Bob Holbert
 

Friends:

Just got AutoWeek and noticed an obituary for Bob Holbert. He died Nov. 12th of pneumonia, aged 84. In view of the impact he had on Porsche in the U.S., he deserves acknowledgment here.

Bob started Holbert's Garage near Doylestown, Pa., in 1951 and became a Porsche dealer in 1954. He sold Roger Penske his first race car, in 1958. As a driver, he won his class at Sebring a record six times, earned four SCCA national championships, and had a podium finish at Le Mans. In a Cobra, he won the first USRRC championship in 1963.

I had the privilege of having Bob take me for a test-drive in a new 914 in late 1969 or early 1970 (but I decided to keep my 912). He seemed a very modest person, and I've always felt that he was under-rated as a racer. His son Al, who died in 1988 while flying home from Mid-Ohio, was better known as a driver and Porsche team manager, but Bob started it all.

Just read that same notice in AW. I concur with your remarks; being just a toddler in the 50's, I mostly remember watching Al as a racer. I'm sure his father was a major influence on him and I probably rubbed elbows with Bob at some point in Al's time, without even knowing. He's with Al now...

Frank
Thanks for posting this. I hadn't heard about it.
I never had the pleasure of meeting Bob Holbert but he was indeed an important (and under recognized) figure.

Joe

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the post !

I agree, definitely worth posting this stuff. I wish I had some type of Porsche Historically Significant map, so I could meet some of these people or visit some of the great places before they're gone. It wouldn't have been that hard to get over to PA either.