When I came across this somewhere, it immediately brought to mind this:
In case you missed my post on uncovering the story behind this picture, here it is again. I got the story directly, from Florian Schwaab of oldtimer-markt.de, who wrote me the following:
In 1968 or 69 (Bob believes it’s 1965 but the car shown in the picture is a 1967 Model. This can be recognized by the two slots over the front bumper and the non leaf spring setup on the rear. And also George Gallion was present. But he joined Opel in 1968) there was a big test day at the Opel proving ground in Dudenhofen. The engineers and Managers where all there to compare the Opel products with the competitors from Ford, VW etc.
At noon they all sat together to have lunch and Bob rushed in to call Hans Mersheimer (technical director): “Hans, someone in the US told me the Kadett is not safe. It can easily flip over when performing the J-Test.” “No, that’s impossible” replied Hans, “the Americans are always on the road with insufficient tire pressure. Our car is safe”.
“I’ll show you, but someone has to explain me what to do on the J-Test” said Lutz.
The J-Test is driving straight ahead with around 50 mph then applying the hand brake and turning the steering wheel to one side extremely. The car should not flip over in this situation.
Five minutes later Bob sat in that poor little Kadett speeding to 50, applying the hand brake and turning the steering wheel to the left. The Opel showed heavy roll and eventually flipped over.
Bob climbed out of the wreck, lighted up a cigar and waited triumphantly sitting on the Kadett for the engineers and managers to come back from lunch. Mersheimer was very embarrassed because Lutz had proved him wrong in front of nearly every important engineer of the company.
Well Bob’s picture is one of a triumphant hunter. I think those ladies are a little sheepish. (As they should be.) At least Lutz could attest to the saftey windshield working.
FWIW although I think Lutz is completely nutz but as a “guy’s guy” I admire the heck out of him.
I don’t know. That photo of him makes him look particularly effeminate…posturing an affectation…
(I almost inserted a slur about another part of the world here, but I caught myself…)
Anyway I don’t think (hope) that that particular picture doesn’t capture his essence – except maybe for his attitude.
The last corporate car guy on the planet with a pair, and you think he might be kinda effeminate? Is that a joke? Not manly enough for ya, stud?
Okay, fine. Show us on the dolly where they touched you…
Seriously, HE JUST ROLLED A NEW CAR, ON PURPOSE, IN ORDER TO SHOW UP AN ENGINEER. I support it on general principle just to take an engineer down a peg. OF COURSE he’s posturing an affectation. It’s HILARIOUS. He’s wearing a tie and his jacket is buttoned, AND HE ROLLED A CAR ON PURPOSE, BECAUSE HE COULD.
Ah, Mister Tactful…you chose your handle well.
I said he LOOKED a bit effete there…not that he WAS.
I’m probably more of an admirer of his than most people here. Maximum Bob, like Lido, has many, many flaws; but his strengths outweighed them; and Chrysler would have been better in his hands than, as it turned out, those of Eaton.
But…admit it!…doesn’t he look a bit prissy in that snapshot?
Not a bit.
He looks like a guy that is secure enough in himself that he doesn’t give a damn if others see a funny pose he struck while having a leg up on a car he overturned as him being girly.
I’ll totally gay this up and say he totally looks like a babe here. Something about corporate douchebag caucasian men from the 1960s gets me every time.
I don’t know, I think that pose makes him look like William F. Buckley.
You sometimes see someone who is simply better at life than someone else, or yourself, or myself.
I have my moments, but far less often than I’m sure Bob Lutz ever has.
Looking at those classy chickas all I can think of is “Doin’ A Clinton: All They Need Is A Cigar”.
and totally feminine. Good thing Lutz wasn’t showing his chubby navel.
Must have been a lot of bouncing going on during that rollover.