Anatole Lapine, chief designer at Porsche from 1969-88, passes at 81
Celebrated stylist of the Porsche 928, who also had significant input into the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, has died.

Anatole Lapine, chief designer at Porsche from 1969-88, died on April 29 at age 81, according to a media release issued Wednesday by Porsche. Under the direction of Mr. Lapine, Porsche’s studios produced the 928, 924 and 944 — front-engine coupes that eschewed the 911’s silhouette for a rear-biased profile. The cause of death was not disclosed.

He is also credited with the so-called G-series 911, the first to use an integrated, impact-absorbing plastic bumper. Mr. Lapine, born in Riga, Latvia, worked for Daimler and General Motors before moving to Porsche. It was the second significant loss for Porsche’s design department in the last month. Ferdinand A. Porsche, credited with the design of the 911, died April 5 at age 76.

Source [NY Times]

 

This man deserves more credit (then just two Porsche press release sentences)..the 944 wasn the most beautiful Porsche..but if you look at a 928..or better a 928 GTS..although the car is already more than 15 years old..its design is still fresh. Like the Carrera GT..some designs will stay forever good.

We are with his family and its true - the second loss for Porsche in two months.

His cars and his design will stay forever.

@ DJ: thanks for having put this here..

 

Such a shame; hoping the nouveau 928 looks more like its predecessor and less like a Panamera coupe (maybe that's the 991, not sure )

 

Rip!