Herbert Linge, former works driver and production manager at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, celebrated his 90th birthday on Monday, June 11th, 2018. This man of many talents not only personally experienced the development of the Porsche company over the past seven decades, but also helped to shape it.
The career of this Porsche institution began in April 1943. Aged just 14 years old, he joined Porsche KG as one of the very first apprentices. When Porsche returned to Stuttgart from Gmünd, Austria in 1949, Linge became the first mechanic, and participated in the production of the first Porsche 356 to be built in Stuttgart.
Herbert Linge was also actively involved in motorsport and can certainly look back on a successful career as a works driver. He secured class wins at the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio, and celebrated overall wins at the Liège-Rome-Liège race, the Tour de Corse and the Nürburgring. But his heart truly beats for the 24h of Le Mans. As a driver, he topped the podium several times as class winner. By 1969, his impressive list of achievements included 90 class victories and six international records.
Unforgettable, the Mille Miglia in 1954 as Hans Herrmann's co-pilot, when the two raced towards a level crossing in the 550 Spyder and the barrier suddenly closed. Hermann and Linge slid deep into their seats, passed under the barriers and finished the race unscathed.
Herbert Linge retired from racing in 1987, but can still be found on race tracks all over the world. Maintaining close ties with Porsche, his decades of experience make him a reliable contemporary witness and participant at historic motorsport events.