Design secrets of the Porsche 964, 959 and Speedster: Ben Dimson EXCLUSIVE interview
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- čas přidán 3. 11. 2020
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You asked, and I listened. After the popularity of my in-depth interview with Pinky Lai, designer of the Porsche 996, many viewers asked for similar recorded conversations with other designers and prominent Porsche people from elsewhere in the 911's illustrious history.
From there I set about making contact with Ben Dimson, designer of the 964. The Porsche 964 was released in my birth year and has since gone on to garner a reputation as one of the most universally admired generations of all time.
Ben has stayed out of the public eye and so his Porsche story isn't too well known, yet this is a man who, alongside his achievements with the 964, was project manager of the first 911 Speedster in the 3.2 Carrera, helped design the exterior of THE MIGHTY PORSCHE 959, as well as the 928 S2 and 944 Turbo. Ben's Porsche legacy is simply huge.
Ben joined me via Zoom from his home in Northern California for a fascinating conversation about life at Porsche in the 1980s, discussing what it was like to be involved on the 959 project, before divulging many design secrets of the beautiful 964. As such the video is a little longer than my other videos but, like my interview with Pinky Lai, I'm hoping you'll find it worthy of your time. Enjoy.
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#porsche964 #porsche959 #porschespeedster - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Cool guy. And he’s right, almost all cars are too big today. Bring back the tailored suit.
What a modest and kind guy Ben Dimson is. Thanks for a very interesting interview.
Agreed! Cheers Kristian.
“A sports car, it needs to be akin to a well-tailored suit” - ‘20 Herr Benjamin Dimson, Designer Porsche AG. .. Truer words were seldom spoken regarding the Porsche 911 series. What an interview opportunity,,, tier-one insight of 944s2, 959, 964 design challenges. .. !
Viewed the discussion 3 times. .. Very generous, Cheers, Vail, Colorado (‘98 993 Carrera 2S original owner)
Lee that was THE ultimate YT video. You hit on all my lusts: the 928 update, the 959 and the 964, all from one gracious, informative designer. I could watch these all day long. Thank you.
Class acts, both Ben and Lee. Enjoyed this very much, thanks for putting it together.
Thank you sincerely.
Thank you for this series of videos. It’s very interesting.
That's my pleasure.
Timely Tribute! Excellent job of giving recognition to a great designer. I've watched this video several times already and still enjoy it. Your video made me realize that I'm a fan of all his work.
Thanks Rodney, I appreciate the good feedback. Glad you've been able to enjoy it many times.
Fantastic interview. I hope Lee does a Part 2, 3, 4 to talk about Ben’s experience with the 928, 944, and even his stints with Mercedes (E series cabriolet) and Audi. And Part 5 as a retired automotive designer watching over his truffle farm. 😊 I wish I could get my hands on a 964 and have him sign it. More so because the Philippines has some thing else other than Manny Pacquiao. 😉
Another fantastic interview, Lee! thank you for doing these. You ask great questions, and allow the designers to respond fully. Plus, your extensive knowledge of the 911 is fully on display! Keep up the great work!
Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words.
Fantastic historic insight (to the proud owner of an early 964, 4wd, D90 wheels, old steering wheel and mirrors). Great guy, still showing some language twists you can only learn in Germany (like adding „neh ?“ at the end of a sentence). LOVED the Schlauchboot story !!!
Ahaha! Yes the rubber dinghy comment was excellent. Pleased to see the interview resonated with a proud 964 owner too.
Great to learn all these information. Amazing insights from Ben👍
Interesting interview. I think he nailed it when he mentioned that they were worried that the 964 looked to heavy, too much volume in the bumpers. That is the exact reason why I have never liked the 964....
What a talented yet humble guy Ben truly is! I really believe one of these companies that reimagine 964’s should take Ben up on his offer and get him on board as a designer. Nice video Lee👏🏻
Cheers Guy! Agreed, I'd love to see what Ben's talents could achieve when free of the restraints of Porsche.
What a fantastic interview - thank you both for that. Ben's insights & thoughts are so spot on.
What a great interview! Lee, thank you for sharing this. It was real pleasure to watch!
The pleasure is mine, Vladislav. Glad you enjoyed.
