractions, including My Fair Lady and Joan Sutherland. […]
Vale Max Stahl
Max Stahl, most probably Australia’s first professional motor racing journalist, has died at the age of 87. Max is best remembered for his time as editor and later owner of Racing Car News, the bible of the sport during the magazine’s glory years of the 1960s to 1980s.
