Lee Sibley By Lee Sibley 11 months ago

Herbert Linge 1928-2024

'Mr Weissach' has left an indelible mark on Porsche during a remarkable decades-long career. 9WERKS pays tribute to the late Herbert Linge

We at 9WERKS are saddened to learn of the passing of a true Porsche legend in Herbert Linge, at the age of 95, during the first week in January. Herr Linge’s contribution to Porsche is remarkable: an engineer, race driver and the man responsible for the R&D centre at Weissach, no less.

Linge was involved at Porsche practically from the start, joining as the company’s first mechanic at its new home in Zuffenhausen, in 1949, and was one of the remaining few who knew Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) personally.

Linge test drove all Stuttgart-built 356s before delivery, and helped set up the Porsche aftersales network across the United States.

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    1949: Herbert Linge shows Ferdinand Porsche the first cylinder block produced in Stuttgart for the early 356
    A handy driver too, Linge enjoyed three consecutive class victories at the Carrera Panamericana (1952, 1953, 1954), as well as class wins at the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Le Mans, with outright success enjoyed at the 1960 Tour de Corse and 1967 Marathon de la Route. 

    Linge was, alongside Peter Falk, the first man to take the 911 racing – and the first to taste success. Linge and Falk achieved first place in their class (and fifth overall) at the 1965 Monte Carlo rally in an early Porsche 911. 

      Linge and Peter Falk with the 911 at the Monte Carlo Rally, 1965
      It was also Linge who, in the late 1950s, suggested to Ferry Porsche the company should use land near his hometown of Weissach for a development centre. Indeed, Linge was Ops Manager at the Weissach Development Centre until 1987, whereafter he consulted for motorsport and helped set up the Carrera Cup in 1990.

      A man who was born, lived and died in his hometown of Weissach, Herbert Linge’s genius has resonated globally and contributed significantly to the Porsche legend, and will continue to do so. May he rest in peace. 

        Falk and Linge recreating their famous picture 50 years later in 2015

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