What a fantastically interesting interview. I now have an even deeper love for the 964 after watching this.
Pleased you enjoyed, Warren!
Top video Lee. I hope many Porsche fans get to see it
Thank you! Yes I hope as many people see the video as possible.
Interesting discussion...thanks for providing it. I've always wondered why the all-wheel drive system on the 959 and especially on all 911 Turbos haven't translated to lower lap times on tracks. Instead, the added weight and possibly the all-wheel drive system itself has had lower track times on the Nürburgring than RWD 911s. Part of the rationale for the 959 AWD homologation was the believed superior track performance it would bring in actual racing as back in the 80's, Audi Quattros on the racetrack were punching way above their performance statistics and AWD was the reason why.
Really amazing interview. He is so passionate about design and it gives an amazing insight into the Philosophy of the 964.
Agreed, I was so pleased Ben agreed to share his stories and insight with us.
Great show. Ben thank you giving us these PORSHCE design. I've owned 2 of your design hoping to get another. Your final creation. 964!!!
Excellent interview Lee. I wonder how the philosophies of Porsche and Mercedes differed when we he made the switch.
Hands down, the best video you’ve ever produced, Lee. There is more historical design info in this video than I’ve ever heard in any other video. Fantastic!
Whoa! What an amazing comment - thank you very much.
I loved my 964 and it's the only car I had that I miss. Just the perfect blend of modern and classic.
Loved that; fascinating interview and yet another fascinating insight into what went into these cars way back when. Thanks Lee, great work!
Cheers Daron!
This interview is simply fascinating! As a big 964 fan it is amazing to get insights of this car's design! Huge thanks to you for bringing that to us!
My pleasure.
Exceptional insight from Ben, great that he's so honest and open, well done!
Agreed, Julian!
Great interview, learnt a lot from that!!
Great interview Lee, I really enjoyed that, following on from your pinky one, I've had the pleasure of owning a 964 before my current 996 so a personal interest and as Ben also said Industrial Design. Keep up the good work.
Excellent, Graham! Glad the interviews have resonated with you personally.
Brilliant video! Very interesting 👍🏼🚗👍🏼
Cheers John.
Fascinating. Thanks for producing.
My pleasure.
Top work Lee.
These interviews are priceless.
Thanks Colin.
@@9WERKSTV no problem mate.
Great video. Love these interviews.
Glad you like them, Henry!
Ka proud! Huwaw Lubao
Amazing. More interviews please. Cheers.
Fantastic interview well done
Genius
What a legacy ❤️🏴
Amazing 😍 what a legend
Thank you for your videos
That was great. Thank you.
Brilliant work getting this interview. I'm a huge air cooled fan (own an 86 3.2 and a 95 993), so I loved hearing such interesting insights and history behind design decisions directly from someone so intimately involved with the 964 development.
Thank you. I'm a big believer that the people who played such a crucial role at Porsche should have their stories told, I was so chuffed Ben agreed to chat.
Great interview. Thanks.
My pleasure.
Very interesting Interview, love the 993
Thanks for an amazing interview
My pleasure.
Excellent !!!!!
Thank you 🙏
My pleasure!
Great video! Really interesting stories about design pressures, influences and decisions and how Ben as so involved. He seems like a great guy. Why is there no Wiki page for Ben Dimson? Know of any documentaries that discuss in detail the story of 964 design and engineering?
Awesome 👏
Good video
All talented Filipinos are underrated, it's not fair
This perhaps offered a lot of technical details than other interviews.
#legend👌🏾
Very cool interview! Unrelated question...where did you get the painting of Little Irish made? Im looking for 996 C4S artwork/posters but for some reason not many people are interested in the look of 996’s 😆
Hit up Justicesketch on Imstagram, he's your man!
A youtube GEM
I live in Northern CA near Napa! I want to meet Ben! lol
964 is the best looking 911 of all time. Aka: “rubber dingy” 😂
Well conducted interview too btw... Well done!!
Thanks! I'm glad the chat resonated.
Feel bad for people living in California and New York. I live in New York.
I find it fascinating that Porsche would employ Asian designers - more likely to push outside European norms - than purely Porsche people.
🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭
Hm
Wow, thanks for a really good and genuinely interesting interview. A learned a lot!
My pleasure!