Porsche is mourning the loss of former Australian importer and distributor Alan Hamilton who has passed away at the age of 82.
Alan Hamilton was only nine years of age when his father, Norman, introduced Porsche to his life – and Australia.
In 1951, his father’s chance encounter with noted German racing driver and Porsche tester, Richard von Frankenberg, led to a meeting with Ferry Porsche.
At the time he was driving from Austria to Switzerland to investigate the latest in pump technology for Australia’s nation-building Snowy Hydro project.
The introduction saw Australia become only the second Porsche market outside Europe, following Max Hoffman’s appointment in the USA.
Alan’s career with Porsche in Australia started when he entered the Hamilton family business in 1962.
He began by establishing the marque’s service division in Melbourne and later moved to retail sales.
Alan started a successful racing career in a 1954 VW Beetle and went on the achieve successes in various Porsche sports cars, including a 904/8 Bergspyder, 906 and various 911s — including a special 911 T/R in which he almost secured the 1969 Australian Touring Car Championship.
He led the growth and expansion of Porsche in Australia for many years, during which time he created his landmark Melbourne dealership in Church St, Richmond.
Norman and Alan Hamilton laid the foundations for Porsche in Australia for 41 years, paving the road for a marque that has become one of the Australian motor industry’s longest-standing and most cherished brands.
CHECKOUT: Porsche magic turned Benz and Audis into bahnstormers
CHECKOUT: Six-wheel Porsche for the price of one
