Max Hoffman turned Americans onto European cars

Paul Ringstrom · Post by **Paul Ringstrom** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 3:30 pm

http://driving.ca/auto-shows/new-york-a ... ark-avenue

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 4:27 pm

That is the best article I've seen about Hoffman's auto marketing business. A large number of European car ads in Road&Track issues from the '50's and early '60's note Hoffman's address in NYC at the bottom of the ad.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 5:04 pm

True enough -- as far as the article gets in the history of the dealer/importer. In addition to the Porsche Speedster, Hoffman is credited with "creating" (encouraging the manufacturer to produce, for the American market) the Alfa Giulietta Spider, the Mercedes Gullwing coupe, and the BMW Bavaria sedan, among others . . .

SDR

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 6:50 pm

Never knew the display floor was revolving.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 7:18 pm

Oh -- and the 2002, too.

Any more ?

SDR

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:02 pm

Hoffman lobbied hard the powers that were at BMW for the timeless 507 sports car.

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/MO16 ... s-i/383376

Scroll down for the history of the car.

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:40 pm

Thanks, Dan. Was the lovely car really designed with one bumper, not two ? Looks almost . . . not quite all there.

SDR

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 10:28 pm

Hard to figure out what was the original wheel for this car.

https://www.autoblog.com/photos/ebay-fi ... 7-bmw-507/

https://silodrome.com/bmw-507-series-ii-roadster/

Nice, whatever. I want one.

SDR

clydethecat · Post by **clydethecat** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 11:14 pm

SDR wrote:Oh -- and the 2002, too.

Any more ?

SDR

Mercedes 300SL Gullwing coupe - it was Max Hoffman who convinced Mercedes to make a roadgoing version of their W194 competition car.

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:50 am

Just one more...
Hoffman tried to drum up some engineering business for Porsche and introduced them to Studebaker. The rear engine Porsche Type 542 prototype for Studebaker was the result...needless to say, Studebaker did not proceed with production.

https://56packardman.com/2016/07/05/gea ... y-porsche/

clydethecat · Post by **clydethecat** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 6:25 pm

DRN wrote:Just one more...
Hoffman tried to drum up some engineering business for Porsche and introduced them to Studebaker. The rear engine Porsche Type 542 prototype for Studebaker was the result...needless to say, Studebaker did not proceed with production.

https://56packardman.com/2016/07/05/gea ... y-porsche/

And between 1958 and 1963, Studebaker were the US importers for Mercedes Benz cars.

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 7:40 am

Seventy years of style

David

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:18 am

Delicious.

DavidC · Post by **DavidC** » Mon Apr 16, 2018 10:50 am

NOTHING GOES TOGETHER LIKE A PORSCHE 356 AND FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT ARCHITECTURE

David

SDR · Post by **SDR** » Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:42 pm

Hoffman -- or, name your favorite Wright house -- is perfectly complemented by a Porsche -- if you're a Porsche fan. Name any "modern
classic" automobile, the marque of your choice, and that car will be the perfect accompaniment to . . . your favorite building ? Well, maybe not a
muscle car or beach buggy -- unless you can't live without one of those !

I see nothing in particular about the Porsche shown that would make it especially appropriate, beyond the unseen: Hoffman's association with
Porsche, as a driver and importer. Couldn't the same be said, in that regard, for any of the other makes that he sold in his (Wright-designed)
New York showroom ?

Okay -- so the writer was indulging himself in a bit of pleasant hyperbole. No harm, no foul. The implication of the pairing might be taken literally by
the novice design aficionado; that's the only harm I see. . .

SDR