A Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 that belonged to the late Hans Mezger—designer of some of the automaker’s greatest engines—is back on the road thanks to Mezger’s son.
Mezger was responsible for the 911’s first air-cooled flat-6 engine, as well as the original flat-12 engine in the 917 race car and TAG Turbo engine in Formula One. His son Oliver finished the task after he died in 2020.
Mezger acquired the Grand Prix White 911 911 from Porsche in October 1979. He kept it all his life. Porsche says that the car was initially a test vehicle. It is common practice for these cars to be sold once their intended purpose has been fulfilled. A flat-6 engine with 197 horsepower is hidden under the engine cover.
Hans Mezger’s Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0
In April 1977, the 911 was first driven on public roads. It covered 17112 miles during testing. Mezger has driven 6,587 more miles in the past 40 years. Mezger submitted a request for a 911 vintage plate in October 2008 due to its past as a testing car. To clear the situation, Mezger needed to contact the Porsche Museum.
Some minor problems had to be fixed before the car could again be driven. Mezger died at 90. Oliver Mezger managed to get the 911 up and running on the anniversary.
Oliver Mezger stated that the car would remain in the family and be driven only on very special occasions. “I will visit my father in the car at the cemetery, and I will definitely take a trip the Porsche Museum to his honour.”